“I’m an introvert by nature and I’ll speak up when I have to. But most of the time, I’m quiet because I’m taking in the information,” says Simpson, who teaches in the Department of Pediatrics at 91ƷϳԹ’s Faculty of Medicine. “Staying quiet helps me to connect with people or pick up on things that others might miss. It was puzzling that they equated quietness with being less capable or that they thought being a woman was somehow a barrier.”
Overcoming stereotypes and preconceptions is one of the unfair challenges that women in STEM face, says Simpson. “It can be very difficult when you’re the only woman or if you don’t have allies. I was lucky to have mentors all around me. My parents are both food scientists and they’re my biggest cheerleaders. I’ve also learned so much from my friends, my classmates and my colleagues. Mentors really make a huge difference.”