Soapbox Science 2020 Online

Soapbox: Did you choose a scientific career or did the scientific career choose you?

Nina Compera: To be part of a scientific community and do something good and help people with my work – this sounded fascinating to me from early on in my studies. But only during my master thesis I finally decided to stay in research and pursue a PhD.

SB: What was the key moment that brought you to the place where you are today?

NC: During my semester abroad in Copenhagen, I had an interesting lecture on microfluidics and organ-on-a-chip devices. So, when I saw the job ad for a doctoral researcher in the field of organ-on-chips at the Helmholtz Pioneer Campus online, I thought: “That’s it!”. Luckily, I got the job.

SB: What is your scientific superhero power? Or what superhero would you be?

NC: To stay positive, learn from failures and just try out the next exciting idea.

SB: What is the most exciting aspect of your research?

NC: A lot of people will eventually benefit from our daily work.

SB: If you were stranded on a desert island, what scientific equipment would you bring with you?

NC: A microscope! So many things in our daily surroundings are so fascinating but simply too small to see them with our bare eyes.

SB: What challenges do you encounter in science?

NC: Science, in general, is very challenging and highly competitive. It can be disappointing when something you have invested a lot of work in, simply does not work. But you learn from all these little failures, become stronger and tackle the next challenging problem highly motivated.

SB: What motivates you to give a talk in Soapbox Science?

NC: I believe the discussion and exchange with people, especially with those who are not into research, spurs creativity and inspiration on both sides. I want to learn and improve the way I talk about my research so that it is easily comprehensible. And I hope to convince any kid, student, parent, or grandparent who stops by how fascinating science can be and how it affects all of us, every day.

SB: Do you have a few words to inspire other women or young scientists?

NC: Believe in yourself! You can do this!

SB: In these quarantine days, what funny/interesting experiments, books, talks or podcast can you recommend to our audience?

NC: Anyone interested in “everyday science” should read Helen Czerski’s book “Storm in a Teacup: The Physics of Everyday Life”.