Ngwuluka in Science
A researcher's thots, experiences and resources to promote science
Ten helpful tips for postgraduate students undertaking experiments
0January 11, 2012
by Ndidi
in Postgraduate
1. As much as possible do not discard samples
It is helpful to keep stable samples for references and any eventualities. Sometimes, you may find out in the course of writing, some tests may occur to you to run on the samples. Keeping stable samples can prevent you from preparing them over again unless the test requires fresh samples.
2. Write thesis alongside laboratory work
Leaving thesis till the end of lab work will be overwhelming with so much data to analyze and discuss. However, when you write as you work in the lab, the end becomes easier. You can also use the weekends you are not in the lab to write.
3. Back up your data
Back up your data on external hard drive, memory stick and upload to email or google document as often as possible. It will be a nightmare if your PC crashes and you do not have a backup of your data anywhere. Even external hard drive or memory stick can get missing. So as you save on these drives, also upload to your mail box or google documents. The internet will always be there. Whatever you upload to your mailbox will be there as long as you don’t press the ‘delete’ button.
The five regional fellows of L’Oreal/UNESCO in sub-saharan Africa 2010
1October 20, 2011
As these five ladies are about to complete their PhD programs, it seemed like it was just yesterday that they got the letters notifying them of the LÓreal/UNESCO award. However, even if they thought so, it became clear it’s been a year when 10 new fellows were awarded in June, 2011. (more…)
People in Science: Dr. Anayo Ogbonna
0September 29, 2011
Dr. Anayo Ogbonna obtained a Master in Pharmacy and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He conducted his PhD research under the supervision of Prof Anette Mullertz at the Institute of Pharmaceutics and Analytical Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Denmark from 2008 – 2010. He is a recipient of the prestigious STAR postdoctoral fellowship of Novo Nordisk and is currently a postdoctoral research fellow in Professor Maria Jose Alonso’s laboratory at the Department of Biopharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology of the University of Santiago De Compostela in Spain. His research focus is on the design of novel nanoparticulate delivery systems for biopharmaceuticals, including drugs and nucleic acid based biomolecules and on the understanding of the interaction nanostructured biomaterials with biological surfaces. He has more than 15 publications and presentations in international conferences.
The benefits of mentoring
0September 15, 2011
Mentoring is a practice or a process whereby a younger or inexperienced individual is guided by an older and experienced individual in order for the younger individual (mentee) to make significant advancement in the chosen field or career.
For a mentee to benefit maximally from mentoring, the mentee must play an active role. For mentoring to be successful, certain factors must be present and these include, commitment (both mentor and mentee), mutual satisfaction, active learning, mutual connection, collaboration, defined goals and development.
A postgraduate or academic scientist without a mentor struggles to navigate their career and this can be a slow process full of mistakes and frustrations. However, the presence of a mentor will fast track the career with less mistakes and delays. Life is too short for one to learn everything by personal experience.
Some of the benefits of mentoring are:
How to maximize delays in lab research as a postgraduate student
0July 21, 2011
by Ndidi
in Postgraduate
I set out for PhD program certain I would finish in two years. I know my capacity and I work real hard. So from my end, it was a done deal. However, I started and realized that I was not the sole determinant of the progress of my work. I experienced quite a number of delays right from the stage of writing the proposal. Such delays included delays in feedbacks, supply of materials ordered, equipment breakdown etc. In a number of situations, you are compelled to wait. Sometimes, the delay may be two months to six months or even a year. If such happens, what do you do? I learnt over time to capitalize on delays and indeed it is paying off gradually.
Read articles in your area
Most times we are so engrossed in lab work that we are unaware of what other researchers are doing in our fields of research. No one is a custodian of ideas. This is a saying that I have experienced. So delays offer us opportunity to read and follow recent trends in our fields. The interesting aspect of reading is that you may get ideas for the aspect of your work that has been challenging or ideas for other research projects.
The benefits of a career as an academic scientist: Part II
2September 24, 2010
by Ndidi
in Academic Scientist
An academic scientist could be said to be a lecturer/researcher and the place of employment is the university. The academic scientist is admired and pitied at the same time. Because of the aura surrounding the profession, a number of people who would have loved to be academic scientist admire from a distance thinking that they do not measure up to it. Academic scientists are pitied by some who perceive the profession generates low income. However, while one cannot say it is all rosy, there are benefits that can stimulate young researchers to take the plunge.
Flexible schedule
The job is not a 9-5 job that employees have to stick to. Certainly there are fixed schedules such as times for meetings and lectures but other than that, the academic scientist does not have to stick to a time regimen. One does not have to adhere to coffee breaks and lunch at set times. I can choose to have lunch at noon or after 2pm. Flexible schedule makes it easy for school runs for those with children. One is able to spend time with them before and after school. Of course it goes without saying that the flexibility makes it a good career choice for wives and mothers. Flexible schedule does not mean the academic scientist is lazy. One can work beyond 5pm, weekends and holidays. Being employed makes one responsible and the job promotion requirements leave you no choice but to be productive. (more…)
How to manage the stress of a PhD program
1September 16, 2010
by Ndidi
in Postgraduate
Taking a PhD is a step many desire but only a few take the plunge. Many go through undergraduate programs, some do get to masters’ degree while a fewer number go onto PhD. Even from the few who went onto PhD, some would not finish in record time while some would abandon the program.
Depending on the school, you may spend the first year writing a research proposal. The time frame for writing proposal and research work depends on the student and supervisor. You may be motivated to get proposal ready early enough but your supervisor may be too busy to give you the required attention. So you may find yourself spending the whole year just writing proposal. (more…)
The benefits of a career as an academic scientist: Part 1
1September 11, 2010
by Ndidi
in Academic Scientist
I have worked in different areas of pharmacy which included marketing, hospital and community pharmacy (retail pharmacy shops) before I joined the university. Since then I have no regrets. Now, I am not stating that there are no challenges but I have found academia flexible and fulfilling.
One of the questions my students are quick to ask me is the financial reward. However, I try to encourage them to follow their interests and passions because some of them may make the money outside academia but if their passions are to be part of the scientific discovery team, then they will not be fulfilled. And of course, one would not deny the fact that being an academic scientist means hard work. But then, tell me, which job can one excel in without putting a lot of effort? (more…)
How I chose Science
0August 13, 2010
by Ndidi
in Academic Scientist
“Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.”
– Carl Jung
As a child my initial desire was not science (or so I thought). I wanted to be a lawyer. I spent time watching law and detective movies as well as reading novels by Agatha Christie. However, when I told my father (a lawyer) I wanted to be a lawyer, he gently discouraged me explaining it will make me aggressive.
I decided to go for science subjects in high school and I realized I was doing well. I opted for medicine and took the entry exam into one of the universities in Nigeria. Then it was my mum’s turn! She sat me down to explain that medicine was demanding and knowing me, I would be engrossed such that nothing else would matter. Fortunately for her, my score though good was below the cut-off mark for medicine in the university I applied to. Anyway, to cut the long story short, I landed in pharmacy. Although my parents influenced me, looking back, I believe it was destiny because I realized with time I prefer laboratory to clinic and research is a passion.
So my vision became clearer and I enjoyed my undergraduate days as a pharmacy student making aspirin and paracetamol, syrups, tablets, suppositories, creams and emulsions. Before I graduated, I know I was going to be in academia/research. My friend, Sola said as I shared my childhood dream with him, “Even if you had been in law, it would have still been research oriented”. He was right because I would have gone into forensic law.
So I was destined for science or at least a science related field and though challenging, I have no regrets.
