I love what I do and wouldn't change it for the world!

I really do love what I do. I get to do the most fun things: researching microbiology and tissue engineering, and then bringing them together to look at microbiological infections of cells.

Doing a PhD is amazing. It is hard work, long hours, and you never really switch off – forever thinking, planning, analyzing, dreaming of the project – which, yes, is exhausting, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

It’s not for everyone, of course, and you get out of it what you want to. So for me, I grabbed it by the horns and have made the most of my (nearly) three years in academia. I’ve networked with hundreds of people, found out things that nobody ever knew before, and presented my work all around the world. I’m so proud of what I have achieved so far within this project, and I just wanted to say that I am so lucky to have not only the academic support of my supervisory team (which is the best that exists anywhere as far as I’m concerned), but also the day-to-day support of my family, friends, colleagues, and even people I have never met before but interact with frequently through the wonders of the internet. The roller coaster of a ride during the PhD is real, with super high highs, and low lows… but perseverance, so they say, will help you win!

I’m getting all delusional, and beyond tired, writing papers at midnight… so that’s all for now! (Still wouldn’t change a thing!)

Dr. Daniel Morse (@danieljmorse) is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Cardiff University. This story was published on August 18, 2016, on Dr. Morse’s blog, I’m A Scientist (available here), and has been republished here with his permission.