Highlighting women in science: An interview with Dr Zoe Hewitt

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the United Nations' International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11th February 2025, AMSBIO sat down with Dr Zoe Hewitt, a leading expert in cell and gene therapy manufacturing and co-founder of Regen CTC.

In this engaging Q&A session, Dr Hewitt shared her unexpected path into the scientific field, discusses the ongoing challenges women face in science, and offers practical strategies to enhance diversity within the life sciences. She talks about the inspirations behind her scientific journey, the vital role of early role models, her groundbreaking work developing cells for a pioneering blindness therapy, and the steps companies and individuals can take to support women in science.

Reflecting on a significant milestone in her career, Dr. Hewitt said: “One of my proudest moments was in 2010, working on a project led by Pete Coffey at UCL that helped develop a stem cell therapy for blindness. My team manufactured the starting material for the Master Cell Bank that supported the 'London Project to Cure Blindness’, which aims to restore vision in patients with macular degeneration. Knowing that people are walking around London today, able to see because of RPE cells differentiated from cells generated in our clean room, is incredible.”

When asked about the actions needed to promote diversity in life science research, Dr Hewitt emphasised the importance of challenging stereotypes from an early age, fostering mentorship and networking opportunities, encouraging equitable hiring practices, and creating workplace environments that support diverse employees.

Click here to read the interview in full. 

AMSBIO provides a comprehensive range of high-quality stem cell products, including fresh tissues from diverse donors and disease states, cell lines, and custom pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) generation services. Their innovative growth media, supplements, and reagents ensure optimal stem cell culture conditions, while cryopreservation and differentiation solutions maintain cell integrity and functionality. AMSBIO’s GMP-compliant manufacturing products and services also facilitate a smooth transition from research to clinical applications.

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