RE-INTRODUCTION VIDEO | My PhD and Me

TL;DR

Jessica shares her journey from being a PhD student studying natural products chemistry to her current role as a research scientist in environmental chemistry.

Transcript

laughs hello my YouTube friends and welcome back to my channel so today actually signifies my 100th video here on YouTube which is absolutely crazy to think that I've managed to put out 100 videos but in celebration of my 100th video I thought I would do a little reintroduction video because there have been so many new subscribers recently and some... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🎓 Jessica's YouTube channel initially focused on sharing her personal PhD journey and offering advice to other PhD students.
• 📽️ Her PhD project centered on finding natural compounds for anti-fouling purposes in marine environments, with potential applications in various industries.
• 👨‍🔬 Jessica's current job as a research scientist in environmental chemistry involves method development and quantification of contaminants in different environmental samples.
• 🧑‍🎓 She has transitioned from being a PhD student to an independent researcher, continuously learning and evolving in her field.
• 💦 Jessica's YouTube channel has reached over 5,000 subscribers, creating a supportive community of viewers interested in her journey and work.
• 🎮 She invites video suggestions from her subscribers and appreciates learning about their backgrounds and interests.
• 👶 Jessica's transition from a PhD student to a research scientist required adjusting to a new field and developing new skills.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the main focus of Jessica's PhD project?

Jessica's PhD project aimed to find natural product compounds with anti-fouling activity to prevent biofouling on subsea structures, benefiting industries such as oil and gas, decommissioning, renewable energy, and shipping.

Q: How long did Jessica spend on her PhD?

Jessica spent three and a half years on her PhD, extending it by three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q: What is Jessica's current job and field of research?

Jessica is currently working as a research scientist in environmental chemistry. Her focus is on method development and quantifying contaminants in environmental samples such as river water, sediments, soils, and fish.

Q: How has Jessica's job as a research scientist differed from her PhD?

In her current role, Jessica works on multiple projects simultaneously and primarily utilizes LC triple quadrupole MS for quantification. She now focuses on environmental contaminants, including Pharmaceuticals, pesticides, pfas, endocrine disruptors, and personal care products.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jessica started her YouTube channel two years ago to document her PhD journey and provide advice to others in similar situations.

• Her PhD project focused on finding natural product compounds with anti-fouling activity to benefit maritime industries.

• After completing her PhD, Jessica found a job as a research scientist in environmental chemistry, where she works on method development and quantification of contaminants in environmental samples.