International Women’s Day: In Conversation With… Dr Adela Alcolea-Medina
For International Women’s Day, we sat down with Dr Adela Alcolea-Medina, Consultant Clinical Scientist at Synnovis and Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust.
During her PhD, Adela developed a brand new metagenomic test which could detect respiratory infections. The test is now being used in NHS intensive care units across the UK.
We spoke to her about her journey into science, the women who inspired her and the difference her work is making to patients.
What inspired you to choose a career in science?
I first became interested in biology during secondary school. I was fascinated by how the human body works and how diseases show up through different biological signals. The precision of it all – how everything functions together almost like a perfectly engineered machine – really amazed me. That’s when I knew I wanted to follow a path in science.
Who have been your role models along the way?
I have always admired scientists like Marie Curie and Margarita Salas. Growing up, seeing women succeed in fields that were mostly dominated by men showed me what was possible.
More recently, I’ve been inspired by Katalin Karikó. Her persistence with mRNA technology, despite years of little recognition, really resonates with me. Her work went on to transform global healthcare through mRNA vaccines and is a reminder that big scientific breakthroughs often come after years of quiet and determined work.
On a more personal level, my biggest role models have been my mum and my grandmother. They were strong, empowered and independent women who taught me resilience and the importance of believing in myself. Their example shaped my mindset long before I entered science.
Have you faced challenges as a woman working in science?
I didn’t grow up thinking that being a woman would limit me. I focused on learning, progressing and working hard. Looking back, I can see there were challenges linked to gender, even if I didn’t recognise them as such at the time.
After moving to the UK from Spain, I also became aware of another challenge: being a professional with an accent in a highly competitive environment. At times I had to find an extra layer of resilience but ultimately it’s strengthened my confidence and determination.
What advice would you give to women aspiring to enter science or research?
Don’t let other people’s expectations hold you back. If you care about something, keep at it and don’t let a ‘no’ stop you. Your hard work and determination combined with the skills you’ve built will take you further than you might think.
You deserve to feel confident in your place. Science needs curious and committed people, so keep developing yourself and remember that you’ve earned your seat at the table.
How does it feel to see your research making a difference to patients?
It’s something I’m extremely proud of. During my PhD, I developed a laboratory workflow to improve the diagnosis of respiratory infections and significantly shorten turnaround times. It is now being implemented in Intensive cares across the UK, helping clinicians make faster and more informed decisions for critically ill patients.
From the start, I wanted to design something that could realistically fit into routine clinical labs. There was some scepticism about whether it could be both innovative and practical, but proving that it could work has been one of the most rewarding moments of my career.
What do you think needs to change to encourage more women into senior roles in science?
I think we’ll see more women in senior roles when workplaces genuinely support them as whole people. Flexibility makes a huge difference and allows women to take on leadership roles without feeling torn between their career and family life.
We also need to trust women’s abilities without making them feel they have to constantly prove themselves. When the environment feels fair and supportive, more women will put themselves forward for senior roles and thrive in them.