“Don’t be afraid to take up space,” advises Brazilian scientist Adryelle do Nascimento Arantes to women

Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!

On February 11, we celebrate #IDGWS2025, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This is an opportunity to recognize all the women who contribute to scientific progress and shape the world around us.

However, the research sphere is not always a welcoming place, and achieving success is no easy task. Women, in particular, face numerous challenges—some still encounter persistent stereotypes, others struggle with a lack of support from their surroundings, and many find it difficult to balance a demanding, time-consuming, and mentally exhausting career with their personal and family life. Sometimes, it’s all of these challenges combined. Women in science must overcome a great deal to earn the positions they rightfully deserve.

That’s why female researchers—who master complex fields, acquire diverse skills, and push both their own limits and those of science—deserve immense recognition and admiration.

To mark #IDGWS2025, we bring you an interview with one such scientist, who excels in the challenging field of neuromodulation technologies.

Adryelle do Nascimento Arantes joined the International Clinical Research Center (ICRC)—a joint workplace of St. Anne’s University Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine at Masaryk University—in July 2024. She studied at the Federal University of Uberlândia and the Federal University of São Carlos, specializing in medical physics and nuclear medicine. She is now a researcher in the Neuromodulation Technologies team led by Canadian scientist Adam Williamson. What path led her from Brazil to Brno, and what does she see as the biggest challenge in the world of science? 

How did you get from Brazil to the Czech Republic? What was the path you took?

My journey started with a degree in Medical Physics, where I became involved in academic research. During both my undergraduate and master’s studies, I focused on developing detection devices aimed at identifying harmful components, such as radiation exposure, biological agents, and other hazardous materials. This work deepened my understanding of how technology could be applied to protect human health and sparked my interest in the intersection of physics and healthcare. To further pursue this path, I joined a medical physics residency program specializing in nuclear medicine. During this time, I gained hands-on experience in clinical research, medical imaging, and quality assessment, which reinforced my passion for science and its impact on patient care. After completing my residency, I entered the job market, working mainly in quality assurance and image processing. However, I always dreamed of returning to academia. I spent about two years preparing for this transition, improving my technical skills and English, while searching for opportunities abroad. Brno stood out as an excellent place for scientific research, and I was excited about the possibility of working in an international environment. The opportunity to join Dr. Adam Williamson’s team came at the perfect moment, allowing me to align my experience with my interest in neuroscience and neuromodulation.

Why did you choose ICRC and Adam Williamson’s team for your work? What interested you the most and led you to this decision?

Dr. Adam Williamson’s team is a reference in neuromodulation and neuroimaging, two fields that interested me. Throughout my career, I developed experience in imaging techniques and clinical research, and I was looking for a place where I could apply this knowledge in an innovative way. The project on Temporal Interference (TI) and functional MRI (fMRI) caught my attention because it combines technology and clinical applications to improve the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. The opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team and contribute to the advancement of this technology was what motivated me to join ICRC.

What specific projects are you involved in within the team?

Currently, I am involved in projects exploring transcutaneous electrical stimulation with temporal interference (TI) fields and its applications in neuromodulation. We are investigating how this technology influences brain activity by using fMRI to assess neural responses to stimulation. My work focuses on image analysis and the development of methodologies to better quantify these effects, allowing us to understand how temporal interference interacts with different brain regions. This is crucial for refining stimulation techniques and optimizing their application in clinical and research settings. One of the things I appreciate the most about our group is the incredible collaborative environment. We have the opportunity to contribute to different projects led by various researchers, making the work dynamic and engaging. Just as I am not working alone on this project—it is a collective effort from the entire team—I also have the chance to collaborate on other ongoing studies. Some examples include research on temporal interference in epilepsy patients, vagus nerve stimulation, and sleep studies. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to exchange knowledge and expand the impact of our work across different areas of neuromodulation.

What do you enjoy the most and find most fulfilling about your work?

What motivates me the most is the opportunity to contribute to scientific advancements that have a direct impact on healthcare. The combination of applied research and the development of new neuromodulation techniques is both challenging and exciting. Working in an interdisciplinary environment, where I collaborate with physicists, doctors, and engineers, is also something that inspires me every day.

Working in an interdisciplinary environment, where I collaborate with physicists, doctors, and engineers, is also something that inspires me every day.

How have you adjusted to life in Brno? What do you like most about it, and what surprised you the most?

Living in Brno has been a very positive experience for me. It is a vibrant university city with a great environment for research and innovation. What I like most is how accessible everything is—Brno offers a high quality of life without the fast pace of big cities. What surprised me the most was the organization and the support available for international researchers, which made my transition much smoother.

What are your biggest professional ambitions for the future?

In the future, I hope to become a strong researcher and lead projects that combine neuroscience, medical physics, and artificial intelligence to personalize therapies even further. Beyond research, I want to guide and inspire the next generation of scientists. I hope to become a professor and mentor, supporting my students in their scientific journeys, helping them navigate challenges, and encouraging them to push boundaries in their own research. Science is not just about discovery—it’s also about sharing knowledge and creating an environment where new ideas can grow. I want to be part of that process, helping to shape future researchers who will continue advancing the field.

How does the status of women in scientific or medical fields differ in Brazil and the Czech Republic? Do you feel any differences?

Women in both Brazil and the Czech Republic still face significant challenges in science, especially in leadership positions and technical fields. However, the level of female participation in research differs between the two countries.  In Brazil, there has been a strong push to increase female representation in science through inclusion programs and academic initiatives. Women are well-represented in postgraduate education, and many pursue research careers. However, leadership roles are still predominantly occupied by men, and women often face barriers when trying to advance to higher positions in academia and research. In the Czech Republic, the presence of women in science is growing, but progress has been slower. Although many women work in academia, there are fewer in senior positions, and leadership opportunities remain limited. Gender imbalances are more noticeable in research institutions, where men still hold the majority of decision-making roles. Despite these differences, the biggest obstacles remain similar in both places: breaking into leadership positions, overcoming gender biases, and balancing career and personal life. Both countries still have work to do in ensuring equal opportunities for women in science.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle in the life of a woman/scientist? What is the hardest to deal with? What has been the hardest for you?

The biggest challenge is balancing career and personal life without compromising either, which is often much harder for women than for men. In many cases, women not only face additional pressures in the workplace—having to constantly prove their competence in male-dominated environments—but also carry a larger share of family and household responsibilities. For women who have children, this challenge becomes even greater. Motherhood is often seen as a barrier to career progression, while for men, having a family is rarely perceived as a limitation. Women are expected to excel professionally while also being primary caregivers, which creates an ongoing struggle between professional ambitions and personal responsibilities. For me, one of the biggest difficulties was transitioning between work and academia while ensuring career growth without sacrificing personal life. I have seen how women in science often have to make difficult choices that men are rarely forced to consider. This makes it even more important to have supportive workplaces, mentorship, and policies that allow women to thrive in both their careers and their personal lives.

How do you manage to balance this challenging work with your personal life?

I try to maintain a balanced routine and set clear priorities. Having a strong support system, both at work and in my personal life, is essential for staying motivated and avoiding burnout. I’ve also learned to value moments of rest and activities outside of science, which help me stay focused and productive. In my free time, I love engaging in creative and physical activities that allow me to disconnect from work. I enjoy painting, playing the piano, and practicing sports, which help me clear my mind and recharge. These hobbies not only bring me joy but also improve my focus and well-being, making it easier to handle the challenges of research.

What advice would you give to women considering a career in medical physics or technologies?

My main advice is: don’t be afraid to take up space. Medical Physics and healthcare technologies need more women bringing new perspectives. Seek mentors, get involved in challenging projects, and believe in your potential. The path can be difficult, but the reward of contributing to science and impacting lives is immense.

What is the most challenging part of this work for you personally? What do you struggle with?

The most challenging part for me is dealing with the uncertainty that comes with research. We work with emerging technologies and new methodologies, which means things don’t always go as planned. There are constant setbacks, and it takes a lot of patience and adaptability to keep moving forward.

Do you have a personal goal you’d like to achieve?

On a personal level, I want to be someone who can collaborate positively with others, always open to new ideas and different perspectives. I believe that growth—both personal and professional—comes from continuous learning, so I never want to stop studying and improving myself.

What qualities and skills do you think make a successful scientist?

Curiosity, resilience, and collaboration. A good scientist must always be seeking answers and not be afraid of challenges. Research doesn’t always go as expected, so adaptability and perseverance are essential. Being able to work in a team and communicate findings clearly is also crucial for scientific progress.

Martina Jelínková
martina.jelinkova@fnusa.cz