International Women's Day | Pursue your passion. We're all with you - Dr. Olivia He

When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world.

On International Women's Day, Vazyme invited Dr Olivia He, a Project Manager of R&D Center in biomedicine Division, to talk about her experience as a woman in research. In the past two years, Dr He has always maintained the pursuit and love of science, strength and courage.

Q: Can you share more about your work?

A: I lead a team dedicated to enhancing T7RNAP, an essential enzyme in mRNA vaccine production that is crucial for in vitro transcription (IVT) and determines the quality of mRNA synthesized via IVT. By enhancing T7RNAP, we can provide superior materials to downstream companies to accelerate mRNA vaccine development.

When explaining the reason behind the T7RNAP initiative, Dr. He's eyes shine with passion, citing "Never waste your clean thinking on dirty RNA" as her motto. She elaborates that T7RNAP improves mRNA product integrity and stability while also reducing by-products such dsRNAs, which can impair therapeutic efficacy and safety. This is critical in therapeutic applications. Seeing her work's contribution to the battle against diseases, Dr. He becomes more and more enthralled by scientific research.

Q: As a woman in science, have you faced gender-related challenges?

A: Due to stereotypes, social roles, and resource distribution, women represent only a third of global scientific researchers. Female researchers often lack gender-specific encouragement and support, which can lead to feelings of isolation. Luckily, over half of Vazyme's R&D staff are women, which is a major factor in my decision to join the company. Their encouragement and support inspired innovation and fresh perspectives in my work.

To the women in science, Dr. He says, "Congratulations to you, ladies in science! Amid the hurdles you'll face in this opportunity-rich but challenging field, remember your boundless potential. Stand firm, embrace challenges, and trust your worth and abilities. Despite potential gender discrimination and obstacles, never give up. Your talent and strength are undeniable, so just go after your dreams. Remember that you're not alone. You are backed by your family, friends, and colleagues who share your passion. Seek their support. Together, we grow stronger. Every step is a valuable experience and every challenge is an opportunity for growth. I am confident that your courage and determination will lead to something extraordinary."