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Editorial
. 2017 Aug 25;8(9):900-902.
doi: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.7b00321. eCollection 2017 Sep 14.

Medicinal Chemistry: Where Are All the Women?

Donna M Huryn  1 , Maria Laura Bolognesi  2 , Wendy B Young  3
Affiliations
Editorial

Medicinal Chemistry: Where Are All the Women?

Donna M Huryn et al. ACS Med Chem Lett. .

Abstract

A review of multiple parameters including membership in professional organizations, corresponding authorship of medicinal chemistry journal articles, and representation in professional and leadership positions reveals that the percentage of women who participate in professional medicinal chemistry activities is less than 20%. These surrogate demographics are consistent across organizations, regions in the world and the various parameters evaluated, and parallel statistics compiled on the broader participation of women in all STEM fields. As in other STEM fields, a leaky pipeline is also evident. Suggestions for how to encourage and support women in medicinal chemistry in order to provide a more balanced representation are provided.

Keywords: Medicinal chemistry; careers; leaky pipeline; women in STEM; women in science.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

References

    1. Nobel Prize Awarded Women. http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/lists/women.html (accessed Aug 6 2017).

    1. Historically, approximately 25% of MEDI members do not identify gender.

    1. Woster P. M. Foreword: American Chemical Society Division of Medincal Chemistry. Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence. J. Med. Chem. 2009, 52, 7333–7338. 10.1021/jm901089d. - DOI - PubMed
    1. EFMC Adhering Organizations. http://www.efmc.info/organisations.php?langue=english&cle_menus=11100179... (accessed Aug 6 2017).

    1. This number is based on a list of corresponding authors from 2011 to 2016 for both ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters and Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

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