• Question: what made you become a scientist and who did you look up to (like a role model?)

    Asked by lindseymerrygold to Christine, Edd, Jess, Nicolas, Zara on 18 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Zara Gladman

      Zara Gladman answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      I wanted to become a scientist because I was always fascinated by the world around me (especially animals!) and had loads of questions that I wanted answers to! Science helps me answer those questions!

      One of my biggest role models was David Attenborough – I loved watching his wildlife programmes when I was growing up. I also had some great biology teachers and lecturers who always encouraged me.

    • Photo: Edward Codling

      Edward Codling answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      I didn’t plan to be a scientist when I was at school – I just knew I didn’t want a ‘normal’ job and that I wanted to carry on studying and finding out new things. When I was doing my maths degree I found out about the area of research that used maths to solve problems in ecology and I got really excited about that. I did a PhD in this area (using maths to look at animal movement behaviour) and then carried on doing research after that.

      I think the people I most looked up to were those people who helped me when I was doing my PhD and first starting out in science research (fellow students and other scientists in my department at university) – they were my role models rather than anyone famous! I wanted to do the same sort of work as them and they were very generous with their time and help, and this helped me get where I am now. I still collaborate and work together with most of them as well!

    • Photo: Jessica Chu

      Jessica Chu answered on 18 Jun 2011:

      Hi Lindsey,

      I always wanted to know more of what goes on inside our body. When I think about it.. our cells are ‘living’ and seem to know how to respond to different things but at a more simpler level- it is all based on the chemical reactions that goes on – everything is made of molecules so enzyme reactions or the many signalling pathways. To think that these small things are probably the most important because we need it to stay alive makes it quite hard for me to comprehend sometimes.

      Teachers definitley played a part because I remember there was a time when we had quite a few new teachers that didn’t give us any lab work.. just textbook stuff!! I never payed attention in those lessons until we got our old teachers back and they were lots of fun!!!
      I look up to all the other guys that I work with too – can learn something from everyone.. even if it’s bad things that they do.. I will know not to repeat it 😛

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