Hi, I’m Gill (or more recently Dr Cadden!) and I have just started my postdoctoral research at Glasgow in Marshall Starks group, with whom I also undertook my PhD project. During this time, I studied the rotational mechanism of site-specific recombination catalysed by serine recombinases using single-molecule FRET methods. Though I now think of myself as a molecular geneticist, I had no idea my career would lead me to where I am today, and it all seems to have happened via a bit of a winding road!

The first time I came to the university was back in 2013, when I began my bachelor’s degree studying chemistry. I was very determined and although I was useless at organic chemistry and coped well with inorganic chemistry but had no passion for it, I managed to find my passion in physical chemistry. I always loved physics and felt I had surprised my friends and family by choosing to study chemistry over physics, but I found it more challenging, and I love a challenge! In my undergraduate labs I felt the physical labs never quite lived up to those of organic and inorganic chemistry. There were no explosions, no colour changes, no crazy synthesis routes! However, in my final year I had the opportunity to work with Steven Magennis (who would later become the second supervisor of my PhD project) and started working on single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy. It was fascinating, being able to directly observe movements of individual molecules and analyse their kinetics scientifically. It perfectly combined my love for both physics and chemistry and introduced me (finally) to the world of biology!

As I said before, I do love a challenge, and so when Steven suggested that I continue my undergraduate work as a PhD student, I agreed. This meant that Marshall would become my senior supervisor, and for the first time in 2017 I was introduced into a genetics lab. It was daunting undertaking a PhD in a field in which I had no foundational experience, but Marshall was very supportive of me and my undergraduate work. During my PhD I felt I had avoided all the things I’d worried most about. I had great supervisors and a wonderful lab environment with a great deal of freedom to express my ideas. I had a great work/ life balance by being determined not to work weekends and get everything done during the week. I had time to join societies including Glasgow Student Dance Company, where I learned every style of dancing from Irish to Bollywood and found a great escape from my science life. I had time to go off camping, hiking and cycling with my friends up north at the weekends and make more time for the people I love.

With the Covid-19 pandemic, and difficult times we’ve all been living through, it’s easy for things to look very uncertain. Although I felt greatly privileged to undertake my PhD in my 20’s, in a time of my life with minimal commitments, the crucial final 1.5 years were spent in lockdown. Overcoming this difficult period and completing my PhD has truly shown me what I’m capable of and given me the confidence to take my next step. Through my passion for chemistry, physics, then biology and finally genetics, I find myself where I am today. I’m looking to the future and how my journey will progress. I love the idea of having an academic career, and continuing my research in the lab, which is just like having a hobby for a job. Although it’s unclear, I’ve learned that’s one of the great things about being a scientist, you never really know where your next step might to take you! If you ever want to discuss your own journey, some single-molecule research, or just fancy some Bollywood dancing, contact me at gillian.cadden@glasgow.ac.uk!

First published: 23 August 2021

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