7# Fotini Lamari: Leading with Passion and Balance in STEM

Fotini Lamari, Professor of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products at the University of Patras, has dedicated her academic career to advancing the field of biosciences. Since her studies in Chemistry at the University of Patras in the early 1990s, Fotini has seamlessly blended intellectual curiosity with a profound dedication to research. Her groundbreaking work earned her the prestigious L'Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science in 2011 and continues to inspire the next generation of scientists.

While Fotini acknowledges the challenges faced by women in STEM, she highlights the most significant hurdle in her own career as the struggle to balance her demanding professional responsibilities with raising her two children. Navigating the dual roles of a scholar and a mother, she credits her support system—particularly her mother’s help in the early years—as crucial to managing the stresses of academia and family life.

Her passion for science began early, and Fotini’s path into STEM was shaped by a commitment to meritocracy and a desire to contribute to scientific discovery. A key to her success, she believes, was the opportunity to study abroad at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and later conduct postdoctoral research with the support of scholarships from the Swedish Institute and the Hellenic State Scholarships Foundation.

Fotini believes that cultivating interest in STEM fields should start early, with hands-on education that promotes curiosity, problem-solving, and creativity. She emphasizes the need for accessible workshops, internships, and exposure to diverse STEM careers to help children, especially girls, see themselves in these roles.

At the University of Patras, Fotini has been fortunate not to face gender discrimination. She believes success in academia should be purely merit-based, with no gender barriers to prevent one from thriving. However, she advocates for greater societal support for working mothers, including accessible childcare and a shift in attitudes toward shared responsibilities at home.

Fotini’s vision for the future is one where gender equality in STEM is no longer a topic of conversation but a universal reality. She hopes to one day read the headline, “Gender Equality is a Reality in STEM Fields,” marking a true milestone in the ongoing fight for equal opportunities for all