WOMEN in the field of science know it's hard to make a name for themselves.

According to the United States Department of Commerce, women make up close to half the US workforce, but fewer than a quarter of them work as scientists.

In Singapore, two women scientists have stood out for their contributions.

Dr Liu Bin, 37, gained recognition for developing a type of low-cost, high-efficiency solar cell. Dr Juliana Chan, 27, was lauded for designing hybrid nano particles for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and growing 3-D webs of blood vessels that could have an impact on cancer research, potentially reducing the number of animals used in drug tests.

An encouraging message

The two women were awarded the L'Oreal Singapore For Women In Science National Fellowships on Aug 25 in a ceremony held at the ArtScience Museum.

They also received $30,000 each as part of the award.

"This is the recognition I need to know that I am doing well," said Dr Liu with a laugh. "But above that, this award promotes female scientists and I think it sends out a very encouraging message to women."

In a report on the under-representation of women in science and mathematics published last year, the American Association of University Women cited a study showing that women had to publish three more papers in prestigious journals, or 20 more in less-known publications, to be deemed as productive as their male peers.

Dr Chan said: "Women scientists have more naysayers and sceptics who think we are there simply to fill an unspoken gender quota of 50-50, men-to- women ratio.

"Women scientists have to work doubly hard to be taken half as seriously."

Dr Liu observed that some women professors at the National University of Singapore's Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, where she works, clock in long hours at the laboratory, even during late stages of their pregnancies.

Similarly, Dr Chan is no stranger to overtime.

"A colleague once told me that he felt I was trying too hard to prove myself, because when everyone had left work on Friday evenings, I would still be in the lab," she said. "And on most weekends, you would find me in the lab by 9am."

Her hard work has paid off, though - Dr Chan graduated last year from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Department of Biology after just 31/2 years, instead of the usual six years.

A balancing act

Dr Chan, who got married three months ago, may face another hurdle in the not-so-distant future. "Other women scientists who have children told me that it is a tough balancing act," she said.

"One thing's for sure: I definitely want to play a big part in my children's lives, so I will need to re-evaluate my life priorities when that day comes."

For Dr Liu, a supportive husband and family is the key to having work-life balance.

Said the mother of a five-year-old son and a one-month- old daughter: "I'm grateful that my family helps me look after my children whenever I have to work overtime."

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