Today is a day for celebrating science, more specifically the women who have and are helping to shape scientific progress around the world. To mark this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we wanted to look closer to home and reaffirm our commitment to fostering inclusivity and support in STEM fields.
Below you will find the stories of some of Haut-Lac International Bilingual School’s scientists, starting with the Head of Secondary and finishing with several alumni. Thank you all for sharing your experiences, challenges and triumphs in the world of science.
Haut-Lac Senior Leader & Teacher Talk Science
“As a child, my curiosity was fueled by a profound fascination with the motion of the moon and stars on warm Italian summer nights. Spending hours observing the night sky sparked numerous questions, eventually evolving into a deep passion for physics, my field of study at university.
Over several years, I engaged in research positions across Italy, the UK and Switzerland. My passion for learning led me to begin tutoring at the age of 16, working with students just a few years younger than myself. Transitioning to a role as a classroom teacher, my research background equipped me to integrate real-life examples into lessons. Thanks to my genuine enthusiasm for science, I successfully motivated my students to pursue careers in science and technology. Having maintained connections with many of my former students, I am proud of their accomplishments at university and beyond.”
Rossella Cosso
Head of Secondary
“Science has brought me so much in life and opened so many doors and opportunities. It helped me develop ways to tackle difficult problems and following engineering studies has been one of the best decisions of my life.
Being a woman in the engineering industry was not particularly easy as you are constantly surrounded by groups of men. However, this life experience taught me new ways to deal with issues and challenges.
As an engineer and physics teacher at Haut-Lac, I encourage girls to follow scientific studies as I believe it could teach them how to tackle challenges confidently. Seeing more and more girls in the industry is truly encouraging and positive for our society”.
Sacha Maes
Secondary Science Teacher
Why Study IB Science According to Haut-Lac Students
“I’m Jigyansa. I’m in IB1 and I take Math, Biology, Chemistry, and French B at HL. With these subjects, I hope to pursue medicine or biomedical sciences at university.
I’ve always been interested in science because I like the logical thinking behind it. As I have discovered in recent work experiences at hospitals, this field is always evolving. There is something new to learn every day, which will keeps me interested and motivated.
My fundamental drive to go into healthcare is to help people, but I also want to maximize the impact that I can have, through teaching, conducting research, and improving technology. In the hopes of being a woman in science, I look forward to contributing to advancements in the future!”
Jigyansa
IB1 Student
“I’m studying biology and chemistry at higher level and hope to pursue a career in biomedical sciences. After a school project on vaccines and immunology, I instantly wanted to know more. I was then given the opportunity to continue exploring my interests through the IBDP programme, for example by researching the efficiency of alternative cancer treatments for my Extended Essay.
In my future career as a scientist, I want to be part of the process of creating new medicines and treatments that are more accessible to patients in developing countries”.
Julia
IB2 Student
“My choices for the IBDP were chemistry at higher level and biology at standard level, and I am interested in studying either chemistry or materials science at university.
Chemistry offers a deep understanding of our surroundings and is used in almost all industries. Being able to see the real-life application of things I’ve learned really inspires me to expand my knowledge and comprehension of the subject.
My aim for my future career is to take part in projects that are impactful and important to society, such as designing new materials or optimising chemical processes to make them less harmful to the environment”.
Luciana
IB2 Student
“My name is Juliana. I am currently in IB2 student and taking both higher-level Physics and standard-level Chemistry.
Next year, I will be studying civil engineering at university to get my bachelor's degree in applied science. I plan to apply my scientific knowledge and skills to real-life applications so as to create sustainable solutions for communities to better adjust and combat our changing climate.
I love and am very interested in science, particularly Physics and Chemistry. It fuels my curiosity about the world around us and allows us to discover what we cannot see, beyond what we can imagine. Science plays a key role in innovation and technology, contributing to society, and I want to be a part of making such a positive change”.
Juliana
IB2 Student
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Haut-Lac Alumni Share Their Science Stories
“I chose science due to its endless possibilities and research-based approach. I studied physiotherapy, then focused on the use of VR in healthcare, and recently became a full-stack developer.
I’ve learned the importance of resilience in surviving a male dominant world, but more and more I see the progress and growth to achieve equal opportunities.
Constant change in the field motivates me, and its fundamental role in all aspects of life intrigues me. Most importantly, science enables me to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.”
Cecilia
Class of 2016
THIM University of Applied Sciences (BSc)
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Ma)
“I’ve always been interested in how the human body works, what we need to be healthy and why we become sick. I decided to study Biochemistry at university and delved into human biology at a molecular level, with a particular interest on cancer, how it develops and how we treat it.
I quickly discovered that I was more interested in the bigger-picture health policy aspect, rather than the detailed laboratory work of the field, and pursued a masters in International Health Policy.
I now work in health public affairs, working alongside pharmaceutical companies, patient advocates and policymakers to ensure the policies put forward allow all of us to live a healthy life and access treatment quickly and affordably when we need it."
Valerie
Class of 2016
Imperial College London (Bsc)
The London School of Economics & Political Science (Ma)
“I’ve always been interested in science ever since I was little, mostly just by how it was able to explain so many things and how it enables the development of so many new technologies.
I’m currently studying life sciences engineering at EPFL, and I hope to in the future work with biotechnology and so help produce technology that can be used in the medical field.
One specialty I’m interested in at the moment is neuroengineering because it is an emerging field with great potential for rehabilitation technologies”
Maria Clara
Class of 2023
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
"Traditionally, women are not directed toward science education and careers. Haut-Lac provided me with a diverse educational experience through the IB programme, which exposed me to STEM and the concept that anyone can excel in any subject.
My schoolwork led me to involvement in local ecological, regulatory and political causes that showed how I could make a difference to the global community by applying my education to help others.
I was inspired to continue learning and using science to improve the lives of as many people as possible, which led me to study Natural Sciences at Homerton College at the University of Cambridge. My Homerton experience has showed me the great impact that a diverse student body can have in taking on challenges with each person's unique contribution.
I hope that one day I can use science to make a contribution to more sustainable living. "
Ruby
Class of 2023
University of Cambridge (Bsc)
