Research is first and foremost a passion. This is what an outstanding UniCamillus researcher, Professor Maria Rosaria Capobianchi, lecturer in Molecular Biology on the MSc in Medicine and Surgery, said on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which is celebrated on 11th February.
“The work of research is rewarding because, through commitment and sacrifice, it allows thoughts and imagination to become reality”, said the renowned scientist and Knight of Merit of the Italian Republic for her services to the community during the Covid-19 pandemic. “All my mentors taught me that research is not a game. It is something serious that allows you to achieve what you imagine. Being in a laboratory is a privilege as it gives you the opportunity to put into practice what you have in mind”. As a matter of fact, it takes a lot of perseverance to put your ideas into practice. Professor Capobianchi’s early career proved this, as she says with a smile: “When I started my career in 1977, my first laboratory supervisor told me that I was unlucky because, in his opinion, almost everything in biology had already been discovered! (she laughs, ed.). It sounds like a joke when I tell it today. Just imagine: since the 1970s science has challenged all dogmas and opened up possibilities that were unthinkable at the time!”.
Today, she tries to pass on as much as possible of the value and beauty of knowledge to the new generations of medical practitioners and researchers. She does this in a young university like ours, where she has found an environment that truly focuses on merit and passion, without prejudice or limitation. However, the joy of discovery—and she cannot deny this in her life story—is always balanced by the many difficulties that researchers have to learn to overcome: “The most frustrating aspect is looking for funding, as are the long hours and sometimes little recognition for your efforts”. Then there is the need to travel and be away from your family. Today, technology makes it easier, but not so long ago it was inevitable to travel all over the world to attend conferences and take part in other activities.
Professor Capobianchi has faced all these obstacles, which were—and still are for many of her female colleagues—even greater. She has seen the whole evolution of the role of women in research in Italy over the last half century. “The difficulties are those of all working women. Research does not allow you to have timetables and many things cannot be planned. This clashes with the image of the woman who should take care of her children and her house. In fact, my greatest difficulties began when I had my two children. I left the laboratory, even for a short time, and then had difficulties coming back, although I was lucky to have a husband and family who always helped me when they could”, she explained.
These situations, unfortunately, have not changed much in 50 years. Another UniCamillus lecturer, Sabina Di Matteo, who teaches General Pathology at UniCamillus in both Rome and Venice, confirms this. Her career as an oncology researcher began just over a decade ago, motivated by deep personal and family reasons. Unfortunately, she soon found herself struggling with the incompatibility of a precarious job and being a mother. Sadly, from the start she had to accept the fact that she would always be considered a step behind men, because, as she said: “All my project leaders have been men, and it is not uncommon for grants, even from important research institutes, to be offered first to men and then, if they are successful, to women. You would think that science would be more objective, but in too many cases this is not the case”. UniCamillus is proud to say that it is not one of them.
“I recently resumed my research activities“, Di Matteo explains, “also thanks to UniCamillus, where I found a more dynamic and open-minded environment. But many of my colleagues have not been as lucky as me”. Our University is an example that shows that change is possible, especially by appealing to the new generations. However, referring to the disappointments of the past, Di Matteo warns: “To initiate a process of change that is sustainable and produces results, we need to start talking seriously about it and follow up on the many initiatives that are being taken”.