It's International Women's Day on Friday 8 March – a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year's theme is Balance for Better, which calls for a more gender-balanced society. From the board room to the government, media coverage to employment, gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive.

To celebrate International Women's Day, we spoke to women from the Faculty of Life Science & Medicine King's about their careers, inspirations and what drives them.

"Women that want to study/work in my field should be advised: …just do it …. the sky is the limit"

Dr Maya Thanou is a Reader in the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science based in the School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences. 

What are you proudest of in your career?

I am proudest of my innovations. 

Why did you decide to go into this field of study/research/work? What would you tell women who want to study in your field?

This is a field that I can express my creativity. Women that want to study/work in my field should be advised: … “ just do it” …. “the sky is the limit”

Who or what made you want to work in this field? How has your field changed since you started, and where do you see it going in the future?

The last pages of the last chapter of the main textbook I used when I was at the last year of my University degree. It was a glimpse on the research to come and it was exciting! The field has changed significantly, now it is a requirement to be interdisciplinary scientist. I foresee that my field will change again and will transform more to address the unmet clinical needs. AI, digital or electronic devices, and novel materials will be combined to provide solutions to current healthcare problems.