Awkward picture of Ivanka Trump at science centre goes viral, widely mocked on social media

Ivanka Trump has been mocked for dressing up as a scientist. Photo Instagram

A photo of Ivanka Trump "pretending" to be a scientist has gone viral.

The 36-year-old daughter of US President Donald Trump was visiting a job training and science centre in Iowa earlier this week when she was given the chance to carry out some "experiments".

The mum of three donned a lab coat, latex gloves and safety goggles and tested the nicotine contents of "vape juice", when the awkwardly contrived photo was snapped.

The businesswoman, fashion designer, author and reality television personality described the tour as "amazing", Business Insider reports.

"This is so amazing. This is such a cool place to come. It's going to be hard to get rid of us," she said.

The photo was then shared on Ivanka's official social media channels yesterday — and it didn't take long for the jokes to start pouring in.

View this post on Instagram

Talking #WorkforceDevelopment and Infrastructure in Iowa today! @realdonaldtrump’s #Infrastructure initiative includes a robust plan to expand skills-focused learning to prepare the next generation of American workers for 21st century job opportunities. Thank you @kimreynoldsia for your commitment to STEM education and skills training and for all the amazing work that you are doing in the great state of #Iowa! 📸: Rodney White, The Register

A post shared by Ivanka Trump (@ivankatrump) on Mar 19, 2018 at 3:16pm PDT

On Instagram, aricarpioevans posted: "Dad pretends to be president. She pretends to be a scientist", while melissadlando wrote: "Thanks. That was the best laugh I've had all week."

3angelsrreal posted: "She's checking her DNA hoping her mom had an affair" while dmnyc added: "A pretend scientist is the perfect counterpart to a pretend president."

The photo also spawned countless memes.

Ivanka Trump pitches workforce development in Iowa and visits a science and Robotics lab. #sciencing #iknowwhatiamdoing pic.twitter.com/BGkBXJvHSp

— Mary Viglione (@MaryViglione) March 20, 2018

Ok, here’s my meme; I hope everyone looks at it, cause I’d love some opinions. There was so damned much material to choose from. pic.twitter.com/Ko2XSUWI4H

— basic boomer bitch (@veronicamariez2) March 20, 2018

The photo is reminiscent of when US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin's wife Louise Linton became a viral sensation after she was photographed wearing black gloves and holding sheets of money during a tour of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington in 2017.

Linton's menacing pose led to her being compared to a "Bond villain" online and led to countless memes being created at her expense.