News

Press room

Giovanni Ortolani
Public Information Officer
Via Beirut, 6
Enrico Fermi Building, Room 112
Office: +39 040 2240-324
gortolani@twas.org

Cristina Serra
Staff writer
Via Beirut, 6
Enrico Fermi Building, Room 113
Phone: +39 040 2240-429
Mobile: +39 338 430-5210
cserra@twas.org

Sean Treacy
Staff Writer
Via Beirut, 6
Enrico Fermi Building, Room T8/2
Office: +39 040 2240-538
streacy@twas.org

General contact: info@twas.org

TWAS Newsletter
The Academy's quarterly magazine.

TYAN: A helping hand to re-enter science

TYAN: A helping hand to re-enter science

Essay details a Bolivian scientist’s journey from motherhood to eco-toxicology

In a recent essay, early-career biologist Sdenka Moscoso of Bolivia describes her experience returning to science from full-time motherhood and attending the March 2023 TYAN Summer School in Bolivia.

TYAN is the TWAS Young Affiliates Network, a platform for collaboration among young scientists whom TWAS has recognized as Young Affiliates. Young Affiliates have already produced impressive scientific results and bring valuable energy and perspective to the Academy. After five years as Affiliates, they become TWAS Alumni.

Image
Sdenka Moscoso, an early-career biologist from Bolivia. [Photo provided]
Sdenka Moscoso, an early-career biologist from Bolivia. [Photo provided]

TYAN also provides important opportunities for collaboration and mentoring, such as the summer school, to other young scientists in the global South who often face challenges when attempting to pursue academic careers. In her essay, Moscoso describes her situation before attending the school:

“In 2015, I returned from Brescia, Italy, proud to have achieved one of my life’s goals – a doctorate on research with zebrafish as an animal model. I returned to my home country, Bolivia, for family reasons and my aspirations of becoming a mother. Although this led me away from science for seven years, I must say it was completely worth it. I am now the proud mother of three beautiful treasures, alongside my admirable life partner. However, my day-to-day life was increasingly filled with a concern to return to academia, and to be honest, I began to feel professionally frustrated. So, I decided that I needed to make a change.”

The essay is available in both English and Spanish. Read the full essay on the TYAN website here.

Sean Treacy