L’Oréal “For Women in Science” is a philanthropy program to provide recognition and financial assistance to women researchers in biology and environmental sciences. The annual program is organized in collaboration with UNESCO and the award ceremony is held in Paris.
My work with this inspiring initiative has been to create a series of articles for use on L’Oréal’s blog and in event materials.
I interviewed the members of the jury panel who select each year’s Fellows and the winners of the prestigious award.
Interview with Professor Mayana Zatz, a Fellow with the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program
“Being a scientist wasn’t enough” for Professor Mayana Zatz
Pf. Mayana Zatz
Pf. Mayana Zatz, Professor of Genetics at the University of Sào Paulo in Brazil, has devoted her career to studying the genetics of neuromuscular diseases. Thanks to the research efforts of Pf. Zatz and her team, six new genes responsible for muscular disorders were identified, and close to 300 scientific papers have been published.
But for Pf. Zatz, there is more to being a scientist than spending long hours in a lab. She also has a deep personal interest in the approximately 180,000 people in Brazil who have neuromuscular disorders. Pf. Zatz decided that “being a scientist wasn’t enough” and founded the Brazilian Muscular Dystrophy Association to help families whose loved ones have muscular dystrophy. She shares the background of this association and describes what’s being done in her country to assist people with genetic disorders.
You founded the Brazilian Muscular Dystrophy Association to provide a wide range of support services for families who are affected by neuromuscular disorders. What motivated you to do this, Pf. Zatz?
It’s one thing to examine a DNA sample in the lab, but it’s a very different experience to meet a family whose child has muscular dystrophy. The most severe form is Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and affects one out of every 3,000 baby boys in Brazil. Families face social, ethical and emotional challenges to dealing with this disorder. It is especially hard for people who are poor and live in distant rural areas, far from assistive services. These people feel abandoned and excluded from society.
“At one point, I felt that being a scientist was not enough. In addition to studying muscular dystrophy, it was important to address how it impacted people’s lives and to find a way to help them.”
The Brazilian Muscular Dystrophy Association provides material assistance, psychological support, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis. Since it was founded in 1981, we have helped almost 25,000 people who are affected by inherited neuropathies.
Is there a cure for muscular dystrophy?
No, but it can be diagnosed through genetic testing. What’s difficult is that the mother can be a carrier yet is not affected and there are also mutations to the disorder. That’s why it’s crucial for mothers to have genetic testing to know if she is at-risk. If a woman is already pregnant, it’s very painful to confirm a diagnosis and inform the mother that her baby has a serious genetic disorder.
What are the challenges of helping people with muscular dystrophy?
Combining compassion and practical assistance
They need specialized therapy and their families need help with the practical and emotional challenges of care giving. The Brazilian government is now responding with more funding, support services and therapy centers.
But more help is still needed – the population of Sao Paulo alone is 40 million people. That does not include a large population in the countryside and people must travel great distances to get help for their affected children. Fortunately, there is increased Internet access in Brazil and we are using technology, such as Skype, to connect with people who need assistance and follow-up, yet live far from cities.
The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program is having a very positive and important impact on the problem of muscular dystrophy in Brazil. I’m grateful for the support and visibility that it brings to my efforts to help children and their families.
“I’d like to add that I receive many emails from girls who tell me they want to be a scientist. This is wonderful! I tell them that I am a scientist and also the mother of two children. So go for it – you can be a scientist and also a normal person!”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayana_Zatz
L'Oréal-UNESCO: these women scientists received financial support for their research.
