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# Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science
- URL: https://cibocom.ghost.io/celebrating-international-day-of-women-and-girls-in-science-2/
- Published: 2022-11-09T01:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T15:07:34.000Z
- Author: Cibocom
- Tags: Cooke Scotland, fish

In honor of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11, we are highlighting some of our hardworking female staff members who incorporate science into their daily tasks and have flourished in their positions at Cooke Aquaculture Scotland. This yearly celebration is a chance to acknowledge the vital contribution of women and girls in the fields of science and technology, and to advocate for unrestricted and equal access to scientific opportunities. Diversity in research broadens the talent pool, introducing new ideas, skills, and creativity. As an employer that values equal opportunities, we are committed to hiring the most suitable candidate for the job, irrespective of their gender. We have a workforce of approximately 380 individuals spread across about 40 salmon farms in Orkney and Shetland, several freshwater hatcheries in Scotland and northern England, and various office locations across the UK. For more information about the career opportunities we provide, please visit our Careers Page. Name: Rhona Robertson Position: Lab Co-ordinator How did you become a Lab Co-ordinator with Cooke Aquaculture Scotland? After earning a degree in Biological Sciences from Glasgow Caledonian University, I spent several years acquiring skills and experience at a contract research company in Stirling. I joined Cooke Aquaculture Scotland in April 2014\. What are some of your regular tasks? On a daily basis, I schedule and conduct Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests in the lab and visit sites to conduct health checks on our freshwater farms. I have also participated in school visits to educate students, and I recently visited Inveraray Primary School, which is near our lab. The class was beginning to study inherited genetics, and the teacher asked if I could assist them with an introduction to DNA. What advice would you give to female students aspiring to pursue a career in a science-related field? Go for it! When did you decide you wanted to be a Lab Co-ordinator and why? Who inspired you? I didn't specifically aim to be a Lab Co-ordinator, but I knew I wanted to do practical work in a lab. I had a passion for biology in school. My former biology teacher, Mrs Maisie, played a significant role in fostering my interest in science and encouraging me to pursue a career in the field. What are the most enjoyable or rewarding aspects of your job? I take pleasure in setting up and validating new assays for use by our health team. I also enjoy visiting the freshwater farms to see the fish and building strong relationships with farm staff and managers. What skills or traits should a Lab Co-ordinator possess? A Lab Co-ordinator should be capable of working independently and collaboratively. Being organized and having good time management skills are crucial in this role. You need to be open to testing and trying different methods and techniques, as well as exploring new innovative technologies. Name: Sarah Cowie Position: Fish Health Assistant How did you become a Fish Health Assistant with Cooke Aquaculture? I began working in aquaculture in 2019 as a site assistant with no prior experience in the field. I applied because I love working outdoors, enjoy being on the sea, and am passionate about animal welfare. As a site assistant, part of my job was to train to be the fish health specialist for the specific site, which included learning about plankton and zooplankton. I found the fish health aspect of my job fascinating and wanted to expand my knowledge in this area, so I joined Cooke Aquaculture Scotland in April 2023 and now cover all of the sites in the Orkney region with my manager. What are some of your regular tasks? I make routine visits to all of our Orkney sea sites to monitor the health and welfare of our stock. I collect fish health samples when necessary, conduct regular water sampling to identify phytoplankton and zooplankton around our sites, and report everything to the Fish Health managers. When did you decide you wanted to be a Fish Health Assistant and why? Who inspired you? Not long after I entered the industry, I realized I wanted to focus on fish health full-time. I found it very intriguing. For me, the welfare of the fish is the most crucial aspect of the job, and I wanted to contribute to ensuring the fish have the best quality of life in a growing and sustainable industry while learning on the job. What are the most enjoyable or rewarding aspects of your job? The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that I contribute to our team's efforts to ensure our fish have the highest quality of life. It's a great feeling to know that what we do is part of one of the most sustainable farming methods. I work with a supportive and knowledgeable team, and I also get to travel to different islands every week, where I sometimes get to see a lot of wildlife while out on the water. What skills or traits should a Fish Health Assistant possess? Effective communication is a crucial