As I write this blog, I remember starting my Master’s degree under the supervision of Dr. Bernard Brais and telling him I would never do a PhD. After two years as a research assistant, I decided to pursue a PhD and here I am today… My journey as a researcher started in January 2018 when my son was 10 months old. I knew the first 2-3 years would be very hard, juggling many new responsibilities such as setting up the lab, hiring staff and students, etc. I also had to deal with the reality of trying to meet grant submission deadlines while my little one had a fever, gastro or who knows what else. January 2020 marked the second anniversary of my lab. I’m proud of what I have accomplished during these first two years; I was able to develop a network of collaborators within and outside my institution, secure funding from several sources, grow my team considerably, and submit the first paper from my lab. If I took a snapshot of my lab at this moment, it’s pretty close to what I had envisioned. But, as I was slowly getting more comfortable in my new role as an independent researcher, COVID-19 happened…

Although it was an emotional and stressful situation, it was also an opportunity to learn. The first weeks were very difficult; I needed to adapt to the reality of managing a lab and my team remotely and at the same time entertain a 3-year-old who was used to having a very busy day at daycare.  I had the feeling that I was just not getting anything done for the lab and at the same time not spending enough time with my son. The pandemic was also adding stress for the students who were anxious to have virtual classes and wondering about the impact of the lab shutdown on their projects. Even for the bioinformatic projects of the lab, although they can be done remotely, the absence of contact with peers resulted in lack of motivation. I needed to accept that at a personal level, I wouldn’t be able to achieve everything I wanted to and realized that my entire team was affected by the shutdown in different ways. We quickly set up a virtual environment (thanks to my students) so the team could meet and discuss their projects, results, or just life. I made sure to check on them, listen to their anxiety, and find solutions to help them cope with the situation. What could have usually been settled in a 5-minute hall conversation now requires a planned Zoom call. Being organized and adaptable has been key to making the best of this situation. After 6 months of almost entirely remote work, I think my team is doing great and we are building momentum again.

Since I started my lab and especially during this pandemic, I have always felt supported by my colleagues. I have the privilege to be around successful researchers. I’m also extremely proud to be in a research institute where female scientists account for an important part of the research community, where I can find amazing role models and mentors. If I have a message for graduate students it would be: It is OK if you don’t know what you want to do after your undergrad or graduate studies; not everyone’s path is a straight line. To the early career scientists, set up goals you want to achieve but make sure to be adaptable; you never know what may come. Also, find good mentors who you can look up to.