Assoc Prof Marnie Blewitt – A leader both within the science and business world
22 July 2016
Celebrating 10 years of the Australian L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowships
Assoc Prof Marnie Blewitt – The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute
For Women in Science Fellow 2009
Marnie is an epigeneticist fascinated by how genes are switched on and off. This process known as epigenetic modification is critical for human development and deviations in this process can lead to the development of disease. Marnie was awarded the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science fellowship in 2009 for her contributions in this field.
Soon after receiving her award, she was appointed Laboratory Head (a promotion received while on maternity leave). The financial support provided by the fellowship allowed flexibility for Marnie between establishing and running her lab group and caring for her child. Over the past few years Marnie has been recognised for her outstanding scientific achievements, including the Financial Review Boss Magazine Top 30 Women to Watch in Australian Business (2009) and the Financial Review Top 100 Women of Influence Award (2013).
Marnie now holds the position of Associate Professor at the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute and when asked her opinion on the current position for women in science in Australia, she says “I think we still have challenges ahead of us, firstly how we go about a culture change, and secondly addressing unconscious bias, as I believe there are equal numbers of qualified women as there are men."
