Press Release: 3/9/2026

Women of the Wyss are making history

 

Meet some of the incredible women at the Institute who are having a positive impact on the world through their work 

You’ve probably heard of Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, and Thomas Edison, some of the most famous scientists and engineers who have transcended their respective fields and gained notoriety for their work. While their impact is obviously important, they only paint one specific picture of what a STEM professional can look like.  

Women like Rosalind Franklin, Ada Lovelace, and Katherine Johnson have also changed the world through their contributions to the discovery of DNA’s structure, computing, and aerospace technology, respectively. 

For years, women have driven scientific progress while facing barriers that have limited recognition and opportunity. Although progress has been made, only 28% of STEM jobs worldwide are held by women, with an even wider gap in engineering fields.   

Encouragingly, perceptions are changing. When children in the 1960s were asked to draw pictures of scientists, fewer than 1% drew a woman. In 2016, that number rose to 34%.   

Increasing visibility and expanding opportunities remain critical. When girls see women leading research teams or labs, launching companies, and solving global challenges then they can see themselves doing the same.   

Women of the Wyss are making an impact through their research and by serving as examples for future STEM leaders. Browse the gallery below and join us in celebrating just a few of the extraordinary women making history at the Institute.