In my experience both as a scientist and as a coach helping other scientists, I’ve come to know very well three obstacles or roadblocks that might have a huge impact on your scientific career, the decisions you make, and your overall satisfaction. These three roadblocks are: the definition of scientific success, the impostor syndrome, and feeling like a failure.

I’ve always been a worrier. My childhood memories are littered with flash moments of concern beyond my years. Mixed with reasonable trepidation for murderous clowns and a definite anxiety of Hansel and Gretel type torture, a regular dose of the BBC’s Sir David Attenborough meant that I also worried on a regular basis about the plight of pandas, rhinos, rainforests and reefs. I was a serious child.

In this challenging world, everyone has a tendency to look for the best way of living. A considerable number of people, especially women, feel gender inequality. However others hold on the contrary opinion believing that there is no case for worrying. I concede that often gender rights are abased and I would like to present my condition as a female scientist in my country, which I will illustrate with examples based on my own experience.

After the first interview of Nancy Ip about China and Science published monday, discover what are the today's trends and advancement of women in science both in the West and in China. Prof. Ip shares some insights and advice with us.

When I started the university courses, the first question I asked to myself was: “Why only 3 girls and 40 boys in the classrooms?” The answer arrived when I noticed the surprised look in the eyes of (almost all men) professors during the examinations that were successful, like saying “She is good notwithstanding she is a girl!”. I thought: “What ignorance!” without too much caring. Some years later I understood that this behaviour was very dangerous and it was the  justification for slowing down or stopping the career of a woman in science.

…. Then you’re part of the problem". This claim was part of the American FWIS campaign three years ago. Some of you may question this. What’s the point after all? That “Science” could be a “male” discipline? That it could still be considered as valid in 2010? Or that you did picture a man? On the other hand, if all this is true, why should we care? Well, guess what, it is true, truer than ever and we care a big deal.

Sometimes words are just pale copies of one’s thoughts. It is often difficult to use them in the right manner. Sometimes, eternity is required to describe a single moment and explain the thought. A beginning is the hardest. I am playing with these words to present you my life story. My dreams and wishes.

Good role models teach their students to take responsibility and confront difficulties head on. Dr. Eugenia del Pino Veintimilla writes about one of her professors, a woman scientist who ''inspired us to achieve our potential at the highest level.''

One of Africa's most accomplished woman scientists, Nigerian researcher Dr. Adeyinka Falusi, tells the exciting story of the discovery that launched her exemplary career. Her passion for scientific research comes shining through.