Our interviewee is Danilo Četić, a Research Assistant from the Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP), Serbia. Danilo is a member of the Serbian Biochemical Society, a FEBS Constituent Society.
What motivated you to pursue a career in science? Why did you choose this field?
Honestly, for as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a scientist. Choosing my field was a bit difficult, but I think I was most influenced by an excellent Chemistry teacher in elementary school, followed by excellent Biology teachers in high school. The choice for me was between Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, two fairly similar fields, but in the end I decided to go for Biochemistry because of my lack of interest for some mandatory Molecular Biology courses.
Briefly introduce your research topic. What is the purpose of your research?
My research revolves around human transferrin, a serum glycoprotein involved in iron metabolism, and the effects of glyco-oxidative stress (for example, present in diabetes) on its structure and function. Also, apart from my PhD thesis, I do protein purification on the AKTA Avant 150 FPLC at my Institute.
What excites you most about your work or research?
Since my research is focused on a fairly common disease and its effects on an important protein in the human body, the most exciting part of my work is the possibility of helping discover new ways of helping all the people suffering from diabetes (and hopefully other people suffering from glyco-oxidative/oxidative stress-inducing diseases).
Among all the scientific discoveries of all time, which is your favorite? Why?
Weirdly enough, even though I am a biochemist, nuclear fusion is the most exciting scientific topic for me, as it could provide so much good to the world if it is harnessed properly.
What do you do as a scientist to make your work interesting and accessible to the public?
Unfortunately, there isn't much of a platform for scientific accessibility in Serbia, but whenever I am asked about what I do I always explain it in an interesting and easy-to-understand way.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you have hobbies?
I have been fencing for more than 20 years, and I even represented Serbia at the Olympic Qualification Event in 2016 in Prague. Apart from that, I love trying new foods and also playing video games.
How did you learn about the FEBS Junior Section? What motivated you to become a member?
I learned about it from my colleague Isidora, who was a FEBS Junior Section member before me. My motivation for joining FEBS Junior Section was primarily to get to know young scientists from different countries and learn about them and what they do.
What is the importance of getting involved in FEBS Junior Section activities for students and young scientists?
I find networking to be the most important thing that FEBS Junior Section provides. Apart from that, you can learn the importance of soft skills that students/young scientists do not necessarily have or even know about.
What advice would you give to aspiring students/scientists?
Do not dismiss any knowledge or wisdom imparted to you by your professors/superiors, ALWAYS think critically and discuss your issues/findings with other people with different backgrounds.
Where do you see your career going next?
Hopefully, after finishing my PhD, I will get the opportunity to go for a post-doc abroad, although I have not yet decided where I would like to go. Long-term, I hope to stay in science, but I cannot say if that will be the case.
Photo by Jonathan Falcon on Unsplash.