Science at Tambre is written with a woman’s name. And every 11th of February presents us with the opportunity to proudly share that more and more women are choosing a path as scientists. International Day of Women and Girls in Science allows us to recognise the role of women in the scientific field and to speak to the new generations.At Tambre, we are leaders in advanced reproductive medicine with a feminine essence, because almost 90% of our team is made up of women, from gynaecologists and embryologists to nurses, all dedicated to science and the well-being of our patients.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
You can see the subtitles in English in the bottom of the video
This year, we want to highlight the voices of four exceptional professionals from our team:Ángela Llaneza, expert gynaecologist in fertility and Scientific Director, Leonor Ortega, embryologist, Sónia Poeiras, nurse, and Susana Cortés, Laboratory Director.
Through their personal experiences, we discover their journey in science, the challenges they have overcome, and their advice for the girls who dream of dedicating themselves to this fascinating world.
Ángela Llaneza: A Calling for Reproductive Medicine
Ángela Llanezaalways knew that her future was in medicine. Coming from a family of doctors, she never doubted following the same path. She studied in Asturias and later moved to Madrid to specialise in gynaecology. Her passion for endocrinology led her to discover assisted reproduction, a field where science and care for people combine to help those who wish to build a family.
“To believe in your dream of becoming a doctor and know that, in the end, goals are achievable—that it is a profession far more rewarding than it seems,” she would tell the young girl she once was. For Ángela, medicine goes beyond the books: “Believe in it and pursue your dream. Study, play, and don’t focus solely on academics—develop your creative side too. Medicine, in addition to being science, is also about human care.”
Believe in it and pursue your dream. Study, play, and don’t focus solely on academics—develop your creative side too
Ángela highlights that there are more and more women in science, but there is still a need for them to reach leadership positions: “There are more women in faculties of all kinds, not just in scientific careers. What is missing is for women to reach management positions and power. But inevitably, that moment will come.”
Leonor Ortega: A Commitment to Embryology
Leonor Ortega found her love for science at high school, thanks to her Biology and Geology teacher. Those classes and experiments aroused her curiosity and prompted her to study Biological Sciences. “As a child, two things were always clear to me: that I wanted to be a mother and that I wanted to help others. Through my specialisation in assisted human reproduction, I have achieved both,” shares Leonor.
For her, the key to success lies in perseverance: “The important thing is to have a goal, a purpose, and go after it. Life has taught me that effort and determination represent 80% of success. And if it’s in science, why not? We need female researchers and scientists.”
The important thing is to have a goal, a purpose, and go after it. Life has taught me that effort and determination represent 80% of success. And if it’s in science, why not?
Although she acknowledges that the presence of women in science has increased, there are still barriers: “We know that there are more female students than male students at university, but in STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), only one in four students is a woman.”
She also emphasises that women’s participation in science has a positive impact: “It has been proven that women’s involvement in science improves the quality of scientific studies.” Despite progress, she mentions that only 3.75% of Nobel Prizes in Science have been awarded to women, which shows that much work remains to be done.
Sónia Poeiras: A Calling to Care
When Sónia Poeiras was a child, she dreamt of becoming a ballerina or a teacher. It was at school that she began to consider nursing as the profession to dedicate her life to. This profession had always been present in her life, as her father was a nurse, and she grew up knowing that being a nurse is not just a job but a calling. “I chose nursing and I am very happy because it has been the perfect decision,” she affirms.
For her, being a nurse involves not only technical knowledge but also empathy and dedication. “Nursing is not just about having the technical skills, it is also about knowing how to listen, being present, and offering a helping hand,” she explains. Her vocation was strengthened during the pandemic, when she decided to move to Spain to help during a critical moment: “I am a nurse, and it is in this moment that I am needed.”
Nursing is not just about having the technical skills, it is also about knowing how to listen, being present, and offering a helping hand
Sónia is clear about the advice she would give to a girl who wants to become a nurse: “She must be well informed and understand what this profession really means. It’s not enough to study; there must be a calling and empathy. The key is to combine knowledge with human care.” For her, being a nurse also means knowing how to work as a team and being in constant learning.
Susana Cortés: Perseverance in Science
Since she was young, Susana Cortés wanted to be a veterinarian, but her second choice was biology. “I liked the course, and I stayed with the hope of continuing in research as a scientist, as I imagine most biologists do,” she explains.
When asked what she would say to her inner child today, Susana responds proudly: “I can’t reproach her for anything. She has studied and worked hard. She never aimed to be famous or globally recognised, she just wanted to do her job better every day to help more people. I have never kept anything I’ve learned to myself, and I have shared everything I could, both professionally and personally, with those around me, making wonderful friends—almost family—over the years.”
I have never kept anything I’ve learned to myself, and I have shared everything I could, both professionally and personally
Her message to the girls dreaming of science comes from her own experience: “Once, at a motivational course, I was asked what name I would choose if I weren’t called Susana. I answered, ‘I’m sorry, but my name is Susana, and I wouldn’t want any other name.’ I like who I am, even though sometimes I regret it. So, my advice would be: love yourself, love those around you, and work hard.”
More and More Female Scientists
All four agree that the presence of women in science is steadily increasing, but there is still work to be done. Ángela Llaneza points out that while there are more women in scientific careers, it is necessary for them to reach leadership positions. Leonor Ortega explains that social and educational factors still limit women’s access to science. And Susana Cortés says it with conviction: “I believe the future is WOMEN’s.”
At Tambre, our commitment to both science and women is unwavering. Every day, our doctors, embryologists, nurses, and scientists prove that science has a woman’s name. Inspiring future generations is part of our mission, because we believe in a future where girls who dream of a career in science have all the tools to make it a reality.
