(Average reading time 2 mins)
In the penultimate instalment of this series following the PhD journey at the Euan MacDonald Centre, we catch up with Hannah Crick - University of Edinburgh, now in Year 4 and is preparing for submission and to undertake her Viva. Hannah reflects on a PhD journey shaped by independence, perseverance, and growth.
Looking back now, how has your PhD journey evolved?
Like a roman road onto a roundabout then, somewhere, an accidental turn onto a 6-lane motorway and every year I seem to be driving more cars (but I think I’m getting the hang of it!).
What are you most proud of achieving during your PhD?
I think most students go through a period when the experiment isn’t working; the data is foggy, and you question whether what you’re doing has been flawed even after you’ve put years of work into it. I’m probably most proud to have worked through that stage and out the other side with minimal bruising and without being too grumpy with everyone around me!
How as the Euan MacDonald Centre shaped your PhD experience?
With the Euan MacDonald Centre PhD you slot into a lineage of previous and subsequent students, and at the same time a wider MND-focused community. For me, this has made it feel like I was able to carve my own PhD and my own space in this corner of the MND research world, within a sheltered yet exciting environment. The Euan MacDonald Centre’s academic meetings, particularly, provide an opportunity to practice presenting your work to a broad, expert, but also supportive group, which can be a rare opportunity.
What has been the most enjoyable and the most difficult aspect of your PhD?
These are probably the two sides of the same coin: I love having the independence and freedom to discover knowledge that matters, but that comes with having to push through when I’ve thought the work isn’t going anywhere and that extrinsic motivation leaves. Then balancing that inertia by learning when, and how, to stop again and rest properly, has been a long but necessary journey.
What are your plans after completing your PhD?
I’m hoping to continue working in the field as a post-doctorate researcher – ideally continuing in the vein of my PhD project if possible.
What advice would you give to new PhD students starting at the Centre?
Do other things! It’s one thing to go hard in the run up to a deadline or for the last few months to get a project over the line, but it won’t help to try and do that for 3-4 years when your results are outside your control. Take the chance to find new hobbies around your PhD or keep up old ones.
What attracted you to MND research?
I knew I wanted to work in neurodegeneration then fell into MND research by accident while working with a Euan MacDonald Centre group in my undergraduate research project. The Euan MacDonald Centre funded studentship then allowed me to remain, and progress, in the field.
Watch this short video from Hannah about her PhD journey.
Opens University of Edinburgh's Media Hopper. Viewing time approximately 1 min.
Download the audio transcription pdf
Relevant links
Read the introductory article: Training the Next Generation of MND Researchers
Information about the Euan MacDonald Centre
Information about the funded PhD scheme
Information about how you can support us
Image courtesy of Hannah Crick