By LONG Yun & ZHONG Jianli

For tourists, Xizang Autonomous Region in western China, home to the highest plateau on Earth, is a dream destination with its rich culture, vast grasslands, peaceful lakes, and spectacular views. Nevertheless, for Dr. Marie-luce Chevalier, a respected Belgian/French geologist, it is a wonderland providing her with "amazing experiences and good memories" along with the substantial scientific value.

Chevalier has been working as a research professor at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Institute of Geology, in Beijing since 2010. She told Science and Technology Daily that she has spent 20 years studying active faults in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. "I went to Tibet(Xizang) six times between 2002 and 2009. Moreover, I saw positive changes, such as road improvement, happening every time [I visited]. I think Tibet is probably much more developed now," she noted.

Conducting research in a place like Xizang can be very demanding and challenging due to the high altitude hence lack of oxygen, as well as harsh weather conditions. For a female scientist, the difficulties Chevalier encountered were numerous.

"I do not mind and I actually enjoy working in the field all day exposed to sun, rain, or snow," she said, adding that, "I do not see any disadvantages as a female researcher working in the field." Chevalier attributes her enthusiasm for both her career and physically demanding fieldwork to the inherent curiosity about the world and its wonders, and the excitement of discovery. However, she confessed that since she became a mother, she cannot, and does not want to, conduct lengthy field research anymore.

Chevalier was the only female in her research team for many years. Now she is happy and proud to have a female student join the expeditions with her.

In recent years, China has stepped up efforts to promote greater visibility for female professionals in the sci-tech community. As a female scientist, Chevalier highlighted that women may well be given priority for talent recruitment and research funding grants, provided they are just as skilled as their male counterparts. "In China, I think females have a better chance actually, and more women researchers are encouraged to apply programs, which is great," she concluded.