Women in Science NZ 2015

Jilly F. Evans PhD, FRSNZ (Hon)

I LOVE the CHEMISTRY of LIFE

Jill Davis 1972 Jilly Evans 2014

B.Sc., Biochemistry/Cell Biology Auckland, NZ 1972 M.Sc. (1st class Hons.) Cell Biology, Auckland , NZ 1974

Ph.D. Biochemistry, U.B.C., Vancouver, Canada 1978

Postdoc. Biochemistry McGill, Montreal, Canada 1980-1983

Biochemist Merck Research Labs Montreal, Canada 1983-1998 Director Biology Merck USA 1998-2005

Founding member; V.P. Amira Pharmaceuticals 2005-2011◦ KEA NZ Biotechnologist of the year 2010

Internal consultant Celgene 2011-2012 CSO PharmAkea Therapeutics 2012-now◦ Distinguished Alumni, Auckland University 2013

3

Married 1977 to Bill Evans (industrial chemist in explosives)

Two sons David (born 1980) Jon (born 1982)

Lily and Violet (grand-daughters, born 2010, 2011) plus 1 (Sept 2015!)

David

Jon

Lily

Violet

4

“…success and likability are positively correlated for men and negatively correlated for women. When a man is successful, he is liked by both men and women. When a woman is successful, people of both genders like her less.”

Are women given equal chances?

“Many women unknowingly “leave before they leave” by making career decisions based on future what-ifs rather than current potential.

Do women sabotage themselves?

On completion of jobs: “Done is better than perfect.”

On a career path; “It’s a jungle gym, not a ladder”

Take opportunities as they present themselves; make your own opportunities

More from Sheryl Sandberg

“Will is matter in a years time?”

Don’t take project/science criticism personally

Don’t assume what someone says about you is always true!

There are many senior leadership male role models and “old boy networks”

Women are good at personal networks, less good at business networks…

HELP your female (and male) colleagues: be a mentor whenever possible; be generous

Colleagues like working with/for positive people

Women tend to undervalue themselves and fail to take enough credit for their accomplishments

Women may think it is arrogant to ask for more pay, better conditions, promotions...

AIM HIGH VALUE YOURSELF

“Mum you’re the best, chuck out the rest” Jon Evans (4 yrs)

Keep it simple-key skills, why you are best for job-listen and answer the questions asked-ask questions about the job (not salary!)

No umms and ahs

Be confident (CAN DO)

Learn from each experience

Keep Learning New Skills

New skills will open up new career opportunitiesExercise both your mind and body

“The wisest mind has something yet to learn.”George Santayana

It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer. Albert Einstein

1997 Fort Worth Texas

2008 Otago Science Fair

Feb 2015 Big Bear CA

Jilly’s Top Tip 2015

Believe in yourself