Like a lot of scientists, I am very goal-oriented, so after I got my Ph.D. in toxicology, I set out to become a leader in my field by the time I was 40. To get there, I knew I had to be acknowledged by the top researchers in my field, get invited to speak at important conferences, organize conferences, and publish in top journals.

I’m happy to say that, with the support of my mentors, colleagues, family, and friends, I was able to achieve my goal. However, it wasn’t without interesting blips along the way.

When I was in my 30s, I was invited to my first committee meeting full of senior researchers, and I was put into a small group to brainstorm about new program ideas for a funding agency. I recall that I was one of two women among the 40 people in the room. We were divided into groups of five, and we sat in little conversation circles. One of the men in my circle was a leading researcher from a prominent U.S. university. He was sitting next to me with his back turned, which, by the way, is difficult to do in a circle. His body language made it clear that he was uncomfortable with me being there, and every time I tried to speak, he cut me off.

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