On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we interviewed one of our 👩 ⚕ doctors, Dr. Lin, to learn about her story up close, when she discovered that her dream was to become a doctor and how she sees the role of science in today's society:
1. When you were a child, did you know you wanted to become a doctor? Can you say you've fulfilled your dream?
From a young age, I knew I wanted to become a doctor. I never played with dolls. I always had my doctor's kit handy and I recall a lot a game I had that came with a skeleton and all the organs, books of the human body, etc. Being a doctor now, I can say that I have fulfilled my dream of what I want to dedicate my life to.
2. When you started studying medicine, was your goal already to specialize in assisted reproduction or how did you get to it?
When you start studying medicine, I think it's very difficult to know exactly what specialty or super specialty you'd want to do. At least in my case, I knew I wanted to deal directly with the patient (there are many specialties where that direct contact is not necessary), but the truth is, I didn't imagine I would end up doing assisted reproduction . It was with the passage of time, after knowing my specialty that I knew I wanted to dedicate myself to this.
3. Having achieved your goal of being a doctor, what is your dream today as a professional? What do you like most about your work?
Since I have achieved my dream, what I like most about my work is being able to help my patients get THEIR dream of being parents. I like that my patients feel accompanied and cared for and, of course, they get pregnant.
4. Do you think girls now dream more than before of science-related professions?
I believe that girls must always have dreamed of science-related professions, but in the old day we were not given the tools or education towards the scientific aspect but more humanistic aspect.
5. Is there a historical scientist who has inspired you in your life or as a reference?
Marie Curie and Rosalind Franklin have always caused me much admiration, but I wouldn't say they've been a model either. I never pretended to be a great revolutionary of medicine, but I have always liked the close treatment with the patient much more.
6. What role does science play in today's society? Do you think its prominence will go any further?
Science, more than ever, is in everyone's mouth and is basic to development as a society in all aspects. Science and in particular medicine allow us to advance and create greater well-being and a stronger and healthier population.
7. Where do you think the future of assisted reproduction is headed? What new possibilities open up in this field?
The future is especially aimed at being able to give a solution to the problem of ovarian aging and egg quality, as it is the biggest limiting factor we have in order to improve the results of assisted reproduction techniques. There are various lines of research such as in vitro follicular activation, mitochondrial transfers, spindle transfer, etc.
Thank you to the scientists of yesterday, today, and tomorrow for making the world a more incredible world.
From Barcelona IVF we wish you a happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science and we encourage today's girls who like science and dream of being scientists to pursue their dream, tomorrow is waiting for them and we are sure that they will be able to achieve everything they set out to do.
