Category: PhD Life
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Which Year Are You and How Many Papers Have You Published? Do I Need Papers for Industry Too?
Key takeaways How many papers you have by year 3 depends hugely on your field — it is a poor measure of how good your PhD actually is. Industry jobs in pharma, biotech, and regulatory science do not require publications; they hire for skills and problem-solving. Real progress often does not show up on a…
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Why I Quit Comparing My Progress and Finally Started Moving Forward
Somewhere between my second year and my third existential crisis, I made a decision: I would stop using other people’s progress as the ruler for my own.
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My PhD Journey Through an Innovation Blackout
Key takeaways Innovation doesn’t always feel innovative — feeling stuck is often “fermenting,” not failing. Rest is a real research strategy: naps and detours often spark the best ideas. Innovation is mostly observing what’s already there and connecting it in new ways — so show up, stay curious, and keep moving. 📖 Reading time: ~3…
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The Great Jollof Standoff: A Multicultural Festival Tale
Key takeaways Multicultural spaces create unexpected connections — a friendly jollof rice rivalry can bridge cultures faster than any formal introduction. Food is identity: spotting your country’s flag at a festival is a surprisingly powerful moment of belonging. Sometimes the best research breaks are festival food, friendly national debates, and finding community outside the lab.…
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The Journey: How a Stubborn Cowboy-in-Training Ended Up in a PhD Programme
Born in a village where the cowboy life looked very appealing, I was shipped off to school by my grandfather against my will. What happened next was either discipline, destiny, or both.
BreathPharma 