Soapbox Science 2020 Online

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

Suzan Özugur: I choose a scientific career. A career in science is fascinating, challenging, and never boring!

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

SÖ: I would not say it was a key moment that brought me to the place where I am today, rather small moments and decisions. I am happy what I became and do not regret a single decision I have made.

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

SÖ: If I would have a superhero power, it would be the ability to sustain without oxygen and use the oxygen produced by algae, which live inside my blood vessels. With that I could fly to extreme high altitudes, fly to space, and dive into the deepest oceans

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

SÖ: The most exciting aspect of my research is that a cool science-fiction idea was successfully performed as an experiment.

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

SÖ: If I were stranded on a desert island, I would bring a microscope. It is so fascinating to examine smallest objects under a high magnification.

SB: What challenges do you encounter in science?

SÖ: I think the most challenging in science is that you never know how an experiment will turn out. You need to be flexible and you might have to change a set of experiments that you have already planned. Results might turn out not so pretty as expected and you need to interpret them and put them into a bigger picture.

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

SÖ: I love to share my research and get interesting questions and feedback that help me to further shape my research path. In my opinion it is important to have as much exchange with other people; both scientists and non-scientists. Especially the last group to bridge the gap between complicated science and interesting findings that are of great interest for an audience outside from science.

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

SÖ: Never think I cannot do it. Even if you are the first women doing it! Someone has to be the first one, then it better be you. Be proud what you are, and where you have made it so far. Look forward, ask yourself what you want, and what must be done to get there. Think about small steps
towards your goal, then you see how easy it might be. Just do it. If other people tell you, that you cannot do it, try harder to surprise them. It is all up to you.

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

SÖ: I love ‘Qualityland – from Marc-Uwe Kling’. Unfortunately, it is only available in German and it is not really science related, but definitely worth reading or listening! It plays in the (near) future where robots live among us, one of it is running for president. Funny, entertaining, and stimulates thought and reflection.