At ICGEB, we’re surrounded every day by brilliant women shaping the future of science. We hope their voices spark inspiration in you, too.
For IDWGS 2026, we asked our Principal Investigators what they consider to be at the heart of their contribution to science.
Here are some of their responses:
Translating scientific innovation into accessible and meaningful solutions for resource-limited settings – Georgia Schafer, ICGEB Cape Town
The responsibility to transform knowledge into concrete actions: to transmit passion for science to younger generations and to work to turn our results into products that can be brought to market or to the clinic.
Serena Zacchigna, ICGEB Trieste
Crossing disciplines, embracing being a beginner, and turning failure into success are what I believe define progress. Innovation in science lives outside the comfort zone, and that’s exactly where I choose to ride.
Sujatha Sunil, ICGEB New Delhi
Rewriting the Code of Nourishment by reimagining Life’s Code for a sustainable future: Being harbingers of innovation. When curiosity unlocks courage, women genome-editors at ICGEB’s NIC Lab don’t just study the future—they engineer it, from molecules to mega-crops, harvesting a future of nutrient-dense crops and climate-proof harvests for the nation and beyond.
Tanushri Kaul, ICGEB New Delhi
Creating an enabling environment so that others can reach their full potential and become outstanding, successful scientists in their own right.
Lara Donaldson, ICGEB Cape Town
Harnessing small RNAs to design big solutions for stress resilience in plants.
Neeti Sanan Mishra, ICGEB New Delhi
From a Poem for South African Women Telling myself that I am the one I have been waiting for, is why and how I do what I do. I am the one my family has been waiting for, I am the one my community has been waiting for. No other permission needed. You are the one we have been waiting for.
Nyaradzo Chigorimbo Tsikiwa, ICGEB Cape Town
At the heart of my contribution to science is a passion for turning curiosity into impact. My work brings together a fundamental understanding of plant stress responses with practical solutions, helping to develop resilient, high-performing crops. As a woman in science, I take pride in contributing knowledge that advances food security and resilience, and I hope my journey encourages more women to pursue science and lead change with confidence.
Sneh Lata Singla-Pareek, ICGEB New Delhi
Link to the ICGEB Science Faculty
