The Cintecx at the University of Vigo is launching the initiative 'Científicas en Viñetas: Heroínas da Enxeñaría e da Tecnoloxía' (Scientists in Comics: Heroines of Engineering and Technology), funded by the 2026 gender awareness grants. The project aims to introduce society to female role models in engineering and technology through graphic stories.
The comic revives the careers of women who broke barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields, making them protagonists and STEM role models. This initiative continues the center's work in highlighting women in science and technology, now adopting the illustrated comic format as a tool for outreach.
The protagonists are three engineers from different eras: Norah Magero, a Kenyan mechanical engineer specializing in renewable energy and creator of the portable cooling solution VacciBox; Beatrice Hicks, a 20th-century American engineering pioneer and co-founder of the Society of Women Engineers; and Elisa Leonida Zamfirescu, one of Europe's first female engineers with an extensive research career.
The official presentation of the comic will take place on November 6 during Cintecx's Open Science Day, to be held at O Tinglado do Porto in Vigo. The event, open to the public from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, will also feature scientific activities and demonstrations.
The comic will be available digitally on the Cintecx website, in the Equality section. Physical copies can also be requested via email at cintecx@uvigo.gal.
