Don't be afraid of change. It's important to find the part that fulfills us.

What does your work at Janoštiak Lab entail and what exactly do you personally contribute to?

I am here for my PhD, which naturally involves certain school-related responsibilities, but those are now minimal. Most of my time is spent in the laboratory, where we focus on solid tumor research, tumors in solid tissues. Our research group works on various topics in this field. Specifically, my research focuses on so-called quiescent or dormant cancer cells. These cells do not proliferate in this state, but under certain conditions, they can start proliferating again, which in practice means that the tumor can reappear after some time. We are trying to understand how this process works. In short, this is the main focus of my research. Our daily work mainly involves conducting experiments. It's very diverse work – every day is a bit different, which is what makes this job so interesting.

Does this involve any paperwork as well?

Partially yes, but most of this work is taken over by the lab leader, so the main part of our day is spent in the laboratory, primarily conducting experiments.

How would you describe a typical workday?

Our day mainly depends on whether we have a meeting scheduled. At the moment, we usually have about two a week, and if they take place, we typically start the day with them. Afterward, we focus on cell cultures – these are our first steps in the lab. We check their condition and take care of their maintenance. We then move on to various other experiments, which usually take up the rest of our working day. If we have free time, we also read various scientific papers or do additional work related to school.

How did you end up at BIOCEV?

As I mentioned, I am pursuing a PhD, so I actively looked for a PhD position. My current supervisor offered this position online, specifically on the Charles University website. This is one way to find a suitable position.

 

Would you say this is accessible to anyone doing a PhD in a similar field?

Of course, one needs a master's degree in the relevant or a related field – it doesn't necessarily have to be molecular biology. For example, a biochemistry graduate could definitely find a place in our laboratory.

Did you have any childhood dreams related to what you wanted to do? Did you always want to work in science?

Not since childhood, no. I always liked chemistry and biology, but I didn't exactly know in which direction I would go. These subjects simply interested me, and it wasn't until university that I decided to focus on molecular biology. From an interest in natural sciences, I gradually moved toward a scientific career, specifically in molecular biology.

Did anyone guide you toward science, maybe a teacher? A good teacher can really influence you.

Definitely in high school. We had a fantastic chemistry teacher who really supported us, and there was also a chemistry club where we had a lot of freedom. I used to go there after school, and we could come up with our own experiments, which the teachers would approve of if they were safe – it was really great. This is when chemistry really started to fascinate me, and I also prepared for the high school student national competition in chemistry, which motivated me to deepen my knowledge beyond the school curriculum. Biology at that time was more about learning a lot of information, but I was still fascinated by it, and it naturally led me to an interest in molecular biology.

Are there any experiments that particularly stuck with you?

In the chemistry club, we often did well-known popular science experiments that are often shown at open days at high schools, such as elephant toothpaste or bouncing balls. It was great because we mainly “played” and at the same time learned how different chemical reactions work in practice.

What would you say you enjoy most about your work?

The most interesting part of this work is the fact that we are discovering new things, at least trying to. I am fascinated by the fact that in the lab, we constantly have the opportunity to move forward and look for answers to questions that no one has solved yet. Even though it sometimes takes time and we don’t always get immediate results, the process of discovering and learning is absolutely fascinating.

Is there something you would change about your work, something you don't particularly enjoy?

The most difficult part is definitely data processing, because I am the type of person who really enjoys the experimental work, but then the processing part isn't as interesting to me. I suppose others may feel similarly. However, it is of course an essential part of the process, and without it, the results would be meaningless.

 

Did you ever have a specific moment when you thought, "Yes, this is what I want to do, this is my calling"?

At the beginning of my bachelor’s studies, I started in a different field, one that wasn’t directly focused on molecular biology; I was leaning more toward chemistry. However, in the first semester, we had a course on cell and molecular biology, and it completely fascinated me. In high school, we didn’t really deal with these topics much, there wasn’t enough time for them – perhaps we discussed them a little towards the end. But in that semester, cell biology grabbed my attention, and I decided to change fields to focus on these topics and explore them in more depth.

Do you see yourself doing this for the rest of your life? Do you have another field that interests you?

Biology is a really broad field, and that's what is great about it – you don’t have to do the same thing all the time, and the topics constantly evolve. I have worked on a bachelor’s and master's thesis, and now I’m working on my PhD, and each time I focused on something different. The methods I use also change. I think this diversity is what makes this job so fascinating – you can do it for a lifetime and still work on new and different things. It’s never repetitive, it’s always something new.

So, did you study high school and university in Slovakia?

I studied high school in Slovakia, and university in the Czech Republic.

Did you go abroad for your studies?

I didn’t do Erasmus, but I took a year off between my master’s and PhD, during which I worked in Austria. However, I would like to plan an Erasmus exchange during my PhD studies because I think it would be a great opportunity to broaden my experience and explore different scientific approaches.

Do you have a dream destination?

I think that in Europe, there are many places with very well-developed science, so I don’t have a specific dream destination. In this case, one is more focused on individual laboratories and the research topic itself rather than the country. Of course, traveling is interesting and brings new experiences, but ultimately, the decision is made based on the scientific focus and the opportunity to collaborate with specific teams.

Would you say that working in Austria developed you in any way other than, for example, language, compared to working in the Czech Republic or Slovakia?

Definitely, the working conditions were different, especially because it was during the Covid-19 pandemic. I worked on covid testing, including processing samples and tests in the lab. The working conditions in Austria were different from those in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, so I had the opportunity to experience how things work elsewhere.

Now for some more personal questions: What do you like to do in your free time? What helps you relax after a tough day?

Outside the lab, although I have to admit there isn’t much time for it, I enjoy going for walks and engaging in cultural activities. Working with cells is almost a daily task, and maintaining cultures is really demanding, but I always try to find time to relax. The city where I live is amazing, so when I have free time, I like to plan an interesting program – festivals, theaters, and so on. This cultural activity provides a great balance to my work life.

How important is relaxation after work for you?

Very important. As I said, our workday is very demanding, and it’s necessary to rest and have an activity through which I can relax. Especially when you don’t leave work with a completely clear head.

Do you have a hobby or an activity that you would have chosen as a career instead of science?

Probably journalism, that was a childhood dream of mine. I always thought it would be fun, but once I entered the “real” world, my priorities shifted a bit. It was one of the career options I considered. I was heavily involved in literary competitions in elementary and high school, and we were quite successful. We even founded a school magazine and a class magazine, where I was the editor-in-chief, which I really enjoyed.

What advice would you give to people or students who would like to follow a similar path as you?

Definitely don’t be afraid of change. If you feel like you would rather do something else, don’t hesitate to change your original plan. It’s important to find that part that truly fulfills you, because that internal motivation is what drives us forward and gives meaning to our work. Sometimes the path changes, but if it truly excites you, it’s worth it.

Author: Barbora Kozlerová, student of the Nový PORG Gymnasium and intern of the Open Science project of the Czech Academy of Sciences at the BIOCEV Centre