Celebrating women in STEM: Dr Helena Qin and Dr Betty Exintaris reflect on their journeys

Celebrating women in STEM: Dr Helena Qin and Dr Betty Exintaris reflect on their journeys

Dr Helena Qin (left) and Dr Betty Exintaris (right).

In recognition of International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February 2025, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of Dr Helena Qin and Dr Betty Exintaris, two inspiring women leading the way in STEM. Their dedication to advancing scientific research and fostering diversity in the field serves as a powerful reminder of the impact women can make in shaping the future of science.

 

Dr Helena Qin: Pioneering research in cardiopulmonary diseases and championing collaboration in science

Dr Helena Qin is a translational pharmacologist dedicated to developing innovative treatments for cardiopulmonary diseases, a leading global cause of death. As the head of the Cardiovascular Pharmacology Laboratory at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, she leads pioneering research on “pro-resolving medicine”, a revolutionary approach inspired by nature to restore organ function and improve patient outcomes.

Dr Qin’s passion for science began in childhood, driving her to pursue biomedical science at the University of Melbourne and later complete a PhD focused on drug discovery. During her postdoctoral research at the Baker Institute, she specialised in preclinical cardiopulmonary disease models, further honing her expertise. In a testament to her resilience and leadership, she established her own research team at Monash University during the pandemic, navigating challenges while fostering a collaborative and innovative team culture.

Committed to advancing biotechnology in Australia, Dr Qin believes collaboration is key to innovation. Her team works with national and international experts to create transformative therapies addressing urgent patient needs. By fostering creativity and teamwork, she empowers her researchers to push boundaries and solve complex problems.

Dr Qin credits much of her success to the mentorship and support she has received throughout her career. Inspired by the generosity of her mentors and collaborators, she is dedicated to paying it forward by fostering a supportive scientific community. She believes collective effort can drive scientific breakthroughs with meaningful impact.

As a passionate advocate for diversity in leadership, Dr Qin champions inclusion within Australia’s scientific community, amplifying diverse perspectives to drive innovation. She is particularly committed to inspiring and supporting the next generation of scientists, especially young women, to pursue careers in STEM.

Dr Betty Exintaris: A lifelong passion for teaching, research, and advancing diversity in STEM

Betty’s passion for STEM began in childhood when she was captivated by The Curiosity Show and eagerly recreated the experiments at home – often with great success and minimal damage to the family house!

By the age of 15, Betty was already tutoring her brother’s friends in mathematics. This passion for teaching continued as she pursued her Bachelor of Science at Monash University, where she continued tutoring.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Betty faced a pivotal decision: to follow a career in teaching or pursue honours and a PhD. She chose the latter, embarking on a journey in which she combined her interests in mathematics/physics and physiology through the study of electrophysiology. During her Honours and PhD, Betty investigated the mechanisms underlying contractility in the male and female urogenital tracts. She trained under the guidance of Professor Helena Parkington and Dr Rick Lang, and worked alongside Professor Mollie Holman in the Neuropharmacology group.

Throughout her studies, Betty also seized opportunities to teach a diverse range of students, including those studying science, biomedical science, nursing, and medicine. Upon completing her PhD, Betty was appointed as a junior lecturer at the Victorian College of Pharmacy (now the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences), in the same year she graduated. Betty will celebrate 25 years at the faculty in 2025!

Currently, Betty Exintaris serves as the Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching, as well as the Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Monash University.

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