What inspired you towards a career in science?
My passion for science developed when I did my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences. At that time, I was developing a diagnostic test for thalassemia, a blood disorder. It was fun learning how to add new reagents into the test to make it better. Soon, I realized I was good at it, I liked the job, and my journey as a scientist began.
What did you study and where?
I did my undergraduate degree in biomedical sciences at the University of Malaya, Malaysia. I then continued with my PhD in the Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya.
What was the topic of the first thesis you wrote?
I was working on thalassemia, a blood disorder. The title of my thesis was “The use of the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) in the detection of rare beta-thalassemia mutations in the Malays and Chinese in Malaysia”.
Why did you choose that topic?
Oh, I was choosing the supervisor! She was really nice to students.
Which role do you have right now and what are you investigating?
I am a virologist, and my favourite viruses are enterovirus A71, chikungunya virus, respiratory syncytial virus and influenza virus. I studied who get these viral infections and how they get these infections. In the laboratory, my team also examined how these viruses attacked human cells. We use different approaches and techniques ranging from virology to biostatistics, molecular biology, histology and bioinformatics to answer these questions.
What are the most enjoyable and the less enjoyable aspects of your daily routine?
The most enjoyable time is planning research activities and budget. The less enjoyable daily routine is non-stop administrative meetings. However, meetings are essential to ensure everyone does their jobs.
What is the most important lesson you have learnt during your career so far?
Keep trying, re-search. I think no one will always win. But we need to stay strong and courageous. Without new challenges, we will not grow.
What was the most challenging moment of your career, and how did you go through it?
Funding and keen postgraduate students are essential for research. I was demotivated when some of my talented students left my lab and did not pursue postgraduates. With that, I learned that we got to keep motivating and encouraging them. Doing science is not easy. I have many hats to wear. As a scientist, teacher and manager at work; and back home as wife and mother. Everything requires 100% of you. I have a very supportive family that helped take care of my daughters. I also have supporting colleagues that helped in my research and teaching.
If you could travel in time, is there a career decision you would like to change and why?
I hope to have the opportunity to work in a Nobel prize winner’s laboratory. I would like to learn and see for myself how a Nobel prize winner made the discovery, how a Nobel prize winner managed the research team.
Do you have any regrets career-wise?
Research is a long and can be a frustrating process. It is not a lucrative career; we are poorly paid. A lot is self-driven - you need to be an inspiring teacher, a world-class scientist with publications, grants and recently patents. Passion for what you are doing is very important. I have many people around me who are very helpful and supportive- my research team, family, colleagues, and friends. If you fall (e.g., rejected publications and grants), get up and walk again. Don't let anyone look down on you for being young, instead prove yourself, and say you can do it.
Who are your role models?
My biggest role model is my mum. She never stopped me from pursuing science. She made me all I am today. My scientist role model is Marie Curie for her ground-breaking work on radioactivity. She faced similar challenges like me: a shortage of funding, inadequate laboratory facilities, managing teaching load and research time and juggling childcare and career. Yet, she won the Nobel prize twice! Her famous quote, “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more so that we may fear less” always remind me to manage my fears and expectations.
Do you have a mentor?
Nope.
Which advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
“Stay hungry, stay foolish” from Steve Jobs. Don’t stay complacent if you want to reach greater heights in life. Don’t think you know a lot, always work with people who are cleverer than you are.
What is your advice for young students who are unsure/undecided about their careers?
It is taking the first step and finishing well. Don’t let others set the standard for you, have your standards. When it is achieved, that is a success. Then move on to things that give you a bit more challenge. So, it is really about courage to take the first step. In the end, it is not necessary about receiving the trophy but doing your best.
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