Women in Science: Building Careers, Shaping Futures

Join us for our first online Women in Science: Building Careers, Shaping Futures event - a dynamic series celebrating and amplifying the voices of women making significant contributions in the biofilm community.

We are bringing together leading experts to share their personal journeys, professional insights, and the challenges and triumphs they’ve experienced along the way.

Why Attend?

🔬 Gain Inspiration

Our speakers are talented scientists and researchers who are pushing boundaries in their fields. They will share honest, practical advice about building a career in STEM, from the first steps to leadership roles. Attendees will have the opportunity to pose questions to the speakers before and during the event.

📈 Shape Your Future in Science

Whether you’re just starting out or already established, this event will give you practical takeaways to boost your confidence, refine your career goals, and strengthen your professional skills.

🌍 Celebrate Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We believe that the future of science depends on diverse perspectives and equal opportunities. The event will feature a moderated discussion with our speakers on how we can break down barriers, create supportive environments, and drive change together.

Speakers

Kirsty Salmon – Chief Scientist and VP Bioenergy & Hydrogen at bp

Talk title – Don’t Just Work, Thrive: Building a Fulfilling Career

Kirsty is bp’s Chief Scientist and Vice President of Bioenergy & Hydrogen Technology. Since joining bp in 2011, Kirsty has been responsible for leading global research teams across the United States, United Kingdom, China, and India. Her team is dedicated to the development of low carbon, sustainable technologies. Throughout her career at bp, Kirsty has held various leadership positions in research, including Head of Research for bp biofuels, Director of bp’s biosciences center, and Senior Advisor for biosciences, low carbon technologies, and the circular economy. Kirsty holds a PhD in Microbiology & Immunology from McGill University in Canada and has prior experience in both academia and a biotechnology biofuel/biochemical startup.

Asma Ahmed – Associate Professor in Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Nottingham

Talk title – Going with the Flow: A Journey Through Careers, Continents, and Wastewater Biofilms

Dr Asma Ahmed is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Nottingham, where she leads research on developing sustainable and novel processes for the treatment and valorisation of industrial waste streams using fungal biofilms and microalgae. She has diverse experience across academia and industry in three countries, having previously held research and academic positions at OSU (USA), BITS Pilani (India) and Canterbury Christ Church University (UK), and led upstream bioprocess development at Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (India).

Lydia Mosi – Deputy Director Administration at the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP)

Talk title – The Path to Career Independence: Capacity Building Lessons From Buruli Ulcer Research

Professor Lydia Mosi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology and Deputy Director for Administration at the West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens at the University of Ghana. Her research focus is unearthing transmission of the neglected tropical skin disease Buruli ulcer (BU), caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU), developing early diagnostic tools for the disease, and studying antimicrobial resistance in secondary infecting bacteria. Prof Mosi attained her BSc in Biochemistry and Zoology in 2003 from the University of Ghana and a PhD in Microbiology in 2009 from the University of Tennessee.

Claire Hodge – Regional Agriculture Director, Scotland & Northern Ireland at HSBC

Talk title – Building a career in Science and Agriculture

Claire Hodge’s career has been rooted in agriculture from the ground up, shaped by her upbringing on a dairy farm in the Scottish Borders. Passionate about connecting science with real-world farming, she has worked across the potato industry, research, and agri-tech, always focussed on turning innovation into practical solutions. Her Nuffield Scholarship gave her a global perspective on food systems and the importance of future focussed farming. Today as Regional Agricultural Director for HSBC in Scotland and Northern Ireland, Claire supports farmers and agri-businesses to adapt, grow and thrive, helping ensure agriculture remails resilient for generations to come.

We welcome attendees of all genders and backgrounds. We encourage everyone who supports diversity and inclusion in the biofilm community to join us for an inspiring and engaging experience.