FYI kuruman, I am first author on a Nature paper, I was awarded a NSF graduate fellowship, I got my PhD from one of the best departments in the nation for my specialty. I have the ability. It is academic science's loss.

Are other women succeeding in this career? Yes, the ones without children. Men who succeed in this career do not pay a price for having children, in fact, the overwhelming majority of them have families. Reference this article: <link>

But assuming you we're not trying to insult me too much by implying that smarts/ability was the primary reason I'm dropping out of academic science, I am willing to acknowledge their are other factors, including a less than stellar relationship with my PhD adviser. However, the incompatibility of my gender with this career path and the lack of female mentors was the primary factor. Thanks for asking.