Growing Conviction in STEM: A Q&A With Dr. Annett Rozek

I founded?Terramera?to transform how food is grown and the economics of agriculture. But I’m not the only one who’s striving to change the world. In “The Core Question” I’ll be sharing my learnings and talking to purpose-driven leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers about some of the most important questions we’re facing today. My goal is to start a conversation, so please read, comment and subscribe!

Today, November 8, is National STEM Day, and what better way to celebrate than to highlight the work of my colleague, friend, and trailblazer, Dr. Annett Rozek. Annett holds a degree in chemistry from Berlin’s Humboldt University and completed her PhD at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. She is passionate about finding cleaner ways to grow our food and making agricultural research and development more sophisticated, effective and successful. Annett consistently pushes the boundaries of research, science and technology. Indeed, she was key in developing our revolutionary?Actigate targeted performance technology, which was recognized as a?World Changing Idea. She is also a member of the Mitacs Research Council and mentors women in tech through Locelle, a local professional development program. This year, she was nominated for the prestigious YWCA Women of Distinction award for making a difference through her work. We are so fortunate to have her at?Terramera?as our Chief Scientific Officer where she helps create products and applications that help make farms more productive, profitable and sustainable. Here’s what she shared:?

What was your path to starting a career in STEM??I remember the first time I peeked through a microscope into a drop of lake water at school. I was fascinated with the beauty and diversity of life in there. I knew then that I wanted to be a scientist and decided to study chemistry. The rest is history!

Can you share a personal experience that elevated you in the early days of your career and encouraged your belief in yourself??I grew up in East Germany, in East Berlin, actually. The fall of the Berlin Wall was one of the most formidable experiences in my life. I had grown up in the belief that this wall was unsurmountable, but within months, it had crumbled and fallen. Since then, I know most of our limitations are just in our head. Changing beliefs can be hugely empowering.

Our work at Terramera aims to reduce the global synthetic pesticide load. What would that mean for our planet??We have come to rely on chemical pesticides to keep nature at bay. That is practical at first, but it eventually shows its limits and dangers. Microbial resistance and dead soils require ever larger efforts on our part. The goal of reducing synthetic pesticides compels us to work with nature, not against her. That means we can use our resources more efficiently and live healthier lives.

The pandemic disrupted many industries. Were there any ways in which COVID-19 changed your work in research, science and technology for the better??I definitely don’t miss the commute! No seriously, COVID-19 created more time and focus in my life. It allows me to go deeper, understand better and be more creative. COVID-19 has also raised the public profile of science and technology and it is good to see how much science and technology innovators are influencing the global conversation again.?

I share your passion for challenging ideas of what’s possible. You’ve been described as a “trailblazer.” What’s your advice for making your world changing ideas a reality??There are many great ideas for how to improve our world. Pick a good one, think well about it and stick with it. Next, build a team bringing diverse skill sets and ways of thinking to the table. We all have certain preferences for how we use our brain and if we work together, we become a super-brain that can solve any problem.

You’re a mentor to other women in tech. What are the biggest challenges currently facing women in science, research and technology??I hear Imposter Syndrome is one of the most challenging conditions affecting women in science and technology. It’s that negative self-talk that prevents women from stepping up because they may feel looked down upon. Being a high-achiever and perfectionist is part of it and, I might add, being sensitive to how others perceive us is correlated, too. The first strategy is becoming aware of the voice or feeling that holds you back and actively deciding whether you want to listen to it, and why. Often, there is no reason to listen to that voice. Secondly, give yourself permission to fail. Once you take that step despite your fear, you might discover how strong you are and find what you attempted is easier than you expected.

In your mind, what are the business advantages of cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce??The business advantages are well documented. Better decisions are made in an inclusive and diverse team, making the business more successful overall. Inclusion creates a positive energy that every team member enjoys and benefits from. Positive energy generates creativity and if ideas are flowing, the team is unstoppable. Problem-solving becomes fun and solutions appear almost magically. At Terramera, having scientists and engineers working on a project together creates different ways for looking at a problem which is very powerful for creating solutions.

I’d love to hear more about your approach to leadership. What do you think is the most underrated skill for leaders??Selflessness — meaning putting the needs of others and the business above your own. Taking yourself back allows you to see people better, their abilities and difficulties, and helps unlock the full potential of the individuals in your team. It is a known fact that we are able to listen better if we don’t think about our response and focus entirely on what the other person is communicating. People also reciprocate the care they receive which increases team cohesion.

What are two activities or routines essential to your personal well-being that you can’t do without??I do 20 minutes of yoga first thing in the morning and I go for a walk at the end of the day.

What’s the leadership advice you wish you had gotten 10 years ago??There is only time between a new idea and its realization. Ideas are real and show what’s possible. And if we honestly believe in them they become reality because we do all the right things to make them happen.

What’s one way you’ve grown in the last year, either personally or professionally, that you’re proud of??I’ve been more consistent in saying what I believe is true rather than holding back and deferring to others. This way, whatever happens is the best thing that could happen.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Thank you so much, Annett, for sharing your thoughts and experiences on STEM. My take-away: sometimes our thoughts can work against us. It’s important to reexamine our thought patterns to determine what’s holding us back and redefine our definition of what’s possible. Follow Annett’s work?here.

The Root: Dispatches from COP26?

The past week at?#COP26?in Glasgow has been a good experience so far – somewhat overwhelming to meet in person again?– but exciting to be here with our team, surrounded by brilliant minds and big ideas. We’re also seeing a major rallying point.?

Everyone is tired of talking about climate change without real, meaningful action. The conversations happening are candid, direct and are leading to measurable outcomes. Harder lines are being drawn and companies are putting money where their mouths are. One example: we took part in a discussion with a panel of impact investors representing a combined $1.2 trillion dedicated to addressing climate change. It has been heartening to see the commitments on regenerative agriculture, and the increasing level of recognition on the importance of nature-based solutions. It’s refreshing to see investors and corporations take the lead on scalable solutions for the health of the planet. It’s perhaps most encouraging to hear the rhetoric punctuated with a willingness to make mistakes in order to prevent “perfect from being the enemy of good.”

I’m cautiously optimistic. Terramera will stay in Glasgow this week, to drive greater, outcomes-based action on soil health. That means scaling nature-based solutions with clear measurements and metrics, financial commitments and projects that take action now. We’re looking forward to the conversations to come that will yield clear, measurable actions.

Additional Nutrients: What I’m Reading and Listening to

• A new media company featuring “micro-documentaries” tells stories about people working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As an alternative to doom-scrolling,?Pique Action distributes stories about climate solutions?through social media.
• Farmers are scientists with a wealth of knowledge. And regenerative farmers are keeping us fed with healthy food and regenerating our earth so it thrives and provides for generations to come. For National Farmers’ Day, we?recognized just a few of the farmers championing regenerative agriculture.?
• To combat the tech industry’s lack of diversity, companies need to look beyond the talent pipeline and?focus on creating healthier work environments

Thanks again so much to Annett Rozek for sharing her thoughts for this special National STEM Day edition of the newsletter — and thanks to you for reading along. If you found The Core Question interesting, please?subscribe?and follow me on Linkedin ... or, better yet, share it with somebody you know!