Soapbox Science 2022

Soapbox: Did you choose a scientific career or did the scientific career choose you?

Alona Shagan Shomron: I think it was both. From a very young age I was drawn to science and I was fascinated by nature and the basic fundamentals of life. I wanted to become a medical Dr, to help people and treat uncurable diseases. Growing up, I understood that there are many other ways to contribute to the society, and since I loved chemistry and technology, I decided to become an engineer and a scientist and to develop solutions in the medical field.

Soapbox: What is the most exciting aspect of your research?

AS: I always start with an unmet need, and try to develop the solution. I work with different materials and match their properties with the needs of the application. When a material fails to fulfill its goal, or we decide we need other characteristics, I try to design or modify the properties to improve the performance.

Soapbox: What challenges do you encounter in science?

AS: Working in an international environment bring a lot of cultures together, and everyone have to be sensitive to each other, while expressing themselves. This is one of the main challenges, but it teaches me a lot about people and exposes me to great ideas that I would’ve never learn in a familiar environment. Stepping out of your comfort zone, can really enhance the science we are doing.

Soapbox: What motivates you to give a talk in Soapbox Science?

AS: I am a big science communication enthusiast. Doing the research is one thing, but I wouldn’t like my studies to stay on papers. Science should be more accessible to everyone, and we as scientists are responsible to make an effort and communicate it. The technology that we create, should serve the society, because “With great power comes great responsibility”.

Soapbox: Do you have a few words to inspire other female or young scientists?

AS: Don’t give up if you are the only person from a minority group that seems to be interested in a specific topic. Having support is important, but so do having opportunities. There are no “feminine” or “masculine” occupations/fields. If you are the only one now, it might just be because you are the first one, and that could be a great honor one day.

Soapbox: In these pandemic days, what funny/interesting experiments, books, talks or podcasts can you recommend to our audience?

AS: I recommend watching “Abstract: The Art of Design, Neri Oxman: Bio-Architecture”. A very inspiring and talented scientist, who leads a lab in MIT media lab. I also recommend watching Simon Sinek’s TED talk or reading his book about how do leaders inspire other people to action.