Celebrated annually on 26th April, World Intellectual Property Day provides an opportunity to shine the spotlight on the work of innovators and inventors across a broad range of industries.
In the spirit of this year’s theme, “Women in IP,” Forresters caught up with some of the women involved in the ground-breaking achievements of our clients, discussing the work they do, what being a woman in their industry is like, and why they sought protection for their intellectual property.
In today’s article, we speak to Laura Barrera Moreno, Senior Research Scientist at Entia. Forresters has assisted Entia with a number of patent applications relating to Entia’s exciting new technology developed to improve the quality of life for millions of patients receiving cancer care.
Tell us a little bit about Entia.
Entia is building a world where we live long and healthier lives because cancer care is personalised to us. Entia is transforming healthcare with revolutionary home monitoring solutions that offer unique insights into a person’s health during cancer therapy. The solutions provided by Entia enable healthcare providers to manage patients outside of the hospital and deliver more preventative models of care. Entia is equipping healthcare professionals with a holistic understanding of their patients’ health that help streamline clinical services and mitigate the costly side effects of therapy.
Entia works in partnership with patients, dedicated healthcare professionals and world-renowned healthcare centres to develop virtual solutions that can fundamentally transform cancer care.
What does the work you do mean to you?
My role in this industry allows me to make a positive impact in the world by utilising my knowledge to develop technology with the hope that it will one day improve the quality of life for many people. In addition, it gives me the opportunity and freedom to work in my passion which is research and innovation.
I hope that my role as a researcher and innovator allows me to inspire other young women to pursue their passions and follow this career path, especially if they too come from a background like mine in Latin America where there are limited possibilities to innovate at this level. Opportunities are out there and it’s an exciting time to join the industry.
What is it like to be a woman in your industry?
Being a woman in research and innovation can be challenging. I am aware and grateful for the effort of the many women before me who broke down the professional barriers faced by women in science so that the skills and knowledge of women could be respected and given the opportunity to add value to important research. However, some industries haven’t quite caught up.
Being part of a STEM discipline, I have found myself in a room where I am the only woman among 10 men. The lack of diversity unfortunately widens the pay gap and reduces the number of women in influential and leadership positions. There is still work to do for all of us to improve the balance.
What advice would you give to other female innovators early in their careers?
My advice to other female innovators early in their careers is to never stop dreaming. Dreams do come true if you pair them with hard work, perseverance, and passion for what you do.
I would also recommend supporting each other. Being capable of both giving and receiving guidance and support where necessary has benefitted my professional growth over the years. Don’t forget to be kind to each other, share your stories and keep inspiring other women.
Thank you to Laura for taking the time to speak with us about World Intellectual Property Day.
