Stories and Viewpoints

Discover Viatris

Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we are spotlighting some of the women at Viatris who are in science and STEM roles.

By: Timothy Goodenow

February 9, 2022

Yelitza Rodríguez Team Lead - Quality Control Vega Baja, Puerto Rico

What is your role at Viatris and how do you contribute to our mission of empowering people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life?
I am currently a Team Leader at Viatris for the Finished Product Laboratory in Vega Baja. Our unit performs the final control and validates the quality of the product once the manufacturing process is completed, ensuring its effectiveness.

What was your dream job growing up and what did you study in school?
As a child I played around the house a lot being a teacher. As I grew older, I discovered that mathematics and science were what I was passionate about. A good subject that combines those two areas is Chemistry. That is what I decided to concentrate on.

What are the current opportunities and challenges for women in science? Over the years we have seen how more women joining the workforce in different areas. Today, we know of successful women who have made great contributions to the field of science and inspire us to continue demonstrating what we can achieve. This is impressive as the challenges presented to some women are greater than most people might think. Too many times their work, no matter how difficult and demanding, is just one of the many responsibilities they encounter daily. Many women, including some in my lab are single mothers, and the troubles they go through to manage the responsibility of their children, especially during this pandemic, is something we should continue monitoring and provide all the support they deserve.

How does Viatris support women with careers in science?
As a healthcare company, Viatris offers global opportunities in different areas where women can work, develop professionally and be agents of change. As an example, in my laboratory, roughly two-thirds of the staff are women, and they continue to perform exceptionally.