Insight

Feb 11, 2024, 07:31

Belén Garijo: I´m grateful to everyone across the scientific community who think and act like Einstein

Belén Garijo, Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck, shared on LinkedIn:

“There is only one person in history to win two Nobel´s in different scientific fields: Marie Curie won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1903 and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911. Despite these remarkable achievements, her career was never a walk in the park.

In 1911, Curie became the victim of a vicious public hate campaign. Powerful figures sought to destroy her scientific reputation, mainly because they could not comprehend a world where a female scientist could shine so brightly.

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I want to highlight the positive side of this story. Albert Einstein, another great scientist of that generation, proudly stood by her side. He became enraged at the public criticism directed towards Curie. He publicly praised her intellect, drive, honesty, and “tenacity in execution under the most extreme hardships imaginable.”

Still today, many women in science will encounter people who resist any change to the status quo. And that´s when you need to be surrounded by people who believe in you – sometimes more than you believe in yourself. I´m indebted to a few trusted people in my career who gave me the confidence and support to step higher. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

So today, I´m grateful to everyone at Merck Group and across the scientific community who think and act like Einstein. Thanks for fighting to build an inclusive and empowering environment where talent and tenacity can thrive – irrespective of gender.”

Belén Garijo: I´m grateful to everyone across the scientific community who think and act like Einstein