International Day of Women in Science
On the occasion of the 2026 International Day of Women in Science, taking place each year in February 11th, we proudly spotlight Eva Potthoff, MSAT Circle Lead at ten23 health.
On the occasion of the 2026 International Day of Women in Science, taking place each year in February 11th, we proudly spotlight Eva Potthoff, MSAT Circle Lead at ten23 health. With a strong scientific and technical background from ETH Zürich and leadership experience in Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT), Eva drives operational excellence and innovation in sterile drug product manufacturing. Beyond her professional achievements, Eva is also a mother of two and has recently returned to work from maternity leave — bringing both scientific expertise and authentic life experience to her role. Her contributions exemplify the value of diverse perspectives in science and reinforce our commitment to empowering women at every stage of their careers.
1. Hello Eva, you just returned to work after your maternity break. How is it going?
I had the opportunity to return to ten23 after my extended maternity leave with a small percentage workload. With flexibility in my tasks and responsibilities, I was able to manage my return to work well alongside my new family situation at home. Being a mother does not limit me; instead, it allows me to work even more efficiently, all within a supportive and understanding work environment.
2. What inspired you to pursue a career in science, and can you share a pivotal moment or role model that influenced your decision to enter the field?
I was already interested in science, especially biology, when I was young and in school. Growing up with two sisters, my parents always encouraged us to try the things we liked and follow our own paths. Gender equality was therefore a core value I experienced from an early age, and pursuing a career in science never really felt unconventional or out of reach. Along the way, I have met successful women who supported me and inspired my own career journey, helping me grow. This started with my PhD supervisor and continued with supervisors throughout my career in the pharmaceutical industry. Companies like ten23 health allow me to follow my own path, use my strengths, and make a difference.
3. As a woman scientist, what challenges have you encountered in your career, and how have you overcome them? Additionally, do you have any advice for aspiring female scientists facing similar obstacles?
During my career as a scientist, I have had mostly positive experiences. Nevertheless, there were situations — for example, when starting a new role or entering a new environment — where I was challenged by colleagues and peers. Especially as a young woman, there were times when I felt I had to prove myself more than some of my male colleagues. My general advice is to know your strengths and believe in yourself. Look for supportive sparring partners who encourage you in what you do and help dispel doubts that may arise in such situations.
4. In celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science, can you highlight a significant achievement or project you’ve worked on that you are particularly proud of? How do you believe your contributions have made a positive impact in your field or beyond?
During my PhD, I worked on the proof of concept for a newly developed technology, and we were able to demonstrate its first applications. Today, this technology is more widely used and has resulted in several high-impact publications. It feels good to make a difference and to have contributed to this development in its early stages. In my current role as MSAT Circle Lead at ten23 health, I am also proud to support a successful, dynamic team and to make an important contribution to delivering safe products to customers and patients in need.
What message from Eva’s journey resonated most with you — and what do you think organizations can do to better support women at different stages of their science careers? Write it in the comments.
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