NAS Women: Find your passion in life

Posted on August 01, 2021

Women's Month: Focus on Prof Paulette Bloomer

Q: Job title and in which department/research entity do you work?
A: D
eputy Dean: Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Professor of Genetics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology

Q: What has been the highlight of your career?
A:
It is challenging to select only one. Ever since my first attendance of a graduation ceremony as a member of the academic procession in the AULA many years ago, the graduation and accomplishments of the PG students I have mentored and the students I lectured have become annual highlights. It isn't easy to describe the sense of pride when you introduce a PhD candidate at the ceremony. Celebrating the 21st birthday of my research group, the Molecular Ecology and Evolution Programme, in 2019 was a research highlight. Serving the Faculty and UP as head of an academic department for ten years and as deputy dean has been rewarding.

Q: What inspires you?
A:
Faith, the Christian and strong family values my parents instilled, my husband (who is also my best friend), time in nature away from city life, and having an inbuilt desire to contribute.

Q: What challenges have you experienced in your career?
A:
It is challenging to move through the academic ranks; I felt I had to prove myself many times. I suffered from burnout in 2011 and never thought it could happen to me. It taught me how important it is not to lose balance and not be afraid to seek help.

Q: What message do you have for the youth of South Africa?
A:
Find your passion in life, work hard to achieve your goals and never give up. Once on a flight to Cape Town, there were quiz questions on the monitors – the question was, if you lived to the age of 75, what activity in your life do you spend 23 years on. I cannot remember all the options, but the answer was sleep. It made an impression on me because I love to sleep, and neuroscience has revealed how important sleep is for maintaining good health. But this made me wonder, if I slept for 23 years, how much time do I spend on other activities? So, I did a rough calculation and realised that one spends almost a similar number of years working. The moral of the story is that it is imperative to discover the best career path or paths for yourself, as this will translate into being truly fulfilled and happy for many years of your life while at the same time making a meaningful contribution to society.

- Author Martie Meyer

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