Valerie Chai, PhD

We’d love to hear about your academic journey, what drives you, and why you were excited to pursue a career in Microbiology and Molecular biology!
During my high school years in China, I had the excellent opportunity to study math, physics, chemistry, and biology. My school, the top one in the province, provided fantastic resources, including microscopes, that enhanced our learning experience. One of my favorite memories is when we dissected frogs and rabbits—it was ‘incredibly exciting’! I also remember the enjoyment of staining chromosomes, even if I can’t recall which organism we used. I loved diving into these activities and was proud to be the only student in my class who was able see the stained chromosomes. At that time, I thought, this is much more fun than math! 

Many biology questions remained unanswered, making it an exciting field to explore! It was challenging when I applied to college due to the limited availability of biology majors. Given the few slots for academically strong students, I felt incredibly fortunate when the prestigious microbiology department at a respected institution accepted me without requiring me to take the National College Entrance Exam. They even said, ‘‘We would love to have you; no entrance exam necessary!’’ I truly appreciated the opportunity to complete a three-month internship in Beijing at the leading institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Microbiology. While there, I was introduced to molecular biology and learned how to run DNA gels and perform restriction digestion. This hands-on experience ignited my passion for understanding how DNA works. After earning my degree in microbiology, I applied to Cornell's microbiology program and was accepted. My PhD advisor specialized in microbiology, focusing on a more molecular approach to understanding the mechanisms of transcription regulation in bacteria, which is part of molecular biology.

We’re excited to hear about your experiences with your mentors! Who has been your biggest inspiration in pursuing your career interests? 
As a student in China, I had little understanding of how to approach science, conduct research, pose questions, address those questions, formulate hypotheses, and troubleshoot various aspects. My PhD advisor, Dr. Valley J. Stewart, and his training provided me with these skills, making him the most significant influence in my scientific journey. He taught me a lot, from troubleshooting experiments and being critical of our own data, to giving credit to other people who contributed to the research. Another important influence was one of my committee members, who briefly became my postdoc advisor. In my final year of graduate work, Dr. Stewart moved to California. Due to family reasons, I couldn't move with him, so I had to find a new thesis home. One very gracious committee member (Dr. Bik-Kwoon Tye) allowed me to complete my thesis work in her lab. While I was working on my thesis work, I was exposed to eukaryotic DNA replication initiation field the Tye lab was focusing on. I interacted with everyone in the lab, participated in their seminars and journal clubs, and did some additional work after finishing my PhD experiments in her lab. She is fun but takes science very seriously. She always said, ‘Believe in yourself’ and ‘Believe in your data.’ Stay confident and have conviction.

Have you encountered any challenges in your career journey that you'd like to share with us? 
Leading a lab poses challenges. As a postdoc, your focus should be on research and publishing findings without the burden of other responsibilities. However, becoming an independent principal investigator (PI) requires securing grants while managing the lab, starting with personnel hiring. There’s no formal training on effective hiring or candidate evaluation. An impressive resume doesn't guarantee a good fit in your lab. Consequently, you must learn and adapt as a PI. Training is also crucial; everyone I've hired lacked experience in genome stability or telomere biology, requiring additional training. We face pressure to publish quickly to support grant applications. ‘Efficient time management’ and ‘prioritizing key tasks’ are essential. Serving on committees and attending meetings is also important. While focusing solely on lab work seems appealing, engaging in meetings helps you stay updated on new research and build a strong network.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the gender gap in science! Could you please share your valuable advice with young women passionate about pursuing careers in STEM fields? Your insights and experiences could greatly empower and inspire future generations of women.
There's no intention to frighten anyone, especially women. Many female investigators navigate their journeys alongside motherhood, juggling children in a race against time that presents unique challenges. While men encounter their pressures, only a mother can truly comprehend this. ‘If you’re passionate about science, chase it!’ It can lead to a fulfilling life. Stepping away might ease stress temporarily but can leave you unfulfilled in the long run. Considering that people generally live around 85 years or longer and spend the first 30 years in education, finding your dream job by age 35 means you have 40 to 50 years of potential happiness ahead. Think about what life could be like if you choose not to pursue your passions after your children grow up. ‘Everyone has a purpose; it’s about discovering yours!’

The challenges can be managed by seeking support from family and friends to help raise your child and participate in his/her activities. It's essential to engage in their lives while also maintaining your own. First, you should ‘make time for yourself’; second, you should ‘use your time more effectively’. For instance, when I took my daughter to piano class, I would sit in her class, reading or writing my grants and papers. Being a scientist and an independent investigator is a significant commitment, and work hours must extend beyond the typical nine-to-five. Finally, you need to ‘prepare things well in advance,’ as you know the importance of ‘not waiting until the last minute’ because anything can happen. There will be emergencies—situations we never anticipated; unexpected events can arise that we never imagined. So, if you prepare yourself well, you'll be better equipped to handle the unexpected.

What hobbies do you have, and what are your future goals? Would you like to share anything else with us?
I used to be competitive in badminton, but an injury many years ago stopped me from continuing the sport. I enjoy hiking, though since the Chicago area doesn’t offer the same level of trails as the Pacific Northwest, I stay physically active by regularly going to the gym.

I will do my best to keep running a productive and well-funded research lab, and to build up the Center of Genetic Diseases and eventually make it one of the prominent research centers on studying genetic diseases in the nation.