On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS), GLUCOTYPES highlights the women whose curiosity, expertise and collaboration are helping advance our understanding of cardiometabolic health.
The 2026 theme — “Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls” — underscores something we experience every day in GLUCOTYPES: complex health challenges demand interdisciplinary thinking, diverse expertise, and inclusive scientific communities.
We asked three women involved in the project what science means to them — and what message they would share with the next generation.
Curiosity and determination at the heart of science
“Being a scientist is about staying curious of how things work and determined enough to pursue answers despite challenges along the way. Scientific questions are so diverse and complex that getting closer to answers requires interdisciplinary collaboration and a diversity of perspectives.”
Irena Trbojević Akmačić, PhD — Head of Glycomics, Genos. Within GLUCOTYPES, Irena investigates the role of protein glycosylation in type 2 diabetes.
For Irena, science begins with curiosity — but it does not stop there. Advancing knowledge requires persistence, resilience, and a willingness to engage with complexity. In GLUCOTYPES, understanding cardiometabolic disease means integrating biological insights, advanced analytics, and clinical research. No single discipline can provide all the answers.
Different angles, stronger science
“Science improves when different people tackle the same problem from different angles.”
Raquel Van den Eynde — Research Assistant, Maastricht University (NUTRIM). Raquel contributes to the development of glucotypes through CGM analytics and supports the design and execution of the precision nutrition intervention (GAIN study).
GLUCOTYPES brings together data scientists, nutrition researchers, clinicians and technology experts to better understand blood glucose patterns and their health implications. Raquel’s perspective reflects a fundamental principle of scientific progress: when diverse expertise converges, research becomes more robust, creative and impactful.
Collaboration is not simply coordination — it is the deliberate integration of perspectives to generate deeper insight.
Building a future where every voice matters
“I am very lucky to be surrounded by smart, ambitious, and kind women who drive me to be the best version of myself. To any young girl aspiring a career in science, know that your presence and voice matter.”
Aranka Hillebrink — PhD candidate, Maastricht University (NUTRIM). In GLUCOTYPES, Aranka supports the design and execution of the precision nutrition intervention (GAIN study).
For early-career researchers, supportive environments are essential. Mentorship, representation and inclusive teams shape not only scientific output, but scientific culture. Aranka’s message is clear: science thrives when young women feel encouraged to contribute, question, and lead. Building inclusive research teams today lays the foundation for more equitable and impactful science tomorrow.
Bettering health together
From glycomics and data analytics to nutrition interventions, GLUCOTYPES reflects the strength of interdisciplinary collaboration and diverse scientific voices. On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate not only the achievements of individual women, but the collective power of inclusive teams working together to tackle complex health challenges.
Because better science begins with curiosity — and reaches its full potential when everyone has a seat at the table.
