We, at MilkshakeFromMars, aim to share the stories of women in science. We aim to celebrate their work and highlight their achievements even in highly discriminatory academic and work environments. In order to talk about the reality of the world of STEM, we believe it is absolutely essential to actually sit down with some of the women who live and thrive in the community. Today, we are featuring our conversation with Martina Fabricci, a leader and pioneer in the biotechnology world.

Martina Fabricci is a leader in the science world as the Founder of the company CRISPR Biotech Engineering. Although she only founded the company recently, she has already carved out her place at the forefront of biotech research and education. We strongly urge you to check it out. She serves as an inspiration for many as a women in science, a pioneer in her field and a leader. We are extremely honored to feature her, so let’s get right into the conversation.

Can you tell us a little about your work? What you have accomplished/ hope to accomplish with your research?

Hi, I am Martina Fabricci and I am a research scientist and the founder of CRISPR Biotech Engineering (CBE). My company is primarily involved in genome editing. This involves scientific research across different cellular engineering, biotechnology, and genome editing domains.

At CBE, we strive to accelerate CRISPR research (learn more about it here!). Our efforts have received global recognition and appreciation. We strive to change peoples’ lives, not just in research, but also by providing quality education at an affordable price. This way, we can remove gender disparity.

In August 2020, CBE launched ONUMMIX™ as a trademark of CBE to incorporate Immunogenomics research in the company’s portfolio. In fact, ONUMMIX™ was the launchpad for the first international Immunogenomics e-learning platform. It addition to e-learning, ONUMMIX™ provides scope for innovation and discovery in immunogenomics, which has immense potential for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies for diseases, something that could not be achieved until now.

In the near future, I plan to launch a career hub. This would provide dedicated 1-on-1 coaching, organize career seminars and offer online accredited programs to those interested in advanced topics. This includes topics such as Next Generation Sequencing, Molecular Aging, Business of Biotechnology, Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, etc. Moreover, the HUB will include important categories and help in the fields of entrepreneurship and women in STEM.

We want to ensure equal access at all scientific levels of education through our accredited programs and mentoring. Our mission is to increase the number of young and adult scientists who have relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

On a personal note, I would like to inspire researchers, especially young women, to choose a career in medical research. The demand medical researchers will increase in leaps and bounds in the future.

What motivated you to work in the field of genome editing and with CRISPR?

I have a background in science with years of experience in the investment sector focussing on biotechnology. Currently, I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Immunogenomics. I have done my post-graduation (MSc) in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology with advanced courses from Harvard and MIT. Both my academic background and experience in investment helped me identify the growing scope of investment and research in the medical field.

Research in genetics has helped us to understand the role of genes in various diseases. This offers a possible cure for diseases that could only be dreamt of previously.

Research scientist
Research: Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

The medical research community clearly needed a powerful genome editing technology. This would help edit the genome of an individual in any desired way. CRISPR technology helps to do exactly that. It is undoubtedly one of the cutting-edge technological advancements of the era with immense potential in medical research. So, genome editing with CRISPR has a huge prospect in the future both in terms of research and investment.

In your opinion, what makes for a successful scientist? Is it different for women?

Although there is no exact winning formula, there are a few aspects that need to be considered before embracing a career in science. Scientific careers can be tough and challenging. One might need to face a lot of hardships, obstacles, and even failures, and I am no different. I have had my shares of hardships. I would also like to say that it is very easy to lose sight of your career goals or your focus when you meet such obstacles. Having said that, I also believe, passion for career and determination can help a scientist to wade through strong tides in their career.

It has been the sheer excitement of research and discovery and learning new things with each passing day that has kept me motivated all through my career. I am sure it will continue to do so. In addition to being self-motivated, being knowledgeable in yourfield is definitely a key component. That being said, being able to think ‘out of the box’ and being open to new ideas certainly contribute a lot to a successful scientific career and to any career for that matter.

Certainly, it is difficult for a woman to pursue a career in a male-dominated field and carve a niche for her own. It has been challenging, not only to work, but also to achieve recognition for the efforts that have been put in and simultaneously lead a successful organization. However, facing these additional challenges only make your accomplishments bigger!

CRISPR Biotech Engineering has been consistently featured in top publications such as the Daily Mail. It has been up for several awards this year, including being finalists in the Great British entrepreneur Awards. Congratulations! Do you think it’s important that scientists are recognized for their work? Has it motivated you, personally?

Recognition is an important aspect in any career as they celebrate the hard work that has been put in and I am really happy that my work has been appreciated globally.

CBE has featured in Daily Mail, The I Newspaper, The Mail on Sunday, and the Southern Metro edition. The courses offered by the company have obtained CPD accreditation for their programs that are now globally acknowledged. I have also published two books focused on CRISPR Technology. We support and collaborate with leading university’s biological societies in the UK including Cambridge, Oxford, and Imperial College.

CBE has been nominated in the ‘Great British Entrepreneur Awards’, ‘Wales StartUp Awards’ as ‘Medtech StartUp of the year’ where CBE has been selected as a finalist. I have also been awarded the ‘WomanWho Achieves Awards as Start-up of the Year’ with commendable appreciation from the judges for being able to carve a niche in the space that is still believed to be male-dominated. I have also been selected as the finalist for the ‘SME National Business Awards as Young Business Person of the Year’ and ‘Women’s Business Conference as Woman in STEM’ slated to be held for the next year. On a personal front, these awards and appreciations do keep me motivated to strive harder to achieve my goals and ambitions.

What is it like to be in a leadership position in the scientific world?

It has always been something that I have dreamt of. It feels empowering to be able to lead the way and show it to the rest of the world. However, a leadership position is not only about fame and recognition, but also about overcoming the challenges that leadership offers. The leadership position also endows certain responsibilities that I as a leader have towards my company and the global community at large, especially during such challenging times that we are facing presently.

Is there someone or something specifically that inspires you?

I do not think that someone, in particular, has inspired me. What inspires me today me is making education more accessible. I am able to change the lives of people across the globe by providing them not just research but quality education at an affordable price. This also helps to reduce gender disparity in STEM. We have students and academicians not just from the UK, the US, or Europe, but also students from countries far from the UK such as Mongolia and Kazakhstan who benefit immensely from our programs. I often receive appreciation emails from people who have benefitted in their careers from the various courses offers by CBE. This not only inspires me but also motivates me to continue on my journey.

What has your path been like as a woman in science?

Being a woman in science can be lonely at times, making it more difficult to work with professional networks, to voice my concern, raise an important issue, get recognized with fewer represented role models to draw inspiration from. Like every other woman scientist, I have encountered gender stereotypes and biases throughout my career. There have been oblivious male colleagues who fail to realize the perspectives of a woman scientist. However, I have never expected the path that I have chosen to be an easy one. So I prefer looking at the scenario from an alternate perspective. Being a woman scientist with very few peers allow me to be a role model for others to achieve their career goals and to inspire others to pursue their career in science.

I also believe that with more and more women entering the scientific domain, the scenario is likely to change soon and our voices will be heard. In fact, platforms like the ‘WomanWho Achieves Awards ’ recognizing the achievements of a woman in male-dominated fields make me hopeful about the future.

CRISPR Technology therapeutics
CRISPR can lead to many potential cures for a number of diseases: Photo by pina messina on Unsplash

Can you tell us a little about whether you think it is important for more female scientists to be seen in the forefront of advances in science such as Emmanuelle Charpentier is for CRISPR? What, if anything, does this achieve in your experience?

It is indeed inspiring to see women being recognized for their efforts everywhere and especially in science that has been traditionally considered as a male-dominated arena. Emmanuelle Charpentier is a pioneer in CRISPR technology and deserves to get recognition and appreciation at the highest level. Awarding her and Jennifer Doudna the Nobel Prize (in Chemistry 2020) was recognition for their efforts and a mark of respect to other woman scientists. Celebrating 11 February, as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, is again an acknowledgement of championing female scientists across the globe and the need for women in science.

With more and more women pursuing scientific careers, I am sure we will overcome the gender biases that exist and help create a harmonious scientific community.

What is something you wish young girls starting out in STEM knew?

Globally there is a disparity in the proportion of men and women involved in STEM. Although scientific and technological advancements encourage girls to take up STEM subjects in schools, many fail to see a successful future in the field. One of the key reasons is the lack of role models they see. But being a woman scientist in a leadership position, I would like to inspire and motivate young girls and women to pursue STEM subjects. At the same, increasing recognition of women scientists globally will inspire young girls to follow their dreams. ( in other words #representationmatters)

Any closing advice for young female scientists, or society in general?

I would like to congratulate young female scientists for having chosen a career in science. I would sincerely ask them to believe in themselves; to break the traditional stereotype notions of gender, race, and class; and, to remain self-motivated to succeed in their career.

Martina, we thank you for your work and service to the global community and the community of young women in STEM today. Leaders like you help carve out a more equal world for future generations and we are excited to see all that you do in your STEM career. xTeamMilkshakeFromMars

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