At QBI, investing in women scientists at every stage of their careers is a priority: from students exploring research for the first time, to early-career investigators launching independent labs, to faculty building global collaborations. We know that supporting women in science isn’t only about access; it’s also about visibility, mentorship, and clear pathways to leadership.
Since its inception, QBI has been committed to advancing equality in the scientific community, including a sustained focus on balanced representation across our activities, from speaker lineups to training opportunities. In practice, this means intentionally building symposium and program rosters that reflect the breadth of talent in our community, with a consistent emphasis on strong representation of women scientists.
Through initiatives such as the Fellowship Program, Internship Program, International Visiting Scholar Program, and Institut Pasteur-QBI Faculty Mini-Sabbatical Program, QBI creates pathways for learning, leadership, and cross-disciplinary exchange. These programs reflect our commitment to cultivating a scientific community where talent can flourish and bold ideas can take shape.
In the sections that follow, we highlight women participants from each program, sharing how these experiences have supported their growth, expanded their work, and helped move their ambitions forward.
The QBI Fellowship Program exemplifies how early-career researchers are empowered to launch independent labs while benefiting from mentorship and a collaborative environment. The program supports early-career scientists or “fellows” in establishing independent research programs within UCSF’s environment. Fellows are small group leaders with Principal Investigator status, enabling them to secure extramural funding and grow their labs. They benefit from both independence and mentorship from senior scientists. This combination creates a platform for developing the next generation of leaders in quantitative biology and biomedical research.
Faculty Fellow, QBI UCSF
Leah became the first woman to receive a QBI Fellowship. Her work focuses on developing new methods to edit protein backbones and studying how these alterations reshape protein structure and function, to advance the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
The QBI Internship Program introduces students and young learners to the world of science and research. Participants gain hands-on exposure to projects that support our research community, in media production, event support, and design, helping them explore career paths and develop practical skills. By engaging directly with QBI’s collaborative environment, interns build connections and gain insight into how their interests could translate into future scientific pursuits.
Abraham Lincoln High School, 10th grade
Media Intern, QBI UCSF
Martina explored the intersection of science and media as an intern with the QBI communications team. Her work documenting lab activities and creating social media content helped communicate the impact of QBI’s collaborative research community.
The QBI International Visiting Scholar Program strengthens global scientific partnerships while empowering researchers, particularly from developing countries. Scholars participate in a six-month to one-year, transdisciplinary program, conducting research at UCSF before implementing their findings at their home institutions with ongoing support from local collaborators. The program is disease-agnostic, emphasizing innovative approaches to a wide array of research areas, from infectious and cardiovascular diseases to cancer and psychiatric disorders. Participants gain mentorship from QBI investigators, opportunities to present their work at symposia, and formal skill development within a collaborative network, with the expectation that their experience will enhance the capacity and impact of research programs at their home institutions.
Vice Director of the Research Center for Infectious Diseases at International University, Vietnam National University
Hoai collaborated with researchers at UCSF and the Gladstone Institutes as an International Visiting Scholar. Her research focuses on antimicrobial resistance and diagnostic development, advancing a One Health approach to improve the detection and management of infectious diseases.
The Institut Pasteur-QBI Faculty Mini-Sabbatical Program facilitates short-term exchanges between UCSF and the Institut Pasteur. Faculty members engage in research collaborations, scholarly activities, and knowledge-sharing during one- to three-month visits. The program fosters new partnerships, enhances professional development, and encourages the exchange of ideas that advance scientific excellence, including initiatives in pandemic preparedness and global health.
Principal Investigator of the Signaling and Host-parasite Interaction Group, Institut Pasteur Paris
Najma joined the QBI community on sabbatical to build new collaborations and expand her research with scientists at UCSF. Her work focuses on how Leishmania evades macrophage immune defenses and on developing new therapeutic strategies targeting parasite-driven signaling pathways.
Through these programs, QBI demonstrates that advancing women in science requires more than opening doors: it requires sustained opportunities, resources and visibility. By fostering collaboration across disciplines and career stages, QBI helps women scientists build the networks, confidence, and support needed to thrive. Together, these efforts strengthen our community and ensure that more women are leading the discoveries shaping the future of biomedical research.