Many people think you are either born being good in math and science or you aren’t but this week’s Wednesday’s Woman in STEM shares how these topics didn’t come naturally for her. Angela Jacan talks about her struggles and insecurities and how she worked hard to succeed in her classes, earning her PhD and working in a rewarding STEM career.
When did you first become interested in STEM?
This was already in elementary school, I think I was around 11 years old. I liked the science classes up until then as well, but our teacher couldn’t make it to class that day, so a substitute teacher did the class. The way the teacher taught us about the anatomy of the eye (I totally remember that it was about the eye!) fascinated me! This is when the “click” happened, and I got interested more and more into natural sciences.
Where did you go to school and what did you study?
Up until my masters degree I went to school and studied in Croatia, Europe. I studied Food Technology for my bachelor degree, and then did my master’s in the field of Food Safety Management, both at the University of Zagreb. I then wanted to have my own project, so I left the country and moved to Austria, where I did my PhD in Molecular Medicine. I remember Biochemistry and Mathematics being the most difficult subjects during my studies, they were used to select who is willing to pursue with the study. Looking back, investing so much in those two topics has helped me keep that knowledge for longer, and be able to connect things logically easily. So even though at that time it didn’t feel easy, the commitment to learn those two topics only confirmed I really want to stay in science.
In my PhD studies, I remember one time where I was the only one who didn’t have any pre-knowledge in the field of immunology. The professor communicated very clearly that it will be very difficult for me to pass this exam. I felt embarrassed, insecure and anxious. However, I pulled myself up again, learned and passed the exam. This was the turning point where I committed to always motivating, encouraging, empowering people and not pulling them down by underestimating them.
What is your current career/profession and how do you use your interests in STEM on a day-to-day basis?
I’m currently working in a biomarker discovery company as Head of Human Ressources and a Project Lead. In our company, we are trying to find molecules in the body which help detect a disease earlier, improve treatment or personalize the diagnostic process. In the project I’m leading, we are using different laboratory methods to combine the data we have acquired and have one big data set, with which we hope to detect overlays or patterns better than when looking at each method individually. This is a step into Data Science, something I have not encountered before in my career, and my role is to mitigate the communication between the natural scientist and clinicians to that of the data scientist. The more diverse the scientific groups are when working in a project, the outcome is more complex but also more robust. Getting everyone to communicate in a way that also other disciplines can understand whilst maintaining the big picture oneself can be quite challenging.
What do you like most about your current job? What do you find most challenging?
The idea of helping people with the work I do for their better health is what is keeping me going. And by that I mean both the scientific research and the role I play as Head of HR. I listen to people, try to help where I can and thereby maintaining their mental health as well. Helping them to help others is my main goal.
The most challenging part of my job is managing the expectations of research. Research is not a fast track forward to the result. We encounter unexpected deviations all along the way. And whilst this is fascinating because it shows us how much we still don´t know about how things work in nature, it can be difficult to keep motivated when you want to help patients fast, but you can´t.
What advice would you give to young girls who are interested in pursuing STEM activities or careers?
If you find yourself fascinated by nature, catch yourself always wondering how things work, how things are built, where things have come from, then this is an amazing gift of curiosity. Keep that gift growing by finding the field that is most intriguing for you. Reach out for help and support where you need to, and surround yourself with like-minded friends.
Once I settled in my work, I made it my life mission to support women in science. I am setting up a network in our current area, but also want to help with my story worldwide. As a girl and a woman, you often get confronted with stereotype ideas, discrimination and similar. My mission is to help change this worldwide picture, one conversation at a time.