International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Chromatography

Chromatography is a field built on precision, curiosity, and a constant drive to uncover what lies beneath the surface. In laboratories around the world, chromatographers and analytical scientists separate, identify, and quantify the components that make up our food, medicines, environment, materials, and even the air we breathe. They solve problems that most people never see, yet their impact is everywhere.

On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026, we celebrate the women who are shaping this field—women whose work advances detection technologies, improves data quality, strengthens regulatory compliance, and enables innovations across pharmaceuticals, environmental monitoring, forensics, petrochemicals, and beyond.

Yet it’s not just scientific breakthroughs we honor today. It’s the personal journeys, the mentors who sparked early curiosity, the non‑linear paths, and the courage required to enter a field where women have historically been underrepresented. Their stories demonstrate not only the importance of women in science, but the importance of science being shaped by diverse minds

Curiosity at the Core of Analytical Chemistry

Curiosity fuels chromatography. Every separation, every method development challenge, every unexpected peak is a question waiting to be answered.

This is what drew Laura McGregor, senior product marketing manager, separation technologies at SepSolve Analytical, into the field:

“I was drawn to science because curiosity is at the heart of it—questioning how things work and why they happen is part of the job. What continues to motivate me is learning something new every day, exploring different ideas, and seeing how emerging technologies can be applied to solve real problems and have real impact.”

Chromatography is a discipline where learning never stops—emerging technologies like multidimensional gas chromatography (GC), ion mobility, advanced sample preparation, and machine‑learning‑powered peak deconvolution are reshaping what scientists can detect and how fast they can detect it. For many women, this constant evolution is precisely what makes the field exciting. New questions emerge all the time, and analytical chemists get to be the ones who answer them.

The Power of Early Inspiration

Behind many careers in analytical chemistry, there is a moment of inspiration—a teacher who explained a scientific concept brilliantly, a hands‑on experiment that transformed a classroom lesson into something tangible, or a mentor who showed what a scientist’s life could look like.

Kirstin Ernst, product specialist in analytical chromatography at YMC, describes the powerful role that early exposure and representation played in her own path:

“My path into science was shaped by people who made it feel accessible and possible. A teacher who explained biology in an engaging way sparked my curiosity, and later, a female supervisor who successfully balanced research leadership with family life showed me that there is no single way to be a scientist. Her encouragement helped me believe in myself and pursue a Ph.D. These experiences taught me how important representation, positive role models, and encouragement are—especially for girls and young scientists who are still finding their confidence.”

These early moments can often evolve into a love for the details—understanding why a peak is tailing, why retention time shifts, or how a seemingly tiny change in mobile phase can transform a separation. But that passion needs room to grow. Girls must first be shown that they can be chemists, researchers, specialists, inventors—that they belong in the lab just as much as anyone else.

Non‑Linear Paths in a Data‑Driven Field

Chromatography is a discipline built on stepwise methods, detailed protocols, and systematic thinking. But the careers that lead women into these roles are often anything but linear.

Amanda Patrick, associate professor at Mississippi State University, highlights the importance of openness and exploration:

“My advice to girls—or anyone—interested in getting started in science is to pursue their interests and curiosities, take advantage of programs or opportunities that allow you to try things out and meet people with similar enthusiasm, and to keep an open mind as paths are not always linear and we do not know all that is possible when we are just starting out.”

Just as a method may require multiple optimizations before reaching robustness, scientific careers are shaped by exploration, discovery, and unexpected turns.

Bravery in a Field of Precision

Analytical chemistry demands accuracy, attention to detail, and scientific rigor—but succeeding in the field also requires confidence. Presenting data to colleagues, defending analytical methods, or proposing innovative solutions can be intimidating, especially for women early in their careers.

Ilaria Belluomo, research fellow at Imperial College London, offers advice that resonates deeply for young chromatographers:

“My advice for the next generation of women scientists is simple: be brave, don’t be afraid to speak up for your ideas. Never let anyone tell you that you’re not good enough, especially not that little voice inside your own head. Be curious and passionate, and trust that your dedication and talent will take you where you want to go.”

This courage is particularly vital in a field where women may find themselves as the only female voice in a technical meeting or the only woman overseeing complex analytical workflows. Speaking up matters—because innovation grows from ideas shared.

Empowering the Next Generation of Analytical Scientists

So how do we open the door wider for girls who may one day become chromatographers, method development specialists, analytical chemists, or scientific leaders?

1. Create early experiences with real science

Hands‑on experiments, lab tours, and outreach activities make analytical chemistry tangible—and exciting.

2. Promote female role models across the field

Highlighting women in chromatography shows girls a future where they can thrive.

3. Encourage exploration across scientific disciplines

As Patrick emphasized, non‑linear paths often lead to unexpected and fulfilling careers.

4. Foster confidence and a sense of belonging

Encouragement matters just as much as technical skill development.

5. Support inclusive workplaces

Retention is just as important as recruitment. To keep women in analytical chemistry, workplaces must value diverse perspectives and create opportunities for advancement.

A Future Built on Curiosity, Precision, and Representation

On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate the women whose curiosity drives chromatographic innovations, whose dedication ensures the reliability of analytical data, and whose courage inspires young scientists around the world.

The message shared by Patrick, McGregor, Ernst, and Belluomo is clear: Chromatography will continue to evolve, but one of the most powerful advancements we can make is ensuring that every girl with an interest in science has the confidence, encouragement, and representation she needs to pursue that passion.

Because the future of analytical chemistry isn’t just about better separations or higher sensitivity—it’s also about building a scientific community where all curious minds can thrive.

For more coverage of women in chromatography, please click the links below and watch our Women in Chromatography Roundtables:

The Column March 2025

The Column June 2025

The Column September 2025

The Column December 2025