ALT The image shows a sketch of Dr Katharine Collins, the co-inventor of the R21 malaria vaccine. Dr Collins is wearing a lab coat on one side and holding a falcon tube and on the other side typing on a laptop. Surrounding Katharine are icons representing her contribution in the development of the R21 vaccine.

ALT Image text: In honor of IWD, we would like to recognize Dr. Katharine Collins, who was nominated for the WiM Sketches.  Dr. Collins is the co-inventor of the R21 malaria vaccine, which helps prevent malaria in children. R21 is the second malaria vaccine recommended by the World Health Organisation. This work was the focus of her PhD at Oxford University under Professor Adrian Hill.  She later worked with James McCarthy at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research on transmission models of infection, and with Teun Bousema at Radboud University on controlled human malaria infection models. She has also served on the WHO malaria vaccine advisory committee and has actively been in involved with WiM for several years. Dr. Collins currently works inon Global Health R&D at Coefficient Giving (previously Open Philanthropy) where she helps support research with the greatest potential to improve global health and save lives.

ALT Sketch of a woman scientist looking through a microscope with various symbols to represent STEM fields. On top of the sketch is a text in celebration of the international day of women and girls in science, describing some of the current gender gaps in the STEM fields (% of women of the research workforce, pay gap, etc). We also discuss how people can help narrow the gap by joining the fight, such as joining/establishing committees, joining communities, provide mentorship and foster supportive environment.