Undertaking a PhD in Physiology, UCD
Karen Griffin, studying physiology
What were the main ‘career decision’ milestones in your life so far?
During secondary school I always knew that I wanted to study science in university. I began a general science degree in UCD in 2001 and branched into pharmacology in second year.
It was the subject that I was always interested in. I continued this subject to my honours degree in 2006.
There have been many milestones during my third-level education that encouraged me to further my education to PhD level. One in particular was representing UCD at the London International Youth Science Forum. This fantastic opportunity allowed me not only to come into contact with world renowned scientists, but to visit other colleges and centres of research.
During this trip my interest in research was sparked, and I knew that I wanted to pursue a PhD after my degree.
Who are the people who most influenced your career direction?
My parents and friends have always been and are still very supportive of my science education.
I was heavily influenced as an undergraduate student by my lecturers – the passion and love that each of them showed for their subjects was inspiring and I couldn’t help but get caught up in their passion.
My PhD supervisor has a huge influence on my career direction at the moment. It is wonderful to watch a person you closely work with still get excited and fervent about research.
Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with?
My lifestyle at the moment is somewhere between a student and in full time employment. As a PhD student, I receive a small wage (from a funding agent). All the skills that I am developing (presentations, experimental design, time management) are preparing me for full-time employment and I am very happy doing what I am doing.
Describe a typical day
As a PhD student, part of my time is spent in the lab and part on reading. When I am running experiments, I have to be very organised and time efficient.
At times my job can be very pressurised, meeting deadlines and collecting data.
The work that I am carrying out is quite exciting as it is both original and new, so it carries many challenges.
It can be very frustrating when experiments don’t work, but overcoming these problems is the most rewarding and satisfying part of my job.
What are the main challenges?
Keeping up to date with new research and techniques. I also found when I started in my position that it could have been quite overwhelming, I was studying a new area and was using techniques that I was unfamiliar with, however I enjoy the constant challenge.
What’s cool?
There are so many areas of my job that I find cool. Two in particular that come straight to mind would be the techniques that I am using fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
I enjoy working on this part of my project and when I talk about my work to people who are connected directly to the science industry and even those who aren’t, it never fails to fascinate.
The second thing that I think is cool is that my work is original and new and knowing some day my project could make a difference to people’s lives gives me such a buzz, that I really look forward to getting into the lab every morning!
What is your education to date?
Secondary school – Leaving Cert, inc chemistry and biology
Degree level – Biology, chemistry, biochemistry (minor), pharmacology (major). The subject of pharmacology strongly influenced my career path.
PhD level – physiology
What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?
I believe that every subject that I have studied to date has been crucial to my current job. As an undergraduate, I was exposed to many different aspects of science, and this education and understanding has been so important.
What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?
As an undergraduate student, completing my fourth-year project. This was one of the most important and challenging part of my studies. I was faced with learning new techniques and developing my thinking as a scientist.
What personal qualities do you have that helps you in your career?
I feel that I am highly organised, determined and motivated. I think that these qualities are essential in a PhD.
One of the most important qualities that a scientist has to possess is the drive to ask “why” and to be passionate to find the answer.
What is your dream job?
I would love to work as a lab team leader in a top pharmaceutical company.
What advice would you give to someone considering this job?
Having a keen interest in science and research is essential to doing a PhD. My advice to anyone considering a PhD is to understand what it involves, long hours, unsuccessful experiments and some disappointment.
I think that if you know all this and can still be excited by being in a lab and working through all these challenges, then a PhD is a path for you.
What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?
Patience, time management and determination.
What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?
During third-level education, there are many opportunities that provide an insight into the world of research. All science labs allow people to understand what working in a lab is like. It develops good lab skills and record keeping.
The most important opportunity that a third-level student is offered is the chance to carry out a fourth-year project. This usually entails carrying out a small study in a chosen area. The student must learn new techniques, carry out research and write a dissertation.
I feel that it was during the time of my fourth-year project that I really started to understand about research. I loved spending time in the lab, being faced with challenges and overcoming them. I knew a PhD was for me.
