On February 11, the world celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and—as it has for the past seven years—the University of Padua and VIMM marked the occasion with an event dedicated to exploring the role and contributions of women in research, medicine, and entrepreneurship.

A highly anticipated and well-attended event, it brings together every year dozens of people eager to hear the stories of inspiring speakers representing different fields in which women express their passion, talent, and determination to succeed in a world that is still too often male-dominated.

This year’s edition—held in the stunning setting of the Botanical Garden of Padua, and opened by VIMM Scientific Director Nicola Elvassore—featured an exceptional lineup of distinguished women: Professor Alessandra Biffi, Director of the Pediatric Oncohematology Clinic at the Padua Hospital; Federica Draghi, Founder of XGEN Venture SGR; Onelia Gagliano, researcher at VIMM; Professor Anna Gregorio, Astrophysicist at the University of Trieste; Cristiana Vignoli, CEO of Hemera Pharma; and Chiara Montanari, the first Italian woman to lead a mission in Antarctica.

Stimulated by the questions of writer and journalist Francesco Chiamulera, the six speakers engaged in a lively and thought-provoking discussion, starting from their personal stories, reflecting on the challenges they faced, and concluding with advice and encouragement for young women approaching the world of science and research.

“I listened with great attention and enthusiasm to the testimonies and reflections of the wonderful guests of this seventh edition,” emphasized Giustina Destro, President of the Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research. “Women in Science is an event I am deeply fond of, as it connects and shares with everyone the stories of women who have managed to turn their passion for science and research into a profession and a life path that has opened up new directions and new ways of studying and understanding the world — for themselves and for all of us. My hope is that in the future, figures like these will no longer be exceptions, but the norm.”