CGEn staff and researchers are adding to the collective voices calling for equality in science. A 2023 survey of CGEn staff found that 54.2% self-identified as women and 86.7% of respondents reported feeling ‘included in their workplace’. Women at CGEn are represented across all career stages, including senior leadership. CGEn is proud to have fostered an inclusive and supportive work environment with so many remarkable women and remains committed to not only nurturing but also creating opportunities for their professional growth. These women are driving progress in genomic sciences and its applications while championing diversity and inclusion in genomics.
On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, three women in the CGEn community share what they love about their careers, memorable milestones, and the impactful advice they have received.
Sharon Peacock, PhD, MRCPATH (SP) is the Master of Churchill College, Professor of Microbiology and Public Health at the University of Cambridge, and a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. With over a decade of experience in pathogen sequencing and public health microbiology, she founded the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK) to support the UK’s pandemic response. Dr. Peacock’s exceptional contributions to the field have earned her numerous honors, including the MRC Millennium Medal and a CBE for services to public health.
Meredith McLaren, PhD (MM) is the CEO of CGEn. Previously, she served as its Director of Programs & Partnerships. Before joining CGEn, Meredith held roles in the life sciences innovation space (Spindle Strategy, Ontario Genomics) and led partnership- and strategy-focused initiatives at academic-affiliated not-for-profit organizations in Ontario, including SOSCIP and Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst.
Valerie Crowley, PhD (VC) is the Service Manager for Next Generation Sequencing at the Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children. In her current role, she bridges the gap between technology and research in genomics, supporting a diverse range of research initiatives. With nearly two decades of experience in scientific research, she has also served in management roles, including Program Manager for a COVID testing center at Utah State University.
Could you tell us about your career in the sciences?
SP: I have been working on translating microbial sequencing into public health microbiology and patient care for the last decade and a half. An area where breakthroughs are needed is in the realm of infection, prevention, and control in hospital settings. It would represent a paradigm shift if we could routinely sequence pathogens that are known to be associated with hospital outbreaks at the point that they are isolated in the microbiology laboratory and then use an automated analysis feed of genomic relatedness combined with time and place data to rapidly confirm or refute outbreaks. Although barriers remain, I believe that I will see this introduced in my lifetime!
MM: A career in the research and innovation field gives me the opportunity to work on many different types of problems and opportunities that are often linked and driving towards a common outcome. CGEn is focused on enabling a wide range of genomics projects that will have positive impacts for science, for Canadian society, and for the wider global context, and I am excited to continue supporting this work.
VC: In my current role, I get the opportunity to facilitate the research of others. A particularly rewarding aspect of my work is helping trainees demystify their sequencing projects. As sequencing becomes more affordable, it’s breaking down financial barriers in research. It’s exciting to hear from scientists who, until recently, found next-gen sequencing projects out of reach financially. Now, these researchers are able to integrate sequencing data into their studies for the first time, opening up new possibilities. I would love to be able to shrink myself down like in the Magic School bus, and explore the nuclear landscape of Plasmodium falciparum, one of the parasites that causes human malaria.
Can you share a memorable career milestone or achievement you’re proud of?
SP: My most memorable achievement was directing the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK). More than 600 consortium members contributed to our outputs between April 2020 and the end of March 2023, with key roles fulfilled by researchers from across the consortium partners and a management team based at the University of Cambridge. This allowed us to generate millions of SARS-CoV-2 genomes towards the pandemic response in the UK and globally. We also wrote a book entitled ‘Snapshots of Women in COG: Scientific Excellence during the COVID-19 pandemic’, which showcased the lives and work of inspirational women (and male supporters/allies) from the COG-UK network and outside of the consortium.
MM: I was very pleased to be named CEO of CGEn last year. In addition to this, conversations with my children about my job are always memorable and constantly challenge me to explain science, genomics, and technology in basic terms!
You have navigated such successful careers in science. Is there any advice you received that had a significant impact on your career?
MM: A piece of advice I received early was to ask questions when you need to, and don’t be afraid to seek out information or help from others with different experiences and skill sets. In STEM, asking questions leads to deeper understanding and encourages an environment where others feel comfortable sharing ideas. Collaboration is key and in most cases helps to get high-quality results most efficiently.
VC: The suggestion to blend personal interests such as travel with my scientific pursuits played a role in my career decisions as a scientist.
SP: Peer-to-peer mentoring and networks are powerful ways to unlock solutions to the challenges you are facing at any given stage in your career.