• Question: What is the most exciting thing you have experienced in your time as a scientist?

    Asked by anon-292669 to Steve on 22 Apr 2021.
    • Photo: Steve Briddon

      Steve Briddon answered on 22 Apr 2021:

      Oooohh…good Q! I’m going to find it hard to pick this one. I don’t think it’s actually something I’ve found out – as these things tend to happen gradually (there’s not often a “Eureka!” moment).

      Probably the best feeling was when I passed my PhD. In the UK, to train to be a scientist you often need to do a PhD (this is when you become a “Doctor”). You do a project for around 3-4 years, then write a big book of all your results (a thesis). Then you have to sit and answer Qs on it from some other scientists. When this is done – you’ve (hopefully) passed. Doing a PhD is really hard – so it’s a huge relief when you pass! I remember being very tired but very excited after I’d passed.

      Probably just as good was when the as a supervisor (teacher) when the first of my PhD students got THEIR PhD! I think was nearly as nervous and excited then as I was for my own!

Comments

  • Photo: Ed

    Ed commented on :

    I got to go to India to see how their hospitals work, it was amazing how many people traveled sometimes for days to get seen by a doctor. Often those who had come along way would sleep under the stars as it was warm – the hospital put up big outdoor tents for those who couldn’t pay for a hotel.

  • Photo: Karrie

    Karrie commented on :

    I went to Spain to present a research using a new methodology in a conference. I managed to present the info in a poster which i never did before, and speaking in front of 200 people. That is epic!