Indeed, women are underrepresented in STEM. In the US, women hold just 29% of STEM jobs although they make up 50% of the college-educated workforce. With studies repeatedly indicating that scientists are perceived as predominantly male, Rai hopes that she can lead by example and inspire more girls to put a lab coat on.
“I can really, honestly, tell you pursuing a career in STEM was not something that was openly encouraged when I was growing up as a kid. It was not openly discouraged either, but certainly not encouraged. And even when I look back at my generation, my immediate family, my extended family members, all the girls were encouraged to pursue careers in teaching, law, accounting, etc. When I look back, I'm actually the only girl in my extended family in my generation that actually ended up pursuing a career in STEM --specifically in science and clinical research,” said Rai.
But in hindsight, Rai acknowledges that she can also see where her family was coming from at that time. “I definitely did not fit the stereotypical image of a scientist. You know, an individual, a male if I may say, in a lab coat with safety glasses working, many hours in the lab,” said Rai. “I guess you could say it was the rebel in me. I just didn't believe that I should be conforming to standards at that time.”
