On the job with… Amelia Tomkins

EMCR Forum interview with Amelia Tomkins
Postdoctoral Scientist and Conjoint Associate Lecturer
@AmeliaTomkins
https://www.hri.org.au/our-research/staff/dr-amelia-tomkins

What is your current occupation or position?

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Heart Research Institute (HRI), based at the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney. I specialise in animal models of stroke and thrombosis. Working within the thrombosis research group, I explore cerebral thrombosis and therapeutic strategies to improve thrombolysis for stroke.

How did you get into stroke and thrombosis research?

For me, this was a real case of serendipity. Unsure of where I wanted to go with my career at the end of my biomedical science degree, I had intended to get casual work to earn money and then travel a bit before committing to honours and a PhD. I had a casual job towards the end of undergrad doing histology work for a research lab at the University of Newcastle. One of the researchers in this group told me of a research assistant position being advertised in the translational stroke group. I applied for the position and I guess you could say the rest is history! I worked as a research assistant and then completed my honours and PhD with the same group, learning and developing animal models of stroke and thrombosis for the testing of novel thrombolytics. This work set me in good stead for the transition into the thrombosis group at HRI after my PhD.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?

Most researchers would say that the biggest challenge of this career path is funding and the instability of the job. As an academically minded person, you grow up being congratulated and awarded for your academic successes. But now you’re in a world of individuals just like you—and you’re competing against the best of the best. It can be challenging to stay positive and enthusiastic when you get rejection after rejection. To counteract this, I always endeavour to celebrate my successes. A successful grant, an accepted paper, an unexpected and exciting experiment result—all need celebrating.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your job?

For me, the thrill of running an experiment and finding something unusual or confirming a hypothesis is the greatest part of this work. We had a catchphrase in my PhD lab, where everything was a ‘world first’—because it really is! The joy is knowing that what you are doing, no one’s done before—you’re answering questions that no one has answered; you’re discovering phenomena that no one has identified before and ultimately you are contributing to improving the understanding of health conditions and the development of improved therapies for patients.

Describe a typical day in your job.

It is very diverse. Some days I will spend all day in the lab. Other days I’ll be at my desk, collating data, reading articles, writing grant or ethics applications or paper drafts. And some days, it’s a combination of both. My weeks also include lab meetings and seminars, and occasionally there are workshops that I attend to increase my skill sets.

Any advice for EMCRs wishing to pursue a career in this area?

I think most of the following could be applied to any career. But if I consider the advice I would give myself, looking back to when I began my research career or the lessons I’ve learnt along the way, these would be the main points:

• Find your passion: I consider myself lucky to have stumbled into a research field that I’ve developed a passion for. But some days my passion wanes as experiments don’t work, results are negative or I get rejection letters for funding. Research, as with any career, comes with its ups and downs. Find your passion and continue to remind yourself of why you do what you do during the difficult times. But also celebrate your successes.
• Ask questions: At seminars, raise your hand and ask a question! At conferences, talk to the researchers at their posters. In lab meetings, get involved in discussions. Asking questions and engaging in scientific discussion will only help to broaden your horizons and your knowledge base to help you think outside the box, which is what science is all about! When it comes to planning your career path, talk to those who have done it before you. Seek out the senior researchers who inspire you. Ask them questions about their career path. Talk to the postdocs recently graduated. Ask them how they found their next position. There is no one typical path for this career, so finding out how others have done it before you will help you determine your own path.
• Know your strengths. Don’t be afraid to admit your weaknesses: By the time you finish your PhD you will have an expert set of skills and knowledge. Remind yourself constantly that you ARE an expert. But conversely, it’s OK to admit that you are not an expert in a particular field or technique. I am an animal surgeon. Ask me to do a western blot and I’ll be scratching my head in confusion. Seek out experts—in your own lab or in other labs—who can assist you to run research projects. Science is all about collaboration. The more people involved in your work, the more well-rounded your research will be. Also, plan to attend workshops and seminars to broaden your knowledge and base understanding of concepts that you don’t understand.
• Put yourself first: Remember that only you have your best interests completely at heart. Seek out supervisors who will support and encourage you. Seek out a research team that you can work well with. Stand your ground when you’re feeling lost in the crowd.
• Enjoy the ride!