As we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we recognise women who are making a difference through their expertise, leadership, and commitment to progress.
Boitumelo Mokoatsi is a Research Microbiologist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa, where she contributes to scientific research involving microbes and their applications. She has been involved in monitoring and working with microbial systems as part of CSIR’s biotechnology and industrial research efforts, including work reported in the organisation’s ScienceScope publication that highlights her role in monitoring the production of microbes in bioprocessing contexts.
Mokoatsi holds a BSc (Biochemistry, Chemistry & Microbiology) and BScHons (Microbiology) from Nelson Mandela University.
1. What first sparked your interest in pursuing a career in science?
From early high school, I was fascinated by the idea of the “unknown.” I felt there had to be life beyond what the naked eye can see - not only from a religious perspective, but scientifically. As I researched this curiosity, I came across Microbiology.
It’s a field dedicated to exploring organisms invisible to the eye, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa, and understanding how they live and interact with their environments to drive advances in healthcare, food production and industry. It really tickled my brain. When I discovered that Nelson Mandela University offered the course, I took a chance. What better way to study what I love than along the beautiful coastal beaches of South Africa? It was a two-in-one deal, and I never looked back. (Special thanks to the Biochemistry, Microbiology, Human Anatomy and Physiology Department at South Campus.)
2. What’s something you wish students better understood about working in this field?
Science is not just about the fancy lab coats and the selfies we take in the lab (LOL). It’s about genuinely striving to find better, cheaper and more practical ways to improve people’s lives, both nationally and globally.
Another beautiful thing about science careers is that they are often multidisciplinary. You’ll find chemists, analysts, biologists, engineers and many others working together toward a common goal. This also gives you the opportunity to grow your own skill set by learning about different areas of science and technology.
3. What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
I’ve received a lot, but the one that really resonates with me is that every day is different. Some days you’ll feel like you’re conquering the world, and other days you’ll feel like crawling into a hole. On those tougher days, it’s completely okay to take a break and find your footing again. But no matter what happens, never forget why you started and why it matters.
4. What’s a common myth about women in science that you would love to debunk?
For the longest time, science was viewed as a men’s field because they were supposedly better at maths, science and technology. Over the years, we can all agree that this is simply not true. There are many women building strong national and international profiles in the field.
Another myth is that women can’t balance work and family because science is time-consuming. I know many women who go home to their families at the end of the day and are still producing outstanding scientific work. It often comes down to having a solid support structure, both at work and at home.
5. What message would you like to share with young females who are considering a future in STEM?
If you find yourself thinking about it regularly, do it! That’s the universe pointing you toward your next move. If you didn’t want it, you wouldn’t be thinking about it so much.
STEM offers many opportunities for bursaries and conferences. Conferences are incredible - you get to see what other scientists, technologists and engineers are doing to impact the world, and you also build networks of people who can support and guide you on your journey.
As we mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Boitumelo Mokoatsi’s journey reminds us that curiosity, courage and commitment can open doors to meaningful impact. Through her work at the CSIR, she continues to push the boundaries of microbiological research while encouraging young women to see themselves in laboratories, research teams and leadership roles across STEM. Her story is a celebration of possibility - and a call to the next generation to step forward and shape the future of science.