Chapter 1: Discovering the Foundations of My Journey

Throughout my childhood, I was fortunate to encounter a variety of treasures that, at the time, I may not have fully appreciated. Looking back now, I recognize these experiences as invaluable gifts.

The first of these gifts was the spirit of exploration. Growing up in Cornwall, at the southwestern edge of England, I was surrounded by a stunning landscape ripe for adventure. I vividly recall cycling through the remnants of old mining areas, where I would stop at deep shafts, held together by rusty metal bars with large gaps. I would drop the heaviest rock I could find into the abyss and time how long it took to hit the bottom. These moments were not just playful; they were a hands-on way to grasp Newton’s law of universal gravitation, all while providing endless entertainment.

My outdoor endeavors were numerous, but my indoor explorations were equally significant.

In the late 1990s, the tech boom was transforming the world. While I was unaware of the speculative markets surrounding the dot-com bubble, I was captivated by the emergence of home computers and basic Internet access. One memorable Christmas, I received a Lego MindStorms set, which ignited my imagination. I spent countless hours building robots, creating electrical circuits, and programming the RCX, Lego's proprietary microcontroller, using a fun drag-and-drop software interface.

These projects consumed my time and attention, providing a sense of nostalgia that remains with me today.

These formative experiences in my youth sparked my passion for pursuing a career in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Honestly, I would have been content in any STEM discipline, but my focus gravitated toward Science.

In November 2014, I embarked on my Ph.D. journey at The National University of Ireland Galway. It is common to have many stakeholders involved in a Ph.D. project—supervisors, collaborators, and peers—who all play crucial roles in the project's success. However, it’s essential to remember that ultimately, it is your project. No one else will complete it for you or motivate you to keep moving forward each day.

Throughout life, enthusiasm fluctuates, and during a Ph.D., these peaks and valleys can feel more pronounced, with the highest highs seeming endless and the lowest lows making it hard to see a way out.

Starting with a sense of progress can be beneficial; this way, when setbacks occur, you can recall that the situation won't remain dire forever. I strongly encourage finding your footing in the initial year of your Ph.D. (which typically spans about five years). Explore your research area and discover what resonates with you. If you stumble upon a compelling idea that you are passionate about, seize it and nurture it, provided there’s evidence to support its potential.

I believe that staying true to yourself, being genuinely interested in your research, and taking ownership of its direction will lead to a fulfilling experience. One of my projects focused on Prostate Cancer, aiming to explore whether patient blood samples could detect the disease before it reached a critical stage. This extensive transatlantic project involved many esteemed scientists. The photo below showcases one aspect of this endeavor, where I independently conceived an idea to fully automate a complex and time-consuming experiment.

The notion of automation emerged from my own inspiration, surprising some of the project's stakeholders. My enthusiasm for this direction fueled my commitment, and ultimately, this research became one of my most successful publications. I firmly believe that my determination and authentic interest contributed to its success. You can find the paper published here.

It’s important to recognize that many elements of this project were influenced by my childhood experiences—like dropping rocks down mine shafts and tinkering with robots.

Always keep in mind that you will complete your research project. You will move on to other exciting opportunities in your career. Embrace the unique experiences offered by a doctoral program; this is a fleeting moment in time that won’t last forever.

Chapter 2: Insights from My Ph.D. Journey

In the video titled "Rome wasn't built in a day. If it were, We would've hired their contractor," the discussion centers on the importance of patience and perseverance in the face of challenges, drawing a parallel with the journey of pursuing a Ph.D.

The second video, "Even Rome Wasn't Built in a Day," reinforces the message that significant achievements require time and effort, much like the process of earning a doctorate.