My research involves understanding why animals behave in their natural environment, and how that relates to the brain and to cognition. Over the past two years, I've been applying my skills in these fields to ecotoxicology. Essentially, my research is allowing policy makers at the Government to decide which chemicals should remain on the market and which chemicals should be removed from the market.

The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award means – means so, so much to me. In an ideal world, we would have as much diversity as possible just because people from different backgrounds can bring in different ideas, can bring in different skills, and we can all learn from each other.

A role model for me would be Rachel Carson, who wrote the book Silent Spring. She was a very strong woman, a very hard-working woman, who published a lot, who also worked with Government.

If there's one thing I could say to young girls and – and women, it would be to not give up. Be persistent, and don't let bad days, don't let bad periods in your life pull you down. Don't lose sight of that goal, and don't give up.