Women in research: Eva Arnspang Christensen
On the occasion of the International Women’s Day on 8 March, please meet some of our women researchers from SDU and learn their perspectives on being a woman in research.
Eva Arnspang Christensen
Eva, arnspang@igt.sdu.dk, is an Associate Professor and Head of Research at SDU Biotechnology, the Department of Green Technology (IGT). Among other things, Eva does research in proteins in mammalian cells. She does research in cancer, progeria, diabetes, nanoplastics, cardiovascular diseases and artificial blood vessels.
There is a general notion that the research world is dominated by men. Do you accept this notion? And how have you yourself managed to build a career in a ‘man’s world’?
Yes, technical and scientific research is rather male dominated. Most of my colleagues are men, and all my management colleagues are men.
”I have a lot of nice colleagues and good friendships at the university, and I don't think about being a woman when we talk about research and results.
I have a lot of nice colleagues and good friendships at the university, and I don't think about being a woman when we talk about research and results. I have had absolutely amazing managers, and because of them I haven’t had to think about the fact that I’m a woman in my employment; focus has always been on my achievements. I have received a lot of praise and have turned to good and skilled role models along the way.
Who are your biggest role models? Do you have someone you take example from?
I have been lucky enough to have amazing mentors. I have turned to them after meetings or during lunch breaks at conferences, and they have given me some good advice on how to manage in the research community. They have been both men and women. Men are good at seeing clearly, making a good decision and sticking to it. The women have given me good advice regarding male colleagues and patterns in academia. If I should mention one role model by name, it would be my Postdoc Supervisor Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz. She works at the Janelia Research Campus and is the perfect mixture of fearless, clever and sweet. She has an absolutely fantastic career that only few dare to dream of.
What do you dream of achieving with your research?
I hope to make a difference in the technical part of medical research. I would like to help develop therapeutic treatments. I am currently considering writing applications for research into two new children’s diseases: The aim is that with technical research it will be possible to revolutionise treatment options for terrible diseases that affect children.
