At RED Global, we’re proud to spotlight the women driving change and delivering innovation in Life Sciences technology. In this edition, we speak with Katerina Sramkova, an experienced ICT Project Manager whose journey into Life Sciences tech is rooted in resilience, adaptability, and a passion for problem-solving.

From writing her first programme at the age of eight to breaking barriers as one of the few women in her university’s technology faculty in the 1990s, Katerina has carved out an impressive career. After balancing motherhood and a successful return to the tech industry, she now leads complex ICT projects that contribute to advancements in Life Sciences. In this conversation, Katerina shares the pivotal moments, challenges, and lessons learned throughout her career, offering inspiration and practical advice to women looking to break into Life Sciences tech.

1. Tell us about your journey - how did you break into Life Sciences tech, and what’s shaped your path so far?

When I was eight, I wrote my first programme in BASIC, and my interest in new technologies has accompanied me into adulthood. There weren’t many female students studying with me at the Faculty of Information Technologies at the Prague University of Economics in the 1990s. Sometimes it helped to be a woman, but more often, I had to prove myself to men. I remember one day when we were submitting coursework, an application written in the Pascal programming language. I was the only one who wasn’t trusted to have done it myself, and the lecturer asked me to reprogramme one of the modules in front of him. He was then a bit shocked when I did.

2. What’s the most rewarding part of your role as a woman in Life Sciences technology?

Every project I lead that we successfully deliver to our clients makes me happy. Showing that women can succeed in the tech industry is incredibly rewarding. I also like helping other women grow in this male-dominated field.

3. What breakthroughs or trends in Life Sciences tech are you most excited about right now?

I have to admit that Neuralink could be a revolutionary breakthrough in the human-computer interface. In the future, we may even see in-brain devices for storing personal memories or mechanisms for immediate learning, similar to how it was portrayed in The Matrix film, where the main character learnt how to pilot a helicopter in a matter of seconds. These innovations could become reality if we develop a way of interfacing directly with our brains.
 And, of course, the whole AI sector is beyond doubt going to bring exponential changes in ways that we cannot fully understand yet. Life Sciences will be one of the first areas to see that huge impact.

4. How do you keep your finger on the pulse of the latest tech innovations in Life Sciences?

My morning routine includes a coffee and a nice breakfast while scanning news headlines from various RSS sources, social media, and science portals.

5. What pivotal moment or bold decision defined your career in this industry?

I started working full-time at the Computer Centre of the University of Economics in Prague in parallel with my studies there. Resolving practical problems in various technological areas was my daily routine at that job, learning things like network and server administration, computer programming, database design and administration, etc. That later gave me a huge advantage when leading ICT projects. I still believe that understanding what the project teams actually do helps me a lot to this day to lead projects effectively, evaluate risks correctly, resolve issues and their root causes, manage teams, understand their challenges, and set the correct expectations with project stakeholders.

6. What’s the toughest obstacle you’ve faced as a woman in tech, and how did you tackle it?

Definitely returning to the tech industry after five years on maternity leave with two children. In Czechia, we have up to three years of paid maternity leave for each child. You can imagine that during those five years I was out of the ICT industry, things changed rapidly. Catching up on everything I missed was a real challenge. Luckily, I was able to return to the same employer (who had to keep my position for me by law all those years), and later, I managed to progress further in my career with other companies.

7. What support, whether from an employer, mentor, or personal network made the biggest difference in your return?

As I was returning to the same workplace, my co-workers supported me. But my husband made the biggest difference, helping me find a new job and move further with my career.

8. Did you upskill or retrain before returning to work? If so, what resources or courses helped you the most?

I didn’t really think about that at first, as I was returning to the same employer. Later of course I realised that a lot has changed and through a self-study I was able to catch up.

9. How do you navigate high-stakes decisions and pressure in your role?

It is not always easy to manage the high responsibility, workload, stress factors, and the push for performance, but some key steps always help me: stay calm, prioritise, obtain key information and evaluate options, value your time, and delegate if needed and possible.

10 Who’s been your biggest career influence, and how did they shape your journey?

In the 1980s, my mum was programming mainframe computers at a Technology Research Centre in Prague. I think she was among the first tech ladies in Czechia. That brought me into the ICT industry already as a child.

 A second influence on how I think about life and approach challenges was reading about Olga Kotelko. This teacher from Canada started doing sports and training in athletics after retiring from her job at the age of 65. Throughout the rest of her life, she joined many world championships, held over 30 world records in her category, and won over 750 gold medals. Her life motto gives a clear guide to success: “Dreams don't come true by wishing for them, but by working hard on ourselves.”

11. Is there a book, podcast, or event that transformed how you approach your work in Life Sciences?

Of course, there were many. But at the beginning of my career, the most impactful thing for my work as a Project/Programme Manager was being part of the PMI chamber. Learning from other PMs, from their experiences and best practices, is key. PMI PMP wasn’t just about getting “the certificate”, it helped me not only learn but also better understand and organise what I already knew and was doing in my work. It improved how I applied methods and tools in my daily work.

12. How has networking fuelled your growth in this field, and what’s your strategy for making meaningful connections?

Some people collect networking connections almost like a sport. I value connections with friends and colleagues whom I know I can trust, share experiences with, and have a mutual desire to help each other when needed.

13. For women aspiring to work in Life Sciences tech, what skills or experiences would you recommend they focus on to break into the field?

In an industry as male dominated as Technology, be prepared and don’t get frustrated when you need to prove yourself. Be kind but firm and work hard on your knowledge and skills. Choose a company that supports women in leadership or key positions.

14. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice starting out in this industry, what would it be?

Career is important but seek out a company that truly supports work-life balance, not only by stating it but by taking real action.

Katerina’s story is a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination it takes to thrive in Life Sciences technology. Whether it’s overcoming career breaks, navigating male-dominated environments, or staying ahead of technological change, her journey highlights the importance of lifelong learning, adaptability, and building a supportive network.

For women aspiring to enter Life Sciences tech, Katerina’s advice is clear: stay curious, work hard on your skills, and choose companies that genuinely support work-life balance and women in leadership. At RED Global, we share this commitment—helping businesses connect with talented female professionals and empowering more women to succeed in the Life Sciences industry.

If you’re a tech professional exploring your next opportunity in Life Sciences, register with RED Global today. We’re here to support your career journey and connect you with exciting roles where you can make a real impact.

Get in touch! We’d love to hear from you!

Want to learn more about the benefits of diverse teams and why hiring more women in tech drives real results? Read our latest blog here to learn more.