Impulso femenino en la ciencia en Tenerife

Women dominate scientific staff with the Canary Islands at the forefront, according to Eurostat data from 2024, which states that the archipelago is the Spanish region with the highest concentration of women in STEM careers, reaching 54.6% of the total workforce in these sectors, surpassing other autonomous communities such as Madrid (50.8%) or the eastern region comprising Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands (49.9%),

This reality is reflected in many of the infrastructures of the Cabildo, which have been key in the training and consolidation of female talent in science. The Cabildo de Tenerife directly manages important scientific entities working in various fields of knowledge, such as the Science and Technology Park, the Technological and Renewable Energy Institute (ITER), the Volcanological Institute of the Canaries (INVOLCAN), the Museum of Science and the Cosmos, and the Museum of Natural Sciences of Tenerife (MUNA).

These organizations not only play a fundamental role in research and the development of technological and environmental projects in the Canary Islands but have also been crucial in the training of young female scientists through outreach and awareness programs. The insular structure allows girls and young people with a scientific vocation to develop professionally in their areas of interest, fostering a local talent pool that is increasingly impacting the national and international scientific community.

The President of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, has emphasized the importance of continuing to promote initiatives that foster scientific vocations in girls and young people on the island because «talent has no gender, and science should not either. However, for decades, many women have had to fight to prove that they could contribute as much as their male counterparts in the scientific field.»

Currently, women account for 56% of enrollments in public universities in the Canary Islands, with a significant and consistent presence in the academic field. However, in STEM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), they only represent around 15% to 16%.

For Rosa Dávila, it is necessary to encourage entrepreneurial vocations and support initiatives that promote the presence of women in research and technology, ensuring that girls and young people have close role models, such as María Asensio, Rafaela González, Antonia Varela, or Fátima Hernández, among many other exceptional female scientists. We want every girl who dreams of exploring or discovering the world to have the same opportunities to make it a reality.

She has also highlighted the importance of visibility and access to knowledge. «Example is the best tool to transform the future. When a girl sees a woman leading a laboratory, working on a volcanic eruption, studying the universe, or researching the biodiversity of her environment, she understands that she can do it too. In Tenerife, we have great female role models in science, and our commitment is to continue promoting their visibility and creating spaces of equality in research. Because a society that values knowledge and innovation cannot afford to leave behind the talent of half of its population,» says Rosa Dávila.

References in Tenerife Science

In this context, we want to highlight the work of four scientists who, through their work, represent the talent and effort of women in science in Tenerife. These professionals have dedicated their lives to research and have achieved significant advances in their respective fields.

María Asensio: The chemistry of volcanoes

María Asensio, a chemist from Tenerife and a scientist at the Volcanological Institute of the Canaries (INVOLCAN), is a clear example of the impact of local talent in research. Her work in helium geochemistry has been crucial in geothermal exploration in the Canary Islands and in monitoring the eruption of the Tajogaite volcano in 2021, providing fundamental data on volcanic activity in the archipelago.

From her early years at the University of La Laguna, Asensio demonstrated exceptional scientific curiosity, leading her to receive the Extraordinary Award for a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry in 2007. With the support of the Cabildo, she joined INVOLCAN in 2013 through a Torres Quevedo contract, designed to specialize researchers in strategic interest areas. Since then, her work has been essential in understanding the geothermal processes of the archipelago and providing innovative solutions in the energy sector.

Rafaela González: Advances in genetics and health

Another researcher who has brought science in Tenerife to a level of excellence is Rafaela González, a Ph.D. in Biology and director of the Genomics Laboratory at the Technological and Renewable Energy Institute (ITER). Her work in personalized medicine and genetics reinforces the importance of scientific research applied to health.

From ITER, González leads projects aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of diseases through genetics. Her participation in the National Personalized Medicine Plan has allowed the development of key studies on the impact of DNA on various pathologies, opening new opportunities in precision medicine.

Antonia Varela: The study of the cosmos and scientific outreach

In the field of astronomy and scientific outreach, Antonia Varela, a researcher at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canaries (IAC) and director of the Museum of Science and the Cosmos, stands out. She has dedicated her career to the protection of the night sky and the promotion of astronomical knowledge, sparking scientific curiosity in children through educational experiences.

Varela is also the director of the Starlight Foundation, an organization working to protect the night sky and promote astronomical tourism in privileged natural environments. Thanks to her leadership, Tenerife has become a global reference in astronomical observation and in raising awareness about the importance of preserving the quality of the sky.

Fátima Hernández: The biodiversity of the Canary Islands at MUNA

To this list of role models, we add Fátima Hernández, a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of La Laguna and director of the Museum of Natural Sciences of Tenerife (MUNA) since 2013. Her work has focused on the conservation and dissemination of the biodiversity of the Canary Islands, promoting the study of local flora and fauna and fostering interest in nature among the new generations.

From MUNA, Hernández has launched initiatives to bring science closer to the public and highlight the role of women in biology and environmental research. Her work in the conservation of endemic species and environmental education has been crucial in raising awareness about the importance of protecting the natural heritage of the islands.