Ribosomes, tiny testes and diversity in STEM
In celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Dr. Julie Aspden is interviewed by ProteinTech for the first-ever episode of their podcast, Lessons from Life Leaders.
Dr. Aspden, an Associate Professor in the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, joins a distinguished lineup of life science leaders to discuss her research motivations, work-life balance, friendships in science, and the biggest scientific breakthroughs.
In the episode, Dr. Aspden speaks candidly about the highs of research, her passion for supporting women in STEM, and the mentors who shaped her career—including a woman scientist and ordained priest whose research helped improve understanding of miscarriages and guide genetic counselling for affected families.
As you can imagine, that experience was incredibly challenging emotionally, but it made me realise how understanding our genes has a profound impact on people’s lives. It also showed me that, as a woman, it’s possible to make a difference in the world of science.
She also delves into the fascinating world of ribosomes—the molecular machines in our cells that produce proteins—and how new discoveries are contributing to vaccine development.
Dr. Aspden first developed an interest in ribosomes while studying as a Biochemistry undergraduate. During a summer placement at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, a time when the first structure of the ribosome was being uncovered, she became inspired to take this research further. Today, ribosome biology and RNA remains a major theme in her research group.
Supporting women in STEM
The frank conversation also explores the realities of being a woman in science—the progress made since the early days, including university initiatives like Athena SWAN, and what more needs to be done.
"I’ve been very lucky to have had many opportunities that I once took for granted. But as I’ve progressed in my career, I’ve come to realise that others haven’t always had the same experiences. Some may lack the confidence or financial support to pursue these opportunities,” added Dr. Aspden.
So, as a research leader, I work hard to minimize these barriers—not only to help people reach their potential but also to foster diversity in my environment. Different perspectives are essential for advancing science.
The Lessons from Life Leaders series is hosted by Dr. Amy Turner, a Scientific Marketing Specialist at ProteinTech and a Leeds alumna, who earned her PhD from the University of Leeds in 2023.
"It was great chatting to Amy about my research journey- and what an honour it is to kick of what’s going to be a great podcast series.”
Watch the episode below or listen wherever you find your podcasts.
