Women in Science - Online Interviews

Laura Capuco

1. Give a brief description of your job telling what you do, (a day in your life) but also what you do specifically in your position.

I just got my Master's degree in Biochemistry, although my thesis project was in brain development. Now I am a part-time technician in my thesis lab and I also work another job as an editor at the UCSF newspaper. I am very interested in science writing and education. I usually work from 10am-6:30 or 7:30pm. What I like best is the luxury of having flexible hours--I set my own schedule!

2. How did you decide upon your career? When did you know you wanted to do it and how did you prepare for it?

I knew in high school and college that I was going to be a biology major. My parents are both in the sciences (chemistry), so I always thought that science was important. It's certainly not what I am best at, though, so without their influence I'd be in a different field. I should have taken more science classes in college in order to prepare myself for grad school, but I decided that college was the time to explore other fields, and I don't regret that decision. When else can you take classes in Japanese or Holocaust Literature, etc.?

3. What is the best thing about your job? What do you like the least?

I like the flexible hours, the sense of independence, that most people are very supportive of you. I dislike the daily grind--science can be very repetitive and slow-going.

4. As a kid, what kinds of things did you do to prepare for this job? What books did you read or what things did you do that let you know you would like this field?

I don't remember having any particular experiences in school that made me lean toward science. In fact, I had some bad experiences with bad teachers in math, physics, and chemistry, that made me rather phobic of these areas.

5. Was there any person (parent, teacher, mentor, professor) you felt influenced you to pursue this field?

My parents were definitely a strong influence. Also, I had an excellent physiology teacher in high school senior year who, I think, influenced a lot of people to pursue science and medicine.

6. What is your favorite quote?

Barbara McClintock, the woman who discovered "jumping" genes by studying corn, said (in response to being snubbed by the Academy of Sciences for so long- they thought she was nuts): "All that matters is the truth, the rest will wash out in the long run," or something like that.

7. What advice do you have for young women who might be interested in the field of science?

Be strong. Be persistent. Don't let anyone sway you from your interest. It's not easy going. Find out more about what working/studying in science is really like.

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1.	Give a brief description of your job telling what you do, (a day in your life) but also what you do specifically in your position.
	I just got my Master's degree in Biochemistry, although my thesis project was in brain development. Now I am a part-time technician in my thesis lab and I also work another job as an editor at the UCSF newspaper. I am very interested in science writing and education. I usually work from 10am-6:30 or 7:30pm. What I like best is the luxury of having flexible hours--I set my own schedule!
2.	How did you decide upon your career? When did you know you wanted to do it and how did you prepare for it?
	I knew in high school and college that I was going to be a biology major. My parents are both in the sciences (chemistry), so I always thought that science was important. It's certainly not what I am best at, though, so without their influence I'd be in a different field. I should have taken more science classes in college in order to prepare myself for grad school, but I decided that college was the time to explore other fields, and I don't regret that decision. When else can you take classes in Japanese or Holocaust Literature, etc.?
3.	What is the best thing about your job? What do you like the least?
	I like the flexible hours, the sense of independence, that most people are very supportive of you. I dislike the daily grind--science can be very repetitive and slow-going.
4.	As a kid, what kinds of things did you do to prepare for this job? What books did you read or what things did you do that let you know you would like this field?
	I don't remember having any particular experiences in school that made me lean toward science. In fact, I had some bad experiences with bad teachers in math, physics, and chemistry, that made me rather phobic of these areas.
5.	Was there any person (parent, teacher, mentor, professor) you felt influenced you to pursue this field?
	My parents were definitely a strong influence. Also, I had an excellent physiology teacher in high school senior year who, I think, influenced a lot of people to pursue science and medicine.
6.	What is your favorite quote?
	Barbara McClintock, the woman who discovered "jumping" genes by studying corn, said (in response to being snubbed by the Academy of Sciences for so long- they thought she was nuts): "All that matters is the truth, the rest will wash out in the long run," or something like that.
7.	What advice do you have for young women who might be interested in the field of science?
	Be strong. Be persistent. Don't let anyone sway you from your interest. It's not easy going. Find out more about what working/studying in science is really like.