Two researchers in the School of Biosciences, Anne and Jo Roobol, are the lead authors of a recent publication in the Biochemical Journal. The publication showcases excellent Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) sponsored research, and is also rather unique in the fact that the lead authors are mother and daughter.
Daughter Jo came to her current role when a chance application for a lab technician post resulted in her finding a career she enjoys, in a field where research can result in medical advances – a field where her mother has a long history of research work. Having found her niche, Jo was able to develop her skill set and understanding further, by studying part-time for a master’s degree in Microbiology while working full-time in Dr Ian Blomfield’s lab. Her study was funded by the University, and Ian supported her studies.
In her current role, Jo has been able to benefit from Anne’s extensive laboratory experience, saying: “I feel I gain massively as my mother has so much experience from her career so it’s been great to fine tune my skills. During previous technician posts I would see her students blossom and gain confidence in the lab and directly hear from students how much they have appreciated her help and guidance.”
Anne has worked at Kent since 1975, with an 8 year career break, during which she looked after a growing family. Anne and Jo’s research was conducted in Mark Smales’ lab as part of the Centre for Molecular Processing, where Anne has worked for the past 7 years, with Jo joining her there 6 years ago. Many of us might find working with family challenging, but Anne and Jo “work together in a surprisingly harmonious way.” This harmony might be the result of their obvious shared passion for their work. Anne says “I love laboratory work: I like thinking about, planning and doing experiments. Best of all is when you find out something new – this always more than offsets the times when things don’t pan-out.” Jo shares this passion for the practical process of discovery and adds that the variety, freedom and responsibility of planning her own workload all make lab work her ideal job.
The publication can be found here: http://www.biochemj.org/bj/458/0213/bj4580213.htm