Dear Friends,
This week, we had a chat with Martin Kelly. Martin is a Biochemist and the co-founder of Science Cafe. In this letter, he shared about finding his inner child and developing an interest in people.
Enjoy.
What and when was your turning point?
My defining moment was when I was in my 100 level. Right from my childhood, two things have worked for me. I love reading books, and I love experimenting, science, and research. When it was time to go to university, I chose Biochemistry. And that was when I faced a lot of criticism. My parents were not bothered; they believed that I should do what made me happy, but there were a lot of other people who were important to me who didn't want me to go for Biochemistry. They wanted me to consider medicine and surgery or pharmacy - those were two courses that people were pushing me towards. But, I really wanted to do Biochemistry. When I got to school, what I experienced was different. Almost everyone in my department, aside from two that I had personal relations with, had applied for medicine and surgery or pharmacy, or other courses before they got transferred to Biochemistry. So, I heard a lot of, 'Why did you apply for biochemistry?' Someone even said they had never heard of the course 'Biochemistry' until they got the admission. So, there was a particular pressure I felt from people who were close to me outside of the department. There was a person who had a strong influence on me; he was three years ahead, and he told me that in that department only very few people graduate, and they graduate with poor results. There were stories about the department being difficult and the lecturers being sadists. At a point, I started to doubt my choice, I started to get suggestions from people to transfer to another department in the second year. This was when I sat down and I spoke to myself, and I knew I had to take a stand. The crucial point was that I found something which I really loved about Biochemistry again, and I knew that that was what I wanted to do, and if I deviated I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. So, I had to tell my friends that, 'if it is three people who were going to graduate from Biochemistry in my set, I would be among the three, and I would not have an extra year.' That was the moment I understood that for me to be happy and fulfilled, it all depends on me. I don't really need other people to define who I am."
How did you find Biochemistry, despite the fact that it is not a popular course?
What put me on that path was an experience I had in secondary school. It was during one of the summer breaks, and I spent a lot of time in the library because I love to read. In the library, I stumbled upon a textbook titled 'Biochemistry.' Reading through the book sparked my interest, even though at that age, I didn't fully understand everything I was reading. I was captivated by the subject, its focus on plants and living organisms, and the reactions within them. I was genuinely enthralled, and it was something I wasn't willing to give up for what others wanted, such as medicine and surgery. I'm not the kind of person who enjoys being around wounds, injuries, or blood, and pharmacy wasn't really my thing."
What was the one piece of advice you heard that you've lived your life by?
The advice is that no matter what people say, I always listen and weigh the options alongside my own vision of who I want to be. I know I'm not always right; I just have to consider them. In the end, I go for what I believe is best for me. The crucial thing is that I acknowledge that I have the final say in what happens to me, not what other people say or think.
How do you manage setbacks?
My first setback occurred when I was in my 300 level. I had to find an internship opportunity, and I soon discovered that the options were limited because Biochemistry doesn't have a strong presence in Nigeria. The initial weeks were discouraging as I struggled to secure a placement, and those who had advised me to pursue other courses reminded me of their warnings
I later had to leave Benin to go to Lagos to get a place where I wanted to do my internship. It is sad that there is no real market in Nigeria for Biochemistry, so I had to sit down, talk myself through it and project further into the future. I had to fit it with my long-term plans and what I wanted to do in future and with that I had peace.
What good news/thing in Nigeria is being overlooked?
The Internet is one thing we have overlooked. It has so much promise and potential. Of course, it has its demerits, but it is also important to discuss how much power it holds for us. Especially in our generation, it can serve as a breakthrough for us to learn and a means of connecting with others. Connection is key to personal growth. Many people are using it as a legitimate form of livelihood, so I think it is a force for good.
What's something that makes you feel hopeful for the future right now?
The interface of technology and scientific research excites me. In the past, in fields like drug design and discovery, screening for products was a time-consuming process. In Africa, we rely heavily on native drugs. For instance, if you take Bitterleaf to a laboratory for an experiment to isolate the active compound, it used to require a significant amount of time and money. However, with technology, you hear about concepts like bioinformatics and computer-aided drug design, which make the process easier and help narrow it down. This holds great promise, especially in this part of the world where we are gradually building our skills
What are three things you have done over the years that have made a big difference?
Developing an interest in people: Previously, I was just a bookworm. I could stay home for a while and only go out when I needed to get something. As a teen, I spent most of my time at home. If I got a book, everything else took second place. Even in a crowd, I could just stay coiled in a corner and read while forgetting that others existed. A year before going to the university and during my 100 level and 200 level, I made a conscious decision to take an interest in people, and it moulded me into a different kind of person. I got to relate more with people and empathize with them. It has its own reward.
Creating an online community with two of my friends: We call it Science Cafe. The idea came up during the COVID lockdown. It arose from a desire to provide opportunities and a learning ground for people to nurture their passion, especially those in Bioscience. It has grown over time from fewer than a dozen to over 100 members. I have watched the personal growth of each member of the community, and it has been tremendous. We have developed skills like public speaking, designing and organizing presentations, managing projects, and ideation.
Reconnecting with myself: I observe that as we grow up, many things happen (societal changes, problems) that can make you lose track of who you are. So, I make conscious steps to reconnect with myself by revisiting what I love. I do this by putting myself in a child's shoes. I also don't compare myself to other people; the only comparison I make is with my former self.
If you had an opportunity to send a message to your 15-year-old self, what would you tell him?
I will tell him to take things one step at a time. “You don’t have to do everything at a time”.
What is the one piece of advice you will give to someone just starting (in your space?)
Be patient with yourself. Filter what you hear using your own self-identity. It is essential to consider what you want, what others are telling you, and what the reality is. Often, some people become overly absorbed in their own views and neglect what the crowd is saying. Everything may not be true, but there is always an element of truth in what the crowd is saying. To find a career path you have to be patient and go through it. Everything is a process. One thing science taught me is that you can’t only have one big thing, there are always units in it.
What are you reading or listening to currently?
I listen to songs by Lionel Richie. My current reads are The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, and Appendices of the Lord of the Rings by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.
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See you next week.
Your friends,
From AllforDevelopment.
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