Women in Science - Online Interviews

Dr. Vanja M King

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.

A typical day involves reviewing research project work requested by one industry for broad applicability to several industries, and relating the methodology to the real world in which the product has to work. Then the phone rings, a salesperson or customer is on the other line asking for information or help with a problem or application of a product. Next, a meeting to discuss the progress of a top project. Now, somebody from the group comes in to discuss their current research project and how it is progressing. A conference call from the patent attorney comes in and several of us discuss a current patent application. The day ends with the writing of a page or two of a paper. Tomorrow a customer is coming in to learn more about our company and our research and products.

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 am a microbiologist by training. While in undergraduate school, I became fascinated by microbiology and later by biochemistry. My interests are practical and I like my work to be in the "real world", so industry suits me very well. I have obtained a Ph.D. in (industrial) microbiology. Although I am a manager, I keep very close to my discipline by reading and attending conferences.

3. What is the best thing about your job?

I like best to problem solve, and design research projects in cooperation with other people.

4. What do you like the least?

I like the least that there are not enough hours to do what I would like to do in the more long term area of research.

5. 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 was always interested in science, read everything I could put my hands on, but I went back to school as an adult.

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

My microbiology professor made the subject very interesting.

7. What is your favorite quote?

My favorite quote is the one by Fleming (of penicillin fame) regarding chance favoring the prepared mind.

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

Both in high school and college, find a teacher/professor to work with in any capacity and for free if that is what it takes. There is nothing like working directly on a project to make science real.

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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.
	A typical day involves reviewing research project work requested by one industry for broad applicability to several industries, and relating the methodology to the real world in which the product has to work. Then the phone rings, a salesperson or customer is on the other line asking for information or help with a problem or application of a product. Next, a meeting to discuss the progress of a top project. Now, somebody from the group comes in to discuss their current research project and how it is progressing. A conference call from the patent attorney comes in and several of us discuss a current patent application. The day ends with the writing of a page or two of a paper. Tomorrow a customer is coming in to learn more about our company and our research and products.
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 am a microbiologist by training. While in undergraduate school, I became fascinated by microbiology and later by biochemistry. My interests are practical and I like my work to be in the "real world", so industry suits me very well. I have obtained a Ph.D. in (industrial) microbiology. Although I am a manager, I keep very close to my discipline by reading and attending conferences.
3.	What is the best thing about your job?
	I like best to problem solve, and design research projects in cooperation with other people.
4.	What do you like the least?
	I like the least that there are not enough hours to do what I would like to do in the more long term area of research.
5.	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 was always interested in science, read everything I could put my hands on, but I went back to school as an adult.
6.	Was there any person (parent, teacher, mentor, professor) you felt influenced you to pursue this field?
	My microbiology professor made the subject very interesting.
7.	What is your favorite quote?
	My favorite quote is the one by Fleming (of penicillin fame) regarding chance favoring the prepared mind.
8.	What advice do you have for young women who might be interested in the field of science?
	Both in high school and college, find a teacher/professor to work with in any capacity and for free if that is what it takes. There is nothing like working directly on a project to make science real.