What were you doing before coming to Institut Curie?
I was busy with my master degree in China and I participated in developing a software to identify genes related to specific phenotype. The job was finally published in Plant physiology.
Why did you decide to join the PhD program and the institute?
The original motivation was to understand what research life abroad was like. As for why I joined Institut Curie, it was suggested by my former senior brother in China. He went to the Institut Pasteur to study for a doctorate one year before me. I just applied with the attitude of trying it out, and the result was successful, so I came here without thinking too much.
What did it bring you to do this PhD for 3 years at Institut Curie? Professionally and personally
I used to be a student majoring in computer science. My doctoral study has allowed me to accumulate more biological background knowledge, and my programming ability has also been greatly improved. The work during the doctoral period was finally officially published in Molecular Cell, which gives me a great sense of achievement and more job opportunities for scientific research-related jobs.
What are you doing now? Where?
I continue my research about effects of histone variants on replication at Institut Curie.
Why did you choose to stay at Institut Curie?
I need to know all about cancer cells that inhibit the replication process, and my lab now focuses on the effect of histone mutations on replication. I think it will be more helpful for my future research plan.
Did you apply elsewhere?
I also got an offer from NIH (National Institute Health, US).
What are the benefits of doing a Post-doc at Institut Curie compared to other institutes?
I haven't been to other institutes, so I can’t compare them. For me, on the one hand, there are topics I am interested in and good research environment here. In addition, because I am familiar with the people at Institut Curie and their respective research, it is convenient for me to ask them face-to-face about some knowledge blind spots and promote possible cooperation. For example, the ORM technology developed during my PhD still needs to be used in my current work, and I often need to discuss with my former supervisor.
Technologies don't end with papers, they must be used in possible projects, and more new knowledge can be discovered to maximize the value of technologies.
Do you prefer academia or industry? Any experience you want to share?
Each has its pros and cons, and I don't prefer one over the other. If you have a clear topic of interest you want to study, and enjoy the learning process, you will be freer in academia. If you have strong programming or professional skills and want to have a higher income, then the industry is more suitable for you.
What is your dream job or goal in life?
I want to successfully do one thing, after fully understanding the cell's replication mechanism, inhibit the replication of cancer cells. Humans have not effectively conquered cancer so far, I guess because we have always wanted to kill cancer cells and let cancer cells mobilize all energy to resist. Is it possible to prolong the lifespan of cancer patients by inhibiting cancer cell replication and cancer cell coexistence?
Do you have anything to add? Any advice to give to prospective Institut Curie’s PhD students?
If you choose to do scientific research, please have a clear goal first, know what you want to do, and then in order to achieve this goal, what technologies and knowledge need to be learned, which laboratories in the field have such technologies or focus on related research. Before submitting a resume for a new lab, ask yourself if spending a few years in this research will help you in what you ultimately want to do. Don’t apply for a laboratory like Oxford or Yale that is particularly famous but has nothing to do with your original field of interest in order to satisfy your vanity. It is the policy of planning to learn knowledge and learn technology to do what you want to do to guide your job search.
Interview conducted by Priyanka Sismal, July 2022