Meet Denise Cibu - WIN’s Young Scientist Committee Co-Chair

Denise Cibu, Co-chair of WIN's Young Scientist Committee (within the Science Committee)

Throughout the month we feature the extraordinary members and volunteers that make up the very foundation of WIN. Today we are shining the light on Denise Cibu, Co-chair of WIN’s Young Scientist Committee (within the Science Committee). 

“Since I met Denise 4 years ago, I am impressed by her motivation and positivity, as well as her grit and commitment to giving 200% for what she believes in. Her ability to find creative and innovative ways to achieve her goals has been very inspiring,” said WIN Board Member, Julia Wiebe PhD, Managing Director red otc- a Finzelberg company. “Over the last four years, witnessing her growth has been a wonderful experience for me and I am curious to see what she will do next, of course hoping that she will keep supporting WIN and stay in the nutraceutical industry- as she is exactly the type of talent companies need to succeed,” added Julia.

We sat down with Denise to learn more about what drives her passion to pursue a career in science including her challenges and triumphs.

Q: When and why did you decide to pursue a career in science?

I decided to pursue a career in science early on, when I was in the 9th grade. That's when I discovered my fascination with chemistry and the scientific world. I was intrigued by how chemical reactions could transform materials and how science could explain the most complex phenomena in the world. From that point on, I knew I wanted to dedicate myself to exploring and contributing to this field.

Q: What challenges have you faced being a woman in a male-dominated field and how did you overcome those?

Indeed: There were times when my capabilities were underestimated, which pushed me to work twice as hard to prove my worth and gain respect in the field. However, the first time I attempted to pursue my PhD, I made a very tough decision: after a year, I decided to stop. I left Germany and moved to the Canary Islands in Spain, where I began again from scratch. I analyzed the chemistry market there and became enamored with a company called Nektium, where Julia was working at the time.

My goal was to start at Nektium, but I wanted to improve my Spanish skills for a potential interview. Meanwhile, I worked in a completely different field—customer service in the hospitality industry—where I not only improved my Spanish but also discovered a new talent and passion: working with people. My soft skills grew tremendously during this time.

For over three years, I repeatedly sent my job application to Nektium and even called them, but I was rejected each time. So, I decided to take a more direct approach. I went there in person to present myself—in Spanish! I had seen on LinkedIn that Julia was the right person to talk to, so I asked the lady at the entrance if I could speak with her. We had a lovely conversation, and I managed to convince her to leave my CV on Julia's desk. That's when my story changed: Julia called me, and we discussed my options. It became clear to me that I wanted to pursue my PhD again, but this time in the industry. I love challenging myself and growing, and I realized that only a PhD would give me the chance to do so.

With this new goal, I developed a strategy to find a professor who would support me and a suitable company that wanted to work with me. That’s how I connected with Bayer in Germany. Making the decision to leave my life and boyfriend in Spain was tough, but my boyfriend, Victor, decided to come with me—he even sold his restaurant and bar.

During my second attempt at a PhD, I knew exactly what I wanted, what I didn’t want, and how to avoid the pitfalls that had made me stop the first time. My PhD journey involved persistence, resilience, and a strong belief in my abilities. I had to continually advocate for myself, assert my ideas, and demonstrate my competence to earn my place. (My team at Bayer was, and is, priceless - very great environment!).

I am endlessly grateful for what I have achieved and for the support from my beloved friends and family. I feel stronger than ever, and, by the way—I am now engaged. A happy ending in every way.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years in your career?

In 5-10 years, I see myself as a leader who continues to learn and grow, passing on my passion and motivation to my team to create great things, find answers to complex questions, and tackle challenges head-on. I'm open to the opportunities that come my way, and I know that with my determination, I can achieve anything I set my mind to. And, of course, I see myself happily married to the love of my life, enjoying both personal and professional fulfillment.

Q: Why did you join WIN?

Ever since I met Julia, my life has changed in incredible ways. Her support and motivation have been instrumental in my growth. When we talked about WIN and how it empowers women in STEM, I realized how essential it is to have someone with experience who can see the big picture and offer valuable advice. WIN was the perfect choice for me—brilliant, strong women supporting each other.

Naturally, I joined the science committee, and after some time, I became the co-chair of the Young Scientist Committee. My mission is to support, motivate and inspire the next generation of scientists. Shaping your future is a process that starts early, and having the right people around you is crucial to that journey.

Q: What do you hope for the future of women in science?

I truly hope that women will continue to grow stronger in the field of science and be heard and seen as equals to their male counterparts. This goes beyond just positions and income—women bring unique perspectives and motivations to research, which are highly valuable and beneficial for the industry and for everyday life. It's essential to strive for diversity in all its forms in order to achieve the best outcomes.

Get Involved with WIN!

At Women In Nutraceuticals we are so passionate about increaseing the number of women in science and research that it is in fact, part of our Mission. Learn more about WIN and the Young Scientist Committee HERE.

Click HERE to become a member and help us achieve economic and social equality in the global nutraceutical industry! #WINtogether