Professor Sarah Coupland talks juggling work and family, why she became a scientist and her biggest achievement.
What’s your biggest achievement so far in your career?
Having three wonderful children – all the same age – and being able to continue working as a diagnostic pathologist, and establish a successful research team composed of great people, who’ve provided me with the support to progress up through the academic ranks.
What made you pursue a career in academic medicine?
My father was my inspiration to pursue a combined medical and research career pathway. He established the Medical Oncology service in Canberra Australia: when growing up as a child, I was always surrounded by ‘medical speak’ and heard about the advances in therapies, as they occurred. Considerable progress has been made through the application of medical science since the time I was an undergraduate medical student in Sydney. I’m optimistic that many more treatment breakthroughs will be made with our novel technologies in the near future.
Would you like to share any advice to women scientists about the issue of balancing work and family?
It is difficult to balance both, but there are ways of juggling both spheres. This requires great organizational skills, including incorporating help from others (e.g., child caretakers and after-school clubs); good time management; stamina and being prepared to sleep less, as you often have to work either very late or very early (!); building good relationships with colleagues and having a dedicated partner with whom to balance your own personal strengths and weaknesses.
Further information regarding International Women's Day can be found on their website: http://www.internationalwomensday.com
#InternationalWomensDay #PledgeForParity
What’s your biggest achievement so far in your career?
Having three wonderful children – all the same age – and being able to continue working as a diagnostic pathologist, and establish a successful research team composed of great people, who’ve provided me with the support to progress up through the academic ranks.
What made you pursue a career in academic medicine?
My father was my inspiration to pursue a combined medical and research career pathway. He established the Medical Oncology service in Canberra Australia: when growing up as a child, I was always surrounded by ‘medical speak’ and heard about the advances in therapies, as they occurred. Considerable progress has been made through the application of medical science since the time I was an undergraduate medical student in Sydney. I’m optimistic that many more treatment breakthroughs will be made with our novel technologies in the near future.
Would you like to share any advice to women scientists about the issue of balancing work and family?
It is difficult to balance both, but there are ways of juggling both spheres. This requires great organizational skills, including incorporating help from others (e.g., child caretakers and after-school clubs); good time management; stamina and being prepared to sleep less, as you often have to work either very late or very early (!); building good relationships with colleagues and having a dedicated partner with whom to balance your own personal strengths and weaknesses.
Further information regarding International Women's Day can be found on their website: http://www.internationalwomensday.com
#InternationalWomensDay #PledgeForParity
