Summary:
In this exclusive interview, Dr. Aleksandra Maršavelski, a passionate biochemist, shares insights into her motivation, daily work, and the intersection of science and art. From her teenage fascination with hemoglobin to her current research on enzyme activity optimization, Dr. Maršavelski provides a glimpse into the life of a WiRe Fellow at the University of Münster.
Key Concepts:
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Early Inspiration:
- Discovered passion for protein biochemistry at 16 through the Petnica Science Center’s chemistry program.
- Fascination with the dynamic structure of hemoglobin sparked her career choice.
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Daily Work and Research Focus:
- Describes daily work as “Read, imagine, and perform.”
- Focuses on optimizing enzyme activity in her research.
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Essential Traits for a Protein Biochemist:
- Grit mindset, critical thinking, work ethic, positive attitude, collaborative spirit.
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Best Experiences and Lessons:
- Highlights positive experiences from interactions with researchers globally.
- Emphasizes the importance of learning from difficult moments.
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Motivation and Change in Perspective:
- Stopped taking herself too seriously.
- Embraced play, imagination, exploration, and constant change.
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Impact of Research on Society:
- Aims to contribute to sustainable waste reduction and material reuse through optimized enzymes.
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Challenges in Science:
- Expresses disappointment with academic publishing system and inadequate career paths for postdocs.
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Balancing Family and Career:
- Stresses the importance of teamwork and family support.
- Acknowledges the challenge of spending enough time with her son.
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Future Vision:
- Sees herself enjoying life and research, unburdened from hyper-productivity, in 10 years.
https://wire-wwu.de/an-interview-with-biochemist-dr-aleksandra-marsavelski/