Dr Rebecca Corrigan first became enthralled by science at school and specialised in microbiology from the mid-point of her undergraduate studies. After a very successful summer placement, which produced 2 papers, she was certain that a career in scientific research was for her. She ended her PhD with a further 4 1st author papers that helped her secure a postdoc position but, as a naturally shy person, she had to push herself to speak at conferences and international events. She went on to produce more high impact publications during her postdoc and was able to focus on her enjoyment of bench science, including a funded trip to the US to learn a new technique to bring back to the lab. After one failed attempt, she consulted her supervisor for invaluable help and advice on applying for fellowships, which led to her securing her current 5-year role.
This interview will allow you to think about:
How short international research visits could be an alternative to research experiences abroad
Why early conversations with your PI are important for stepping into the next stage for your research independence
Can you build the confidence for early discussions about authorship as a Postdoc taking steps towards your fellowship
Explore Rebecca's timeline with important milestones in her research life: https://academicstories.group.shef.ac.uk/rebecca-corrigan/
Hear more about Rebecca: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/biosciences/people/academic-staff/rebecca-corrigan#tab02
Rebecca Corrigan:
So my name's Rebecca Corrigan and I'm a sir Henry Dale research fellow working on microbiology, asked at the university of Sheffield. So when I was at school, I had an interest in biology, but I wasn't quite sure what aspect, what facet of biology I wanted to pursue. So I decided to do a general science degree. And this was at Trinity college. Um, and this was a four year degree. So at the end of our second year, we got to specialize and I chose to study microbiology. And I was quite lucky that in the summer, between my third and my fourth years, um, I had a lecturer who got me a placement at a lab at, uh, New York university. And this was quite a fruitful summer, um, in this lab as I got my name on to, um, And it was this experience. I think that led me to want to pursue a career in science. And so when I came back and I finished my degree, um, I decided that I then wanted to carry on and do a bit. So all in all, I think I had quite a successful PhD. Um, at the end of it, I had four first, all the papers and two of those occurred while I was still doing the PhD. And I think having those two papers really helped, um, not only giving me confidence to do my Viber, but also in helping me secure my next, um, postdoc position, but also. Uh, one of the things that I really got from my PhD was, uh, the ability to go to conferences and to actually present my work. And I'd actually say that I'm quite a shy person and, uh, it doesn't come easy to stand up and talk in front of people. So when I got the opportunity to go to a conference and to present my work orally in front of, um, other academics in the field, I pushed myself to do this. Um, it's something that I think was really advantageous to me. Making myself do that. So all of these things, um, helped me, um, in my career, it's helped my CV. Once I finished my PhD, I realized that I loved doing bench science and I wanted to carry on doing that. Um, I wasn't quite sure what direction. I wanted my career to take Bush. I decided to, to go on and do a post-doc. Um, so I applied for, um, was successful in getting a post-doc at Imperial college in London, where I remained for six and a half years. So my postdoc was six and a half years long. And in my mind it was divided up into two, three ish year segments the first three years. Um, I mainly focused on. I'm doing what I enjoy doing, which was doing bench science. Um, I didn't spend a lot of time teaching or getting actively involved in public engagement, which I know a lot of people did. My main hobby horse, I guess, was doing bench science and doing the research that I loved doing as well as that. I got to go to a number of conferences, a number of international conferences. And I got to present us a number of these, which was great for kind of, for my CV and for getting my face out there, honestly, at the time, that's not what I was thinking about, but it was something I knew I had to actively engage in. Um, so at the end of those three years, the hard work and the research paid off in that I got my first, um, high-impact publication. Which was great and that, but following on from that research, my supervisor, um, realized that there was a new high throughput technique that was being developed at the university of Maryland. And she thought it will be a very good idea if I applied for funding to go and spend three months at the university of Maryland, um, learning this technique so I could bring it back. Um, and use it for my research. And initially I was of two minds about this. I'm going to the states for three months, sounded like a great adventure, but it also meant leaving behind my family for three months and, uh, leaving behind my partner, having to find somewhere to live and, um, seemed a little. But I discussed it with my partner and he was very supportive and we decided it would be a very good thing to do for my career. So I applied for an embryo short-term fellowship and I was awarded this, which gave me money to live and work in the states for three months. So I went over and it actually turned out to be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. Um, even aside from the science, I made a lot of good friends and, uh, met a lot of good people. All in all, it was very worthwhile and looks very good on my CV. So after I came back from the states, um, I had quite a good CV at this point. Um, I had evidence of funding and this research led to another high impact publication. And so a couple of things occurred to me at this point. Um, I was starting to feel like maybe it was time to, um, stop. Researching my own ideas. I'm getting a bit of independence, but also open to that point. My partner and I had been living in separate cities and I had been very much focused on getting the high impact papers. And we decided it was about time that we came together and at least lived in the same city. So we decided it was a good point and that my CV was good. For me to apply for, um, some fellowships. So I was a little cocky about this, uh, to begin with. And I applied for a junior research fellowship at the university of Nottingham. Um, and I did this without talking to my PI or without getting a lot of advice, um, from my PI and from others around me. And this did not turn out so well or maybe. Um, I did not get shortlisted, um, which came as a bit of a surprise. Um, and I learned that what is quite important is to actually sit down and think about your research area. What is it that you want to research that is different from what somebody else is doing and why, and how can you bring something to this area? So, After this, I sat down with my supervisor and we had a discussion about what it is that I could research and what my area of expertise is, and it could be, and I decided then to apply for a sir Henry Dale fellowship. So this turned out to be successful. Part of the main reason that it was successful was my having had that conversation and having sat down and asked for advice and asked for help. Um, because in the end, all anybody can do is say no, and people are generally quite eager and happy to help you if you want. So when I came up to Sheffield, um, I was carrying on with research that I had started in my APS lab. So she had delivered to me to get preliminary data from application. And the agreement was that she would be the senior author on that research. And I would be the first author because obviously I have. And we agree that this would be for the first paper, which thankfully we have had published now. And that from here on, I was any further research that I do. Um, I would be last author on, um, these are never easy conversations to have, but, uh, I think my advice to people in this situation is to pluck up the courage and just to get the confidence and go in and talk to your PI, uh, And tell them that you were applying for a fellowship and work out where the lines are and where your research, where your autonomy will begin. So I'm, I'm quite fortunate at the moment. Um, having gotten this Henry Dale fellowship because it's five years long. So I'm in a position now where I can. Really focus on trying to develop my own research ideas and my own research. Nice without having a lot of teaching, um, around my neck, which is fantastic. So my aims at the moment are to develop my research ideas and to get my first, last author research paper. Um, I'm also in the position where I'm learning how to manage people, which is it's very different from being a post-doc I'm now in charge of people. And when things go wrong, I'm. And I have to fix it, but it's quite, it's still quite exciting. And while I'm not on the bench, as much as I used to be, um, I'm still very much enjoying myself and enjoying my work. So I think my advice for anyone who is looking to do a fellowship is firstly, just keep trying. You will probably fail the first time, but so does everybody else, and that's fine. And also don't be afraid to ask for advice. All people can do is say no, and it's invaluable and you need it.