Writing with Juliet Iwelunmor

Today marks 14 years since I got my PhD from Penn State University. When I look back at that experience, look back at the lessons learnt, one thing stands clear, that even if I loose everything today, I can rebuild from the ground up because of the people that helped to shape the story I am able to tell, a profound curiosity with learning, a willingness to adapt, to change course when necessary even if it hurts, but most of us to nurture who I am, for whom I am and why I am.

I call that having a plan or have people, to learn, adapt, and nurture this journey through research. By people, my family is my strong foundation upon which I stand and I am so grateful for their support. But my mentor has equally shaped who I am and I strongly urge that you choose to be equally yoked with those who will work to ensure your voice is sovereign.

Then there is learning. Not only learning what will make you succeed is what I share these days, but learning that comes from failing. Failure is at the heart of why I started to write grants. The first one I wrote was written as a graduate student and it failed. But I dug in, studied the failure with the science, then channeled that failure into my first predoctoral grant.

Then there is adapting. About 3 years into my doctoral program, my dad passed away the same week my oral exams was to begin. I could do two things. Stop and spend the year mourning, or continue. My mentor and family helped me continue as they all knew that this is exactly what my dad would have wanted.

Finally, nurture what matters to you. There is this relief that I get always knowing that the work I am interested in, so many people are equally interested in it. This is why I say that can’t quiet a woman who knows her worth, who knows why she exists and is willing to get out of her own way to find a way. Nurturing all of you should be at the heart of what you do. For there are miracles in you waiting for their turn to happen if only you never give up on yourself.

So for today and perhaps the next 14 years, I hope to keep surrounding myself with people that matter, engaging in learning that matters, adapting with experiences that matter, while nurturing what matters still for me. I hope to never ever give up on me and rather I’m so prepared to get loud for my dreams. Here is to many more years.