As a new member of ARCS, I joined with the hope of connecting with others who are passionate about supporting scientific research, particularly through philanthropy. I’ve been asked to share my experiences and advice from graduate school, and I hope these reflections provide insight and encouragement to current PhD students, especially in these uncertain times.
The Highs and Lows of a PhD
Like many, the lowest point of my PhD came with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A global crisis disrupted the world, but for me, it struck at a particularly pivotal time. I was in my third year, finally gaining traction with my experiments, generating meaningful data, and feeling like I was hitting my stride. Then, suddenly, the lab shut down. My project was put on hold indefinitely, forcing me to pivot to something entirely new. In hindsight, it worked out, but at the time, it was difficult to see the silver lining, and it was hard to stay motivated.
On the other end of the spectrum, my highest moment came when I finally got a long-anticipated, technically challenging experiment to work. After countless hours troubleshooting, I was able to visualize calcium dynamics in living cells—bringing my hypotheses to life in a way that made everything suddenly click. Before I shared the results with my lab and advisor, for a brief moment, I was the only person in the world who knew this piece of information. That thrill, that private moment of discovery, is something I’ll never forget.
Advice for Current PhD Candidates
My biggest piece of advice is this: find your joy in science and protect it.
It’s easy, now more than ever, to get pulled in different directions, to feel overwhelmed by external pressures, or to be discouraged by challenges in academia. But if you can hold onto the excitement that brought you to science in the first place, that sense of curiosity and discovery can sustain you through the tough times.
I also encourage students to take time to think about the future. Universities are rich with resources, and while you’re there, you have access to opportunities that can help shape your next career step. Whether you’re considering a postdoc, an industry role, or something entirely different, start preparing now. Take that coding class. Collaborate on a computational project. Gain experience in non-technical writing. Small steps taken during your PhD can make a big difference when transitioning to the next stage of your career.
The Future of Research Funding
I have deep concerns about the current landscape of federal research funding and its implications for PhD students and early-career scientists. American science has thrived because of strong federal support, making it a global leader in innovation and discovery. The proposed funding cuts are dramatic and fast-acting, leaving little time for researchers and institutions to adjust.
Now, more than ever, it is critical to advocate for science and for the scientists behind the experiments. This is particularly urgent for those who have historically been underrepresented in STEM, as funding disparities and systemic challenges continue to pose significant barriers.
At the same time, this is an opportunity to reflect on the role of philanthropy in supporting science. While private funding cannot single-handedly replace the loss of federal grants, it can provide stability, particularly for students and early-career researchers. I hope that ARCS, alongside other organizations, will meet this moment by finding new ways to invest in the future of science and the people driving it forward.
Looking Ahead
Leaving the bench was once a terrifying thought, but now, I see it as just another step in my scientific journey. The skills I gained in the lab - problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity - still shape my work today, and I remain deeply committed to supporting scientific research in new ways.
To those still in the trenches of a PhD: your work is important, your discoveries matter, and your future is full of possibilities, whether at the bench or beyond.
