International Day of Women and Girls in Science
February 11, 2026 – The United Nations declared February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, recognizing the need to bring diverse perspectives, fresh talent and creativity to the field. Since that original declaration in 2013, there is still a ways to go to achieve gender parity in science, technology, engineering and math.
In LFS, we want to highlight a few students who shared why they are passionate about science.
Miyu Maemura, Undergraduate student in Food, Nutrition and Health (Dietetics Major)
“I enjoy studying science, especially physiology and nutrition, because it is directly connected to our everyday lives. What excites me most is learning how precisely and efficiently the human body functions, and how everything we eat can influence our body’s performance.”
Golshan Matinfar, PhD student in Food Science
“What excites me most about science is that it is never static. Every answer opens the door to new questions, pushing us to think critically. Through this process, we decode the complexity of the natural world and transform that understanding into meaningful improvements in everyday life.”
Luna Omiddoust, Undergraduate student in Applied Animal Biology
“What has kept the fire going for me is the moment when multiple familiar subjects suddenly click. That quiet but powerful “lightbulb moment,” when a collection of scattered facts falls into place, is deeply satisfying. Science invites you into that process over and over again.”
Pragti Varshney, Undergraduate student in Global Resource Systems
“What excites me most about science is its ability to transform curiosity into meaningful, real-world impact. Science encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and evidence-based decision-making, which are essential for addressing complex global challenges.”
Tagged with: 2026, Applied Animal Biology, Applied Biology, Equity Diversity Inclusion and Indigeneity, Food Nutrition and Health, Food Science, Global Resource Systems, Women and Girls in Science