My PhD Journey (2019 to 2023)

I've seen many amazing PhD stories on LinkedIn, filled with impressive publications and numerous awards. However, I believe most PhD journeys are more ordinary, and my story is one that many can relate to. It might seem unremarkable to some, but every PhD journey is unique and special.

First-week challenges

I started my PhD in 2019. During my first week, a lab colleague showed me how to do a Western blot. I had only worked with Bio-Rad systems before, but our lab used Biozym, which was slightly different. I tried two or three times, but the blots were completely empty. My colleagues thought I was making mistakes in the transfer process, either using the wrong buffer or placing the gel incorrectly. I knew I was doing everything right, but it just wasn't working. I overheard them gossiping that I didn't even know how to do a Western blot, which made me feel terrible.

Later, I discovered the problem. My colleague had shown me a demo using a large tank blot system that required only two blot sponges and two filter papers. I did the same with the smaller system, but it didn't work. The sponges in the large tank blot were thick enough to create a tight sandwich, but in the small tank, the sponges were thinner. I needed to use four filter papers instead of two to achieve a proper protein transfer. It took me a few days to figure this out, but when I did, I felt incredibly relieved and happy. This was how my PhD journey began

Establishing cell systems

Throughout my PhD, I faced many challenges, particularly in establishing cell systems for my research on the protein BCAM. We aimed to create stable overexpression, CRISPR knockout, Tet-inducible system, and mutagenesis systems. Setting these up took half of my PhD. While others in my lab discussed their results at meetings, I often talked about the problems I was trying to solve in establishing these cell systems.

Impact of COVID-19

Initially, I hoped to finish my PhD in three years. However, I soon realized that not every project is the same; some require more time and effort. To establish these stable clones, I had to be in the lab almost every day to monitor the cells. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, introducing strict measures that limited lab access. We had to work on schedules, with no more than one person in the lab at a time. This hindered my work significantly, forcing me to work extra hours in the evenings.

Tough time

By 2021, the third year of my PhD, I had finally established my cell systems and began experiments. However, my results often contradicted my hypotheses. During a discussion, my boss, who had over 40+ years of experience in cancer research and had won prestigious awards like the Leibniz Prize and the German Cancer Award, referred to my project as a "black box." This made me realize just how challenging my project was and how difficult the first two and a half years had been.

Thankfully, my boss, Prof. Rolf Müller, and my supervisor, Dr. Sabine Müller, believed in me.

Dr. Till Adhikary often would motivate me by calling me "Dr. Suresh," even when I had lost all hope of finishing my PhD. Their belief and encouragement kept me going through the toughest times.

Turning point of my PhD story

In the beginning of 2022, my project finally started to take a positive turn. My supervisor suggested exploring spheroids, as they are common in ascites, a fluid build-up often seen in ovarian cancer patients. We observed that the BCAM overexpression cells began to form loose spheroids, which was a novel and interesting phenomenon. We delved into the literature and found that while loose and tight spheroids were discussed mainly in the context of chemoresistance, no one had explored their role in metastasis. We discovered that loose spheroids could easily break down, enhancing mesothelial clearance and better dispersion in the collagen matrix, which could lead to increased metastasis. In 2023, This finding was significant and led to a paper published in Clinical and Translational Medicine with an impact factor of 10.6. This was the turning point of my story.

My paper link

Completion of my PhD in 2023

In 2023, not only did my efforts lead to a publication, but they also revived my hope and motivation. I continued to work hard and successfully completed my PhD with magna cum laude. One of the happiest moments for me was after my PhD presentation. In front of everyone, my boss said, "This is one of the best presentations I have ever seen." That comment is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Conclusion of my story

Thinking about my journey, I realize it was a rollercoaster ride filled with ups and downs, along with small victories along the way. It might not have been as glamorous as some of the PhD journeys I've seen, but it was uniquely mine.

Every PhD journey, no matter how ordinary it might seem to the outside world, is special to the person who lived it. My PhD taught me invaluable lessons: hope, patience, perseverance, and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. It showed me the power of not giving up, no matter how tough things get.

I hope my journey resonates with others who might be facing similar struggles. Remember, every PhD story is worth sharing because each one is unique and valuable in its own way.