On June 25th, the last pre-summer Breakfast with a Scientist took place. We were pleased to invite a lovely married couple of researchers, Lenka and Andrej Bešše, who shared their fascinating story of travelling to Switzerland and back to the Czech Republic and offered valuable insights from their careers in medical research.
Lenka Bešše's academic journey began in 2014 when she completed her PhD in oncology at the Faculty of Medicine in Brno. Then, she met Christoph Driessen from St. Gallen Hospital, who had come to Brno to lecture. This chance meeting led to Lenka introducing Christoph to the Tugendhat Villa, which impressed him so much that he offered her a position in his laboratory in Switzerland. Newly married, Lenka and her husband Andrej took advantage of this rare opportunity. Andrej, who was in his first year of doctoral studies at Masaryk University, was thrilled with the offer. He enrolled at the University of Zurich and restarted his doctoral studies in the new environment.
In Switzerland, Lenka focused on research into multiple myeloma and microRNA. She adapted to her new boss's specialization, which proved to be an exciting and productive period. After two years as a postdoc and an internship at the University of Florida, Lenka was offered a position as a lab head. She accepted the offer, though transitioning from a colleague to a leadership role was challenging. However, she created a positive environment in the lab with open communication and mutual respect. Andrej commented on Lenka's new role: "If you are partners, you are equals. But you become a boss by being a leader and knowing more than others. Lenka fulfilled both of these points."
Initially, their dedication to work left little room for work-life balance. The arrival of children, however, brought significant changes. Andrej and Lenka adjusted their work schedules to be more efficient and ensured quality time for the family. The children provided them with a natural break from work and a greater life balance.
Lenka appreciates her former boss mainly for giving them absolute freedom in researching their scientific ideas: "This freedom that he gave us, we then passed on to our undergraduate and doctoral students. The freedom to develop their thoughts and ideas. That is what I really like," she said. Andrej emphasized that curiosity and mutual trust are key to successfully leading a laboratory.
After nine years in Switzerland, they decided to return to the Czech Republic. "We were never Swiss, and our children would also be foreigners. It was time to build a career in the Czech Republic and allow the children to learn their native language and build relationships with grandparents and family," Lenka explained.
Upon returning, Lenka noticed differences in research independence and funding. Swiss grants are challenging, but you have more trust, freedom, and independence once you secure them. Sometimes, people are too competitive and refuse to collaborate. The Czech academic environment is more pleasant because you can meet many experts and perhaps encounter a specialist sitting in the next office. Andrej pointed out the structured doctoral programs in Switzerland and the benefits of European networking. "The Swiss have high living standards, so they are reluctant to apply for doctoral or postdoctoral positions. They prefer to invite people from other countries," Andrej noted. Lenka recommended that anyone looking for such positions in Switzerland be persistent and use networking. "Be persistent, call and write to people. For example, contact the CometX association, which connects Czech, Slovak, and Polish expats and professionals in Switzerland, supports long-term partnerships, and shares information to support world-class talents on their Swiss journey," she emphasized.
Lenka and Andrej's journey provided valuable insights into the challenges of their careers in medical research. Their experiences highlight the importance of communication, collaboration, and a balanced approach to work and family life. Their story is a testament to the power of seizing opportunities, adapting to new environments, and maintaining a strong support system at work and home. Their narrative can inspire future scientists to embrace challenges, foster strong professional relationships, and passionately pursue their goals.
The next Breakfast with a Scientist will be hosted by Stjepan Uldrijan on September 10, 2024, at 8:00 am. We will meet again at the University Campus Library.
The Internal grant agency of the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University has announced the results of the Start-up and Accelerate calls with implementation start on 1st January 2025.
This year, the Internal Grant Agency of the Faculty of Medicine at MU has once again announced a selection procedure for filling a postdoctoral position. This time, four positions are open, giving more research groups the opportunity not only to find but also to employ a talented postdoc from abroad.
