What Traveling as a Scientist Mother Really Feels Like

It hits in the smallest moments—usually somewhere between security and the gate.

I traveled A LOT this past month.
🌺 San Juan to lead a leadership retreat for faculty from minority serving institutions.
👩‍⚕️ VCU to keynote a Women in Medicine, Science, and Dentistry summit.
🏔️🍁 Calgary to chair a pediatric TBI biomarkers symposium, facilitate a faculty development workshop, and hike some mountains!

I’m so grateful—for work that matters, for opportunities I’ve worked hard for, and for quiet, clean hotel rooms with no sticky fingers or butts to wipe. 🫠

✨𝘈𝘯𝘥.✨

Every time I hear a child’s voice in the airport, I feel it.
Every time I see a mom kneeling down to zip up a tiny backpack.
Every time I pass a toy store or a row of stuffed animals I know my daughters would carefully name one by one.

I miss them.

Not in a way that makes me question whether I should be here.
But in a way that reminds me just how much I love both parts of my life.

That’s the reality for so many Scientist Mothers.

I’m not confused.
I’m not conflicted in the way some people assume.

I’m clear.

I care deeply about my work.
𝘈𝘯𝘥 I care deeply about my children.

𝘈𝘯𝘥 it reminds me who I’m doing this for.
𝘈𝘯𝘥 what I want them to learn about the impact their mum (and they) can have in the world.

I can love deeply.
𝘈𝘯𝘥 I can lead boldly.

I don’t have to choose one version of myself to honor the other.

Both can be true.