Postgraduate student in European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Germany
Anne-Marie Glynn - Molecular Biology
What were the main ‘career decision’ milestones in your life so far?
At secondary school I didn’t really have a favourite subject, so I opted to study biotechnology at NUI Galway, as it included business and French in addition to a diverse range of scientific topics.
(Considering that I came to Germany to do my PhD, perhaps it would have been wiser if I selected to study German rather than French at university!)
After my degree I was offered a job in a hospital lab checking patient samples to check if they had cancer or other diseases. However, I realised that I preferred learning in-depth about a topic, so that I and others could really understand what was going on.
During my degree I spent a summer at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and loved the international atmosphere, so I decided to return there to study for a PhD.
Who are the people who most influenced your career direction?
My parents have always been fully supportive of whatever I chose to do. They taught me to believe in my abilities.
However, it was my Leaving Cert biology teacher, Mr Keane, who really encouraged me into science. Throughout university I also got lots of support and guidance from lecturers.
Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with?
Working in science is excellent if you enjoy travelling. Think back to how different people can be if you go abroad on holidays. Now imagine working with people from different cultures, with different hobbies and languages, and them becoming your friends.
In general you can have the opportunity to travel all over the world to explain your work to other scientists. Besides the international atmosphere, I am extremely fortunate to work in an institute where famous scientific speakers come every week to share their ideas.
The working hours are very flexible. Although we have busy days, scientists also know how to have fun. I’m lucky to have good friends to hang out with, whether by the riverside, going for a cycle or watching a film.
Describe a typical day
Every day is different. Generally I need to book the equipment that I want to use in advance so it is important to be organised. I am flexible and never plan too strictly as one thing you can be sure of in science is that things often don’t go exactly according to plan.
I spend about half my time doing computer work and the other half experimental. Once we have results then you try to publish them to let others know what you did – either by preparing a poster, giving a seminar or writing an article for a journal.
What are your main tasks and responsibilities?
I’m working in an area called cryo-electron tomography of vitreous sections – I guess most people won’t have heard of that before.
It’s basically photography in three dimensions – not like a movie but a photograph that you can enter into to explore not just the areas at the front but also deep into the image. You can twist them around and view it from different sides to see things that have never been seen before. Really small things can be seen in this way with 50 000 times magnification.
In addition to my scientific work, I’m involved in a lot of extra activities – organising scientific retreats and conferences and promoting the interests of PhD students within the organisation.
What are the main challenges?
Science is changing rapidly with new ideas and concepts being proposed all the time. Sometimes it is hard to stay on top of it all. However, I’m fortunate that we have world-famous scientists giving us ‘previews’ of their work on a weekly basis and the chance to discuss it afterwards.
What’s cool?
Did I mention that I work with diamonds? Our samples need to be cut into very small pieces and the only substance strong enough to do this is diamond. It’s very sharp, so it’s a little different to the diamond in a ring.
Following this, I use a microscope and a computer to study the sample in 3D and I paint different areas to make it easier for other people to understand the images and their biological context.
What is your education to date?
Leaving Certificate Vocational at Ballinode College, Sligo which gave me a chance to set up a mini-company in addition to the regular Leaving Cert subjects
BSc Biotechnology at NUI Galway (included scientific subjects, a modern language and business)
PhD awarded jointly by the University of Dundee, Scotland and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Germany
What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?
For me, science constantly evolves. The precise details of the courses are not essential but instead it is important to learn how to critically assess information while maintaining an open mind and learn where to find the answers that you need. Naturally, you must understand the basics about the area you’re interested in but you can never say “That’s it – I’m not going to learn anything else new!”
What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?
Getting an award from Dr Garret Fitzgerald due to my final year exam results was a highlight, particularly for my parents. During my PhD I helped develop a new technique that enables us to study scientific problems in a new way. Let’s see what the future holds.
What personal qualities do you have that helps you in your career?
I’m flexible, organised and able to communicate both to other scientists and those working in other fields. I’m also willing to try new ideas and have a calm disposition and immense patience.
What is your dream job?
I would love to lecture to share my enthusiasm for science with students. Ideally I think that science should be understood more by the general public and I would enjoy communicating all the breakthroughs in science.
What advice would you give to someone considering this job?
You need to be inquisitive and to question things – not just believe everything that you are told without really considering all aspects related to it. Patience and perseverance would help, as does a lucky streak. It’s important to believe in yourself and your abilities as occasionally it can be a lonely road.
What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?
A short placement in any laboratory environment would give a taster, or even to ask someone if you can follow them around for a few days. Although sometimes the equipment looks complicated to begin with – it’s rather simple once you’re familiar with it.
