Published online 30 July 2008
Postdoc journal
'Force'-full wisdom
Amanda Goh
Amanda Goh is a postdoctoral fellow in cell biology under the Agency of Science, Technology and Research in Singapore.
New animal model, new challenges
"Do. Or do not. There is no 'try'." That's the advice Yoda gave Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back. This quote from the diminutive Jedi master sustains me as I head into an area beyond the expertise of my lab.
In addition to my ongoing work, I am now responsible for an unrelated mouse project. A postdoc friend initiated these studies, but due to various delays, he had to leave before the mice arrived. So I have inherited these animals — and the accompanying mountain of incomplete paperwork. The challenge is amplified by the fact that I've never worked with mice before; nor has anyone else in my lab.
I am immensely grateful for help from friendly mouse-geneticist neighbours, who have generously shared their expertise and time. I am excited to learn new skills, especially as biological research increasingly demands in vivo experiments as proof of physiological relevance. However, I am apprehensive about how this new project will turn out and how it will fit into my long-term career plan. Past experience with Drosophila and zebrafish projects has taught me that the knowledge and skills that I acquire are meaningless if no publication results from my work. So as I tackle yet another new model organism, I recall Yoda's words and fervently hope that the Force will be with me.
Postdoc Journal Keepers 2008
-
Jon YearsleyJon Yearsley is a senior postdoc in evolutionary genetics at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.
-
Zachary LippmanZachary Lippman is a postdoctoral fellow at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's faculty of agriculture.
-
Amanda GohAmanda Goh is a postdoctoral fellow in cell biology under the Agency of Science, Technology and Research in Singapore.
-
Aliza le RouxAliza le Roux is a postdoctoral fellow in animal behaviour at the University of Michigan.
