Day 132. Nine inspiring ladies

On the 9th day of Christmas, ScienceforLife gave to me:

• Nine inspiring ladies*;
• Perme-8 from milking;
• Seven terrible minutes;
• Six tweeps a-tweeting;
• Five bulk gold rings;
• Four extinct birds;
• A 3D shape;
• Two Venus transits; and
• Planets that resemble a tree.

*Many science-trained Australian women inspired me during 2012. If forced to list 9 of them, I’d start with my Mum (Masters in Ag Science, MBBS and PhD in medical education), then add my botanist aunt Carol, neighbour and nutritionist Jane, friend and previous employer Kristin Alford, Tedx presenter/PhD candidate/podcaster/writer and friend Upulie Divisekera, two outstanding breeders of babysitters in Caroline McMillen and Liz Farmer, and everything-she-touches-is-gold Professor Tanya Monro. As my 9th pick I nominate nutrition scientist Katrine Baghurst, whose funeral I attended today.

[image thanks to puuikibeach on flickr]