Meet 7 inspiring women working in environmental science
On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Global Environment Facility is highlighting seven women scientists from across our partnership who play essential roles in addressing our planet’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Ornela Çuçi participating in a bird census at Kune-Vain Lagoon in Lezhe, Albania. Photo courtesy of Ornela Çuçi.
Fewer than 30 percent of researchers worldwide are women, reflecting gaps in educational and professional opportunities that are holding back both gender equality and sustainable development goals.
On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Global Environment Facility is highlighting seven women scientists from across our partnership who play essential roles in addressing our planet’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Rosina Bierbaum, GEF STAP
Rosina Bierbaum is chair of the Scientific and Advisory Panel of the Global Environmental Facility. Throughout her career, Rosina Bierbaum has advocated for improvements in the curriculum that educates students in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). She has also worked to advance policy in areas including antibiotic resistance, clean energy, and agriculture. She is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors in the scientific field. When she reflected on her election to the National Academy of Sciences, Rosina Bierbaum emphasized that she would not be in that position without “a lot of science fairs, and many, many patient mentors along the way.” She addressed her unusual career path from serving on President Barack Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology to heading back to university to mentor the next generation of environmental leaders.
Aulani Wilhelm, Conservation International
Aulani Wilhelm, Senior Vice President of Oceans at Conservation International, is engaging in work that is essential to the future of ocean health. As leader of the Center for Oceans, Conservation International’s global coastal and marine program, her work aims to protect coastal ecosystems and improve ocean management and governance. Despite not having what she calls a specific ‘aha!’ moment that inspired her career path, Aulani Wilhelm believes her core values as a Hawaiin islander from an indiginous community underpin everything she tries to do. When reflecting on her career journey, Aulani claims, “The best successes and rewards that I have ever experienced have manifested where people and institutions were challenged to not only do better, but to work differently to get there.”