SoapboxScience

Ms Simone Girdham (@S11886040 ), Royal Cornwall Hospitals, will be taking part in Soapbox Science Plymouth with the talk:“How to be a daring, sharing and caring scientist”

SS: How did you get to your current position?

I got to my current position in a non-linear way, from Australia via Scotland and Ireland. I have a portfolio career – that is I consider myself to be a scientist by trade, but at present my main role is staff engagement in the NHS. I also work with my professional regulator HCPC, I am building up my work with STEMM at schools, I support other scientists in my hospital and I also work ad hoc on science projects (my interests are sepsis, antimicrobial resistance and point of care diagnostic tests).

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

As a child I was always asking why? I remember seeing a program on brain surgery which I found fascinating. As a young adult, I was inspired by my step-mother who gained her PhD in science whilst pregnant and also my aunty who completed her PhD in botany at the age of 60.

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

My current work is with staff engagement/quality improvement and it is the collective power of people to change something – with my scientific approach I can help people because I approach things differently.

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

I believe strongly in supporting kids to get into science. When I was a child I did not know that there were so many different kinds of jobs in science – plus you don’t always have to go to Uni. I like that Soapbox Science is trying to address this.

SS: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day

Connections (or empowerment). I think that if I am able to inspire just one child to go home with an idea that they too could work in STEMM than I would have achieved something.

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

The hidden barriers to leadership in the NHS (in particular). We, as healthcare scientists, are not very good at getting invited to the table where important matters are discussed.

Dr Júlia Baptista  (@JuliaGenetics), Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and University of Exeter, will be taking part in Soapbox Science Plymouth on 1st June with the talk: “DNA and how it defines who we are”

SS: How did you get to your current position?

I am a healthcare scientist and working for the NHS was always one of my goals. After many years working in academia, in research projects, I made the big leap when the opportunity presented itself. I wanted to use my scientific knowledge to help patients and to make a change and the NHS has always felt like the best place in the world to attempt this.

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

I have always been fascinated about people and how a small baby develops into a full grown adult, so it was this curiosity that led me to pursue a career in healthcare science. Along my career path, I was lucky enough to meet amazing men and women that inspired me immensely, in particular my teachers and friends, Dr John Crolla and Prof Pat Jacobs, one of the founder mothers of medical cytogenetics. These amazing people encouraged and inspired me to follow my dreams and establish a career in science.

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

I spend my days looking at DNA data to see if I can find the change that explains why somebody got a specific disease. When I scroll through that page and my eye meets the culprit letter there is a good feeling of job done. “Gotcha” I say!

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

I love the idea of being out in the open air talking to people about my favourite subjects: DNA and genetics! When a friend mentioned Soapbox to me a couple of years ago, I instantly loved the idea and successfully applied. That was such an amazing and fulfilling experience that I decided to apply again this time in Plymouth and am looking forward to what will certainly be a great event.

SS: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day

Epic!

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

I think I would like to see the inequalities disappear, not only for girls, but for everyone who still experiences obstacles and difficulties getting into science. Really good talent will be lost if we don’t address these issues soon enough

Dr Camille Carroll, University of  Plymouth, is taking part in Soapbox Science Plymouth on 1st June with the talk: “What is a clinical research?“ 

SS: How did you get to your current position?

Hard work, determination, lots of support from a mentor, and from my long-suffering husband and children who probably struggle to remember what I look like.

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

A book I read when I was 12. It got me interested in psychology and that progressed to an interest in neuroscience.

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

The realisation that what we do now will shape the lives of those in the future. If we are really lucky, we might get to see that happen within our lifetime.

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

Clinical research is vital to healthcare advance. Without it there would be no progress. Research depends on people being willing to participate, not just in the studies but in all aspects of research delivery – from conceptualising the problem, to desiging the stufy, to disseminating the findings.

SS: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day

Fun

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

More resource. I spend a disproportionate amount of time scrabbling together funds to try and support my team. If I could concentrate on the research, I could be so much more productive!

Louisa deDross (@luludedro), Plymouth Marine Laboratory is taking part in Soapbox Science Plymouth on 1st June with the talk: “Green, Infected and Secreting: Are Algae The Future of Natural Beauty?”

SS: How did you get to your current position?

I wanted to do a PhD since I was at university: I always loved applying science and got on really well with research topics during my degree. I have worked hard since university, working in human trial research and even at a laboratory in a mine. I think when I applied for my PhD the panel in  my interview could see that I really wanted to work hard and had a real passion for the subject (although I have never worked with algae before!) and that’s how I managed to get where I am!

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

I used the have the BEST science teachers. No question was silly, no idea too weird. I was encouraged and supported as a kid to make mistakes and work hard to find out the answers. I don’t think I will ever forget the opportunities I was given in school to grow and learn

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

I love how novel the concept of using algae is in this way – in many ways it is hard for me because no one is doing this, I have very few experts I can call on and ask for help (but luckily my supervisors and fellow PhD students are AWESOME, and so so smart!) but it is exciting as using EHux could lead to a much better and possibly lucrative way of producing these useful chemicals…which hopefully means I will have amazing skin and be rich after my PhD

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

I think although things are very different to when I was young (science appeared male-dominated even 10-15 years ago) it is important to have strong female role-models in science. I also don’t think people realise the potential of algae…everyone just thinks of it as green pond slime. I gotta get out there and enlighten some people!

SS: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day

Lets have…fun and talk science 🙂

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

I think real scientists need to make sure they make their science accessible for all people – many fears people have about “scientists” and research is because there are misconceptions or there is a lack of communication. Outreach is so important for informing and inspiring others to get involved with science and to encourage the public to be better informed and critical

Mrs Anna Tatkiewicz, University of Plymouth, is taking part in Soapbox Science Plymouth on 1st June with the talk:“Thick, tasty and yummy – how science improves yogurt“

SS: How did you get to your current position?

A colleague of mine has sent me a copy of the offer, so I’ve applied and got selected

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

Not entirely sure, probably other colleagues that are scientists themselves

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

My supervisor, Dr Victor Kuri encouraged me to participate in it

SS: Sum up your expectations for the day

Networking with other scientists and audience

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

I guess the most important is around grant and funding criteria, as sometimes very good project could be rejected due to the way it’s been written, so more flexibility around it would be great

Ms. Catherine Jordan (@jorrrdy), Marine Institute / NUIG is taking part in Soapbox Science Galway on 29th June with the talk: “Monitoring our Oceans from Space!”

SS: How did you get to your current position?

My name is Catherine Jordan. I am currently doing my PhD with the Marine Institute and NUIG Ireland researching Ocean Colour and looking into how to observe phytoplankton blooms from space using satellites. Satellites are very useful tools for monitoring the ocean as they can cover vast areas in a short space of time.

I started out by studying a degree in Earth and Ocean sciences in NUIG and after graduating I was incredibly lucky to get a job in the National Aquarium of Ireland in Galway as the Senior Aquarist where I spent a few years doing a range of work from breeding jellyfish and seahorses to educating people from a young age to adults in the aquarium and schools about our native marine life. I decided then to return to university to study a masters in Marine Biology in University College Cork as I was sure I found my passion. Again, after I graduated I was again very lucky to get not only a job in my field but in Ireland and it was as a scientific officer for the aquaculture and shellfisheries team with the Loughs Agency in Derry. My job was great, I spent a lot of time on boats, in the lab and working in an office so I learned a whole range of skills, my job focused on doing stock assessments of the native oyster fishery, one of the last remaining productive native oyster fisheries in Europe and also collecting biological data for an ecosystem model which is used to determine how much life Lough Foyle could sustain. Taking all the skills I learned between working and studying I am now working in a completely new area of science using satellites to monitor phytoplankton blooms from space! It is an incredible area of science and I am very lucky to have been given this position to research novel technologies for Ireland.

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

I always had an interest in the natural world from a very young age. I grew up beside the Atlantic Ocean in North Mayo, Ireland and I was very lucky as my parents had a boat from when I was very young so I spent a lot of time surrounded by water and fascinated by the ocean from my early childhood. During our summer holidays, my brother and I spent most of our time exploring rockpools or while we were on holidays we would always be brought to aquariums around the world and when I was 10 I decided I wanted to be a marine biologist. During secondary school years this career choice swayed when I started to focus on career choices people told me I would be good at (and now I know I wouldn’t have enjoyed) but luckily I found my passion again thanks to my parents who always encouraged myself and my brother to go after what we loved. Therefore, my family have been my main inspiration from a very young age to go for a career in science.

Ireland, June 27th 2018 during the heatwave

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

That you can monitor the ocean from Space! This area of science is very new to me as I am only in my second year of my PhD so I find everything I am learning fascinating.

Overall one of the main goals of my PhD is to identify phytoplankton blooms from space using satellite technology.

Marine phytoplankton are extremely important in the ocean as they form the foundation of the food web for most marine life, play an important role in biogeochemical cycles and generate most of the oxygen we breath on the planet; all phytoplankton photosynthesize, meaning they consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

When conditions are right, phytoplankton populations can grow explosively, and form a ‘bloom’ and sometimes these are visible from space. In most cases phytoplankton blooms are of great benefit to the overall ecosystem as it is a source of food for wild fisheries and aquaculture from the smallest organisms in the ocean to the largest marine mammals in the ocean. However, some algal blooms can have a negative impact on their surrounding environments. A small proportion of phytoplankton species produce toxins and when these blooms, they are known as harmful algae blooms (HABs). HABs can result in serious economic loss to tourism, aquaculture and fisheries and in turn result in major health impacts. In order to mitigate the effects of these blooms, early detection methods are always being explored. Satellites can provide early wide-scale warning of these algae blooms.

Remote sensing techniques have become powerful tools to monitor and identify a range of parameters in the ocean and on land over vast distances.

Satellite ocean colour sensors measure the sunlight scattered back to the satellite from seawater. Sunlight interacts with the ocean in different ways, depending on what particles it interacts with, and most phytoplankton tend to reflect back a green colour but this can vary with species.

In order to be confident in the data supplied by the satellite’s sensors, in-situ measurements are required for validation therefore a lot of my PhD with be validating satellite measurements. I will be doing this by measuring optical properties of light by using different instruments and methods such as; Hyperspectral Radiometers which measure sea surface reflectance, the underwater light field, measuring phytoplankton particulate absorption data and testing whether we can identify the species responsible for the blooms from space by testing algorithms developed for use in Irish waters.

An example of Hyperspectral Radiometers measuring sea surface reflectance and a reflectance graph showing colour the ocean is reflecting back helping us identify what particles are in the ocean

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

I am very passionate about my field of science and also passionate about showing children and the general public how a woman can work on research vessels and spend weeks at sea. I think it is vital to engage the public in learning about marine science in interactive ways to help understand very complex matters they may be hearing about in the news. I think Soapbox science is an excellent idea for promoting women in science, engaging the public in discussing topics they may not have encountered before and hopefully leaving a lasting impression on someone to consider their actions with the environment and the ocean based on what they learned and as always I always hope to inspire young children and show young girls there are no limitations to what field they are interested in as I wanted to be a marine biologist from the age of 10!

SS: Sum up in one word your expectations for the event.

Inspiration!

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

I have always had positive experiences in my areas of work and study so far. I work on boats a lot (between fishing and research boats) and I have always felt equal, I have been lucky with the teams I have worked and the one I am currently working with and all these have all been very inclusive. Although, I am very aware a lot of women in more senior positions in different areas of science are given less opportunities due to gender and family status therefore this is a culture I would definitely change and hope for a more inclusive future, regardless of your personal life.

SS: What would be your top recommendation to a woman studying for a PhD and considering pursuing a career in science?

Work hard at what you do. Take pride in your work. If your life allows it, take the chances and opportunities that could take you anywhere. Surround yourself with positive people who are passionate about their field and who encourage you to also be passionate about yours. Believe in yourself and trust the process- something I have to tell myself quite often.

Devasanthini Devaraj (@DevaSanthini), University College Dublin will be taking part in Soapbox Science Galway on 29th June with the talk: “Natural Gas – The cleaner fossil fuel into the future”

I am a PhD student in UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering. I have a multi-disciplinary background. After completing my bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, I worked as a Programmer/Analyst for Infosys Limited in India. While I was working there, I participated in several outreach activities where I taught Science and English to primary school children.  I had persistent interest to study more. I quit my job to pursue master’s in UK in Process Systems Engineering where I studied design, operation and simulations for systems at industrial level.

My journey to Dublin

I had always aspired to do a PhD. After completing my master’s degree, I applied for a few PhD positions. I am glad that I got accepted for this specific programme because the work involved is closely related to the research that I carried out on shale gases for my master’s thesis. The place of work being in Dublin is a bonus to my innate desire to travel.

My inspiration for a career in science

I grew up in a society where people are conservative, and women were expected to live a template life. An independent woman would be criticized, but I did not want to be chained to the expectations of society. My inspiration for a career would be from women who worked towards breaking the stereotype. I would like to specifically mention my high school headmistress, Miss Vimala who inspired me to dream big. A career in science for me was a gradual and careful selection process based on my interest and ability to perform in academics.

My research

We use different forms of energy like gas, oil, electricity in our daily lives. Producing these forms of energy in industries is causing ‘Climate Change’ which is a threat to the environment. Sustainable development goals are developed by UN with an aim to improve the lives and livelihoods of future generation by providing access to clean energy, food and water while protecting the biodiversity and ecosystem. Several nations are making efforts to address this situation by producing clean energy from wind, solar and water. Producing clean energy is a long-term process which requires huge investment. At the same time, millions of euros had already been invested in building the infrastructure which is currently existing to supply gas, oil to homes and industries. Switching to producing clean energy can make the existing infrastructure obsolete. My research is to identify the balance between these two challenges.

Natural gas is a relatively cleaner and cheaper form of energy which does not require new investment for its production and distribution. Moving towards using gas instead of coal or oil as much as possible will support reduction of carbon dioxide emission in near future. I am also working on identifying ways of using the gas infrastructure for other purposes like storing and supplying other types of gases.

Why I do what I do?

An interesting aspect of the research is scope of the work and case studies are being performed for countries with various demands and capacities. It requires learning new concepts and keeping myself updated on a daily basis which is an interesting challenge. I also learnt that it is essential to develop solutions that benefit the consumers, because their role is important to implement solutions that could potentially mitigate climate change.

Engagement in Soapbox Science

Being a part of AthenaSWAN UCD, I learnt the difficulties in making reforms regarding empowerment, equality and inclusion. I decided to participate in events like Soapbox Science for few reasons. To interact with women scientists to understand the challenges encountered by them in their career and the challenges involved in promoting women in STEMM. I hope to get an understanding of their goals and implementation strategies. I am also interested in talking with young minds to enforce positivity to pursue a career in science or parents of young people to encourage their children to pursue a career in science. Finally, successful delivery of the sustainable development goals require participation from governments, private sector and most importantly civil societies and citizens. I am interested to discuss the gaps and uncertainties in our knowledge of global environmental risks and how to enable societies to become resource-efficient, sustainable and healthy.

What would I like to change about the scientific culture?

Publications and impact factors being used as a metric to assess the success of a researcher is pressurising. This competition to work more to be ahead of peers might affect the balance of Science-Life.

My recommendation to a woman considering pursuing a career in science

Research could be a challenging environment and it is associated with uncertainty in terms of outputs, funding and job security. It is also common to feel overwhelmed or at an impasse or even fall prey to the “imposter syndrome”. Take a step back from those situations, allow your brain to calm down, remind yourself of your past successes which will eventually enable you to devise better solutions. Perseverance is the key. If you are passionate about what you are doing, you could fuel yourself to keep going and achieve your goal.

Dr Maggie Lieu (@space_mog), The European Space Agency, is taking part in Soapbox Science Brighton on 1st June with the talk: “Why dark matter matters”

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place – and what are you most looking forward to/excited about in taking part? 

ML: Science + beach? What could be more attractive? I’m most excited about the sea. I have to say, I‘ve given a lot of talks before but usually it’s in a dark dingy room and not on a beach.

SS: Tell us about your career pathway

ML: I did an integrated masters in Astronomy Space Science and astrophysics at the University of Kent with a year at the University of Los Angeles, straight out of school. I wanted to be an astronaut and I still do, but I got distracted on the way by this mysterious thing called dark matter which led me to doing a PhD in Astrophysics to study dark matter in cluster of galaxies. I currently work at the European Space Agency continuing on with that research – best of both worlds I’d say J

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science? 

ML: I have always had an interest in science. It’s always been my favourite subject in school and I think my teachers had a huge role in that. I loved the experiments we did in class, it didn’t feel like work at all, it just felt fun… and as a researcher it still does! I think having a good or bad teacher in any subject can make or break your career path.

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

ML: The most fascinating part of my work is that no one in the world is working on exactly the same thing I am. I am the expert in my field and what I’m doing is completely unique but could change our understanding of the Universe as we know it.

SS: Research in STEM is increasingly multi-disciplinary. Which subjects do you use in your work?

ML: This is definitely true. I use a lot of physics and maths in my work, but often I write papers and proposals so English. I also use a lot of coding but unfortunately computer science was not a subject I had the option of doing school. I live and work in Madrid, so Spanish was useful for me. You’ll find that many scientists move all over the world and travel for work quite often so knowing lots of languages is useful.

SS: What 3 attributes do you consider important to your work (e.g. creativity, team-work, etc), and why did you pick these?

ML: Enthusiasm – Like every job, research has highs and lows. We need to make the most of the best parts.

Problem solving – many of the problems we work on have never been solved before so this helps a lot!

Determination – if it doesn’t work first time, keep trying. You’ll get it in the end even if it takes some time.

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

ML: I wish it was easier for people to stay in academia if they want to. Many people who are great researchers find that they need to leave because contracts are short, salary is low, and there is huge pressure to publish (even if its bad science).

SS: What would be your top recommendation to a female student considering pursuing a career in academia?

ML: I had imposter syndrome. Everyone I know had imposter syndrome. It’s worse being a woman in a male dominated field, but just know that it’s just a phase and eventually you will grow out of it.

SS: What words of encouragement would you give to children who might be interested in a career in science?

ML: Welcome to the world of science, here you will develop many transferable skills that even if you change your mind later on you will still be set for life.

Dr Vicky Boult (@vlboult), University of Reading, is taking part in Soapbox Science Reading on 8th June 2019 talking about: “An elephant’s appetite”.

Q: Vicky, how did you get to your current position?

I have always been fascinated by wildlife. It led me to study Zoology as an undergrad at the University of Southampton. I learnt a lot during this time, but the one thing that bought me to where I am today was studying the feeding behaviour of elephants in South Africa. It instilled in me a desire for research, for uncovering new knowledge and for using this knowledge to create a better world. I therefore chose to keep studying, this time a masters degree in Wildlife Management and Conservation at the University of Reading. Again, I learnt a lot and became even more inspired. And just as I was worrying about what to do next, I saw a PhD studying elephants advertised (also at Reading). I jumped at the opportunity and got offered the position. Never was the learning curve so steep, but I pushed through and came out the other side as a well-equipped scientist! I’m currently a post-doc in Meteorology at Reading, using many of the skills I learnt during my PhD to support agricultural and humanitarian decision-making in Africa. I hope at some point in the future to pull together my passion for wildlife and my new-found understanding of meteorology. Watch this space…

Q: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

My inspiration comes from three exceptional ladies. Firstly, from my Mum, who is a chocolate sensory scientist! She is incredibly brilliant at what she does and has always just got on with it. I’m very proud to be her daughter and to have inherited her drive. Second, is my friend and mentor, Heike Zitzer. She welcomed me wholeheartedly into her world of elephants back in 2013 and opened my eyes to just how incredible these animals are. With Heike I found my passion. And finally, and maybe you’ll laugh, from a very special matriarch of a 50-strong elephant family, Antares. Antares taught me that women can be kind and caring and also strong and brave. This lady is a great leader and in her I found who I hope to be.

Q: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

I love studying animals as individuals. Each elephant I have come to know has their own personality, their own likes and dislikes, and their own friendships. For instance, Shayisa is the dominant male but is a total gentleman. Lucky is relaxed, Khumbula is curious, Ntini is a good mentor and Kohlewe has short-man syndrome! By considering animals as individuals, we can follow them throughout their lives and understand so much more about what makes them, them. It’s fascinating to get to know these animals as individuals, and I feel very privileged to have done so.

Q: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

I am a passionate conservationist and am determined to secure coexistence between people and wildlife. Throughout my career I have worked actively to identify threats facing biodiversity and to propose practical solutions. Yet increasingly I recognise that successful conservation must first consider people. That’s why I believe that communication is a fundamental tool in a conservationist’s toolkit. Through communication we can raise awareness of the threats facing our planet, we can discuss solutions which balance the needs of people and wildlife, and we can inspire the change that is so urgently needed in the world. Soapbox Science will give me a platform upon which I will not only share my knowledge about all-things-elephant, but also my passion in the hope that people will learn and love a little bit about elephants.

Q: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day

Sharing – I hope to share my excitement about all-things-elephant, and I hope others will share with me their own experiences and perspectives.

Q: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

I had a great network of peers throughout my PhD, and the team mentality – going through the same challenges together (and coming out the other side!) – was invaluable. I would love to see this team spirit extend throughout science, replacing the competitiveness which is commonplace. It’s tricky, what with competition for jobs and funding, but we all face the same challenges working in science and many of us are in it for the same reasons. I think tackling it as a team and being supportive of our peers would greatly improve the working atmosphere, and probably the productivity, of science!

Q: What would be your top recommendation to a woman studying for a PhD and considering pursuing a career in academia?

It’s easy to get bogged-down by the seemingly endless bad experiences of women in science. But, there are more opportunities than ever for women in science. Soapbox Science is a great example, giving female scientists a platform on which to share their hard-earn experience. My advice is to focus on the possibilities and your potential rather than the challenges. If you have the passion, the drive and determination for science, you can do it. You are a scientist. Believe it, and so will others.

Sofia Gripenberg is a Royal Society Research Fellow at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Reading. Her work investigates the interactions between plants and their insect enemies. Her current main project assesses the role of insects attacking seeds and seedlings in maintaining and structuring the extraordinary diversity of plant species in tropical forests. She will be taking part in Soapbox Science Reading on 8th June with the talk: “What would a forest without insects look like?”

Q: Sofia Gripenberg, how did you get to your current position?

After my undergraduate and MSc studies at the University of Helsinki I was trained as a teacher in Biology and Geography. I then went on to do a PhD on the interactions between oak trees and leaf-mining moths. Since obtaining my PhD degree I have worked in the UK, Panama, and Finland on a range of topics related to the ecology of insects and plants. Getting to my current position has required some stamina and hard work, but for the most part it has been a very enjoyable journey.

Q: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

As an undergraduate student I became interested in ecology as an academic discipline. My choice for field-based ecology was partly triggered by my love for nature and the outdoors. Becoming a research scientist was not an immediately obvious career choice: the uncertain job prospects made me hesitate on a few occasions. I have been very lucky to have encouraging supervisors and colleagues who have helped me see the potential of my work.

Q: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

As a scientist working on tropical insects I routinely encounter species that I have never seen before. Seeing all these weird but wonderful life forms and trying to work out how they fit into the larger rainforest food web is very satisfying. I also enjoy the many interactions I have with students and other scientists through joint research projects.

Q: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

As a scientist it is easy to get absorbed by your work and the specific projects you currently work on. I see Soapbox Science as a great opportunity to get out of the research bubble and tell other people about what we do, and why we think it matters.

Q: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day

Exciting.

Q: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

Although I think that the importance of having a healthy work-life balance has become more emphasised in the scientific community in recent years, there is certainly scope for further improvements. Science should be an option also for people who do not want to, or for various reasons cannot, put in excessively long hours of work.

Q: What would be your top recommendation to a woman studying for a PhD and considering pursuing a career in academia?

My recommendation for women – or indeed anyone – studying for a PhD would be to try to make the most of training and networking opportunities offered and not to get locked into a too specific research trajectory very early on in your career. It is also worth remembering that the skills you acquire as a PhD student or postdoctoral researcher are transferable – your efforts will not be wasted even if you were at a later stage to decide that academia was not for you.