17. 2. 2022
Women in Science - interview with dr. Elena Bužan
Between 11 February (International Day of Women and Girls in Science) and 8 March (International Women's Day), we present UP researchers who have achieved important milestones in their research work and their thoughts on the position of women in science in the past year.
Dr. Elena Bužan works in the fields of population and conservation genetics, phylogeny, and nature protection, and is the leader of the STEP CHANGE project (Science Transformation and Europe through Citizens Involvement in HeAlth, conservation, and energy research) of Horizon 2020, which began in 2021.
INTERVIEW
Most young people decide to work in the economy or continue their academic path while still studying. What attracted you to a career at university?
From a young age, I knew I wanted to dedicate myself to science. My interest in science, especially chemistry and biology, was immeasurable. However, after finishing my studies, I put my childhood decisions on the sidelines for a while and opted for economics. After five years of working in the industry, the desire to research became too great and was no longer offset by poorer financial conditions in science or job insecurity, so I applied for a position as a young researcher at the University of Primorska. I realized that I wanted to be a part of a research story that radically changed my life. Today, when I look back, I would make the same decision. Working at a university offers a good opportunity for research work, which allows me to look for answers to my curiosity and satisfies the desire to understand and the desire to help nature and people. At the same time, this work allows me to participate in the educational process with young people and transfer knowledge, or shoud I say, this magic of getting to know life in small but sure steps.
Your scientific path is characterized by connecting different research fields and creating interesting research and projects. Which of these researches brought you the most joy and a sense of creativity?
I find interdisciplinarity very important. I have never strictly distinguished between natural sciences. These differences were invented by people themselves. It’s just about different views on one and the same thing, on nature.
My primary research area is molecular ecology, which involves learning about processes in nature through the genetic design of organisms. However, my work touches on both the research of the DNA molecule in the laboratory as well as the transfer of findings from the laboratory to the practice associated with maintaining genetic variability; it is the basis for the adaptation of populations (I am mainly interested in wildlife) to changing living conditions.
My favorite is to spend time in the lab or scientific discussions with my group; intensive teamwork is the only way if we want to do anything meaningful in science. However, I am aware that the role of the scientist is much broader. In addition to academic work, our social engagement and communication with citizens are also very important, which is the foundation of open science.
In recent years, we have been very successful in obtaining projects from the EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020. It is within them that I can realize my vision of responsible (bio) science. As part of the StepChange project, which we have been implementing since March 2021, with the participation of the general public, we will address extremely important issues of today, such as reducing energy consumption, health and cardiovascular disease and obesity, spreading zoonoses, and other infectious diseases (including covid-19 ) and of course the monitoring and protection of wildlife. This project is one of my favorites, as it will greatly strengthen the connection between researchers and citizens (as end-users of research achievements) and, perhaps most importantly, the trust between different stakeholders.
From the woman, the scientist is expected to be successful in science as well as in private life or in raising children. How do you maintain harmony between work and family?
Yes, science is not just a profession - it is a mission that occupies you 24 hours a week, 7 days a week. I admit that the hardest part for me was the beginning of both my research and family paths, which coincided with me in time. At that time, the support of the family, both narrowly and scientifically, was extremely important. My research beginnings have been marked by postdoctoral training and conferences abroad. Here I have to thank especially the grandmothers and grandfathers of my child, as they all very often came to the aid of care, not only at home but also abroad. It’s a lot easier today, as the son is already a teenager; given that he grew up in a “research spirit”, he looks forward to scientific conferences (when he can travel with me) and also understands when I need peace and my time to write a scientific publication or implement a project.
I’m happy, notwithstanding some things that may have failed me in my life because of the abundance of research work; namely, I feel that I am part of some common effort that is leading humanity to a better tomorrow. And I enjoy it. In doing so, I think it is very important that I can sometimes help people and share my knowledge with others.
dr. Vesna Grahovac, Sector for research, development, and artistic activity
