Welcome to BrainStuff, a production of I Heart Radio.

Hey Brain Stuff, Lauren Volkobolbaum here.

Education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math, sometimes called STEM,

were once denied to women due to biased beliefs about what women are or should be capable of.

Even as of 2015, only 24% of Americans employed in STEM occupations

were women. It's been relatively difficult for young women, and especially young women

of color, to find science

heroes who look like them in reality or in fiction. And that's why author Madeline

Lengel's 1962 book A Wrinkle in Time and its smart science-loving young hero, Meg Murray,

struck a chord with many scientists to be.

Representation is important.

We spoke with three modern-day Megs, all grown up, to find out how they were inspired by the

character's bravery, ambition, and intelligence to pursue real life scientific success.

First up, Dr Amy Sarin, a successful neuropsychologist. success. She said via email, it was 1984 and almost unheard of to have a female heroine who I could identify with in a book.

I loved the book so much I actually wrote to Madeline Langle, and to my surprise she wrote back.

We became pen pals for a short time when I was in third or fourth grade.

She encouraged me to follow my dreams and her responses really helped encourage me.

Meg was far more than a fictional character to Dr. Serran.

She said, reading the book helped me to identify that I should follow my passion and curiosity.

Today, Dr. Serin devotes her professional life to helping people who struggle with debilitating neurological

disorders like anxiety, PTSD and depression.

We also spoke via email with Dr Amy Baxter, a doctor-turned-inventor.

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