We continue our interviews with Damian, our new group leader of the wet lab sub group Acellular genomics. I hope he will forgive me the title, he is lovely nonetheless 😉
Who is your favourite scientist and why?
If I would have to give a single name it would probably be Fred Sanger. Not “just” because he won two Nobel prices for his work, but rather because he did it with his own hands. He stayed in the lab until his retirement and did not shy away from the hard, tedious and (sometimes) emotionally draining part of the job. (And yes… to be fair: The MRC made it possible for him to stay an active scientist)
How would you describe the perfect job?
Easy: My current job with endless funding.
Would it be the same if money is not an issue?
I hate to say this, but: money is always an issue.
What was the most naive thing you thought about science?
That people would appreciate your efforts (LOL)
On what topic could you give a 30-minute presentation without any preparation?
“Things that did not work this week/month/year”
What is your favourite way to spend a day off?
Anything with my kids will do
What should never be missing from your fridge?
Food!
Is your glass half full or half empty?
Always half full! Yet I will still complain like a grumpy old man…
How old would you like to become?
My standard answer used to be: “100 years or at least until the first person lands on Mars.” But I’m reevaluating.
When was the last time you climbed on a tree?
When I helped to harvest cherries as a kid. Now the tree is gone. How metaphorical is that?
What are you currently learning?
To give people the benefit of the doubt
What do you think everyone should try at least once?
To approach/explore limits of any kind
If you could create a new invention, what would it be?
Time travel machine!
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
