Women and Girls in Science Day 2025: Celebrating Women in STEM at Odin Vision

This year’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science marks a decade of recognising the invaluable contributions of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) fields. To celebrate, Belen Esteve Cogollos, MLOps Engineer; Salomé Desauty, Software Engineer; and Alkisti Stavropoulou, Research Scientist, share their routes into the industry, as well as highlighting their groundbreaking achievements at Odin Vision, an Olympus company which was part of DigitalHealth.London’s Accelerator programme.

Women play a pivotal role in advancing science and technology, driving breakthroughs that shape the future. Yet, only 26% of the STEM workforce in the UK identify as women, according to STEM Women’s annual whitepaper. Engineering and research are particularly affected, with stark underrepresentation in both industry and education. Worldwide, approximately one third of researchers are women and in the UK, women in engineering and technology accounted for 15.7% of the workforce in 2023 – representing a year-on-year decline of 38,000 women in these roles.  

This lack of representation has a huge impact on young people exploring career paths in STEM. 62% of students and graduates stated in STEM Women’s Whitepaper that gender imbalance within an organisation could impact their decision to accept an offer of employment, as well as their confidence and sense of belonging. 

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science provides a platform for women to share their achievements and milestones, aiming to inspire the next generation and bridge the gender gap across STEM education and careers. 

To mark the occasion, we hear from Belen Esteve Cogollos, MLOps Engineer; Salomé Desauty, Software Engineer; and Alkisti Stavropoulou, Research Scientist at Odin Vision, who are leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to act as a second pair of eyes to support clinicians in the early detection of disease. They are advancing the field of MedTech but also creating impactful solutions that empower doctors to deliver the best patient care and improved outcomes.  

Belen Esteve Cogollos, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) Engineer

Role in MLOps: Can you share a bit about your role as an MLOps Engineer and the critical part it plays in advancing Odin Vision’s AI solutions?

I optimise workflows to ensure reliable, scalable AI deployment. This enables our tools to transition seamlessly from research to client-facing applications with minimal manual effort. The team can also focus on product improvements rather than repetitive tasks.

Challenges and Breakthroughs: What’s a significant challenge you’ve faced as a woman in tech, and how did you overcome it?

Early in my career, being the only woman in the room often meant having my technical credibility questioned. To overcome this, I focused on deepening my expertise and speaking up with confidence, helping me claim my space and earn respect. At Odin, I’ve experienced a truly inclusive and empowering environment where all voices are valued—demonstrating the kind of culture that helps women thrive in tech.

Inspiring the Next Generation: What advice would you give to young people who aspire to work in the intersection of machine learning and operations?

Focus on learning AI and cloud-based technologies. Work on small personal projects to apply your knowledge, which will help you understand the various teams you will collaborate with as an MLOps Engineer.

Salomé Desauty, Software Engineer

Engineering Perspective: What excites you most about your work as a software engineer at Odin Vision, and how do you see your role shaping advancements in Medtech?

At Odin Vision, we are given the opportunity to improve cancer detection efficiency. I am proud to be part of this mission as I can see the positive impact it has on patients and healthcare professionals. My role in MedTech combines technical challenges with the need to understand the medical world and engage directly with healthcare professionals, driving continuous improvement across our digital health solutions.

Achievements: Can you share a project you’re particularly proud of, and how it contributes to Odin Vision’s mission?

I have been working on a new interface that integrates with the digital hub to bring our product inside hospital rooms. Developed in collaboration with Olympus colleagues, the quality of the interface and its robustness reinforce the feeling that we are delivering a truly high-end product. I am proud to be part of the MedTech revolution, seamlessly integrating innovation into existing clinical workflows. I believe these solutions are part of a new area: healthcare will become more affordable but most importantly more reliable, as AI will enable everyone to receive the same quality of care.

Breaking Stereotypes: How do you challenge stereotypes about women in engineering, and what message would you like to share with young people considering a career in software development?

As a software engineer developing primarily in C++, a programming language,  it’s been rare for me to encounter other women in the industry that have chosen to work with low level languages. Whilst it can be discouraging, the challenges have been fascinating. In software development, I would say that tech expertise is what is mostly respected and that women are heard and given the opportunity to own their projects. It is also key to be in a working environment that facilitates growth and collaboration for all employees like Odin! I believe careers in this sector can be a great source of opportunity for women that love figuring out solutions and implementing them.

Alkisti Stavropoulou, Research Scientist

Research Focus: What is the primary focus of your research at Odin Vision, and why is it critical to advancing innovation in MedTech?

My research is currently focused on developing vision models that detect different stages and anatomical landmarks in a standard colonoscopy procedure. These models can be used to automatically and reproducibly determine the quality of the procedure,enabling quality monitoring and improvement initiatives.

Pushing Barriers in Research: What changes have you witnessed in the role and impact of women in research over time? 

As a young researcher, it is encouraging to see the presence and impact of women in research grow over the past few years, particularly in fields as technical as computer vision and medical imaging. Working in a team with other women from diverse research backgrounds has helped me grow significantly both as a person and as a scientist. I hope that environments such as the one we have created at Odin inspire other women and girls to pursue careers in science like I did!

A Commitment to Gender Equality

Odin Vision is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), fostering a workplace that champions opportunity and respect for all. Through its EDI policy and support for initiatives like the Gender Equality Act, Odin ensures every employee has a stepping stone to a successful future.  As a leader in the MedTech industry, Odin Vision continues to break barriers and lead by example.  Addressing the gender gap in STEM requires systemic change, and Odin Vision is dedicated to being part of the solution.