Discover Your Research Identity

Who am I at this moment? Figuring out my research identity

“The search for identity is the ongoing struggle to arrest or slow down the flow, to solidify the fluid, to give form to the formless.”
– Zygmunt Bauman (2000)

Our research identity is about how we see ourselves, and how others see us. As we go through university and beyond, we slowly figure out what we’re really interested in, what we value, and what’s worth putting our time into. This usually happens where our passion and skills meet, and often with the help of a good mentor. But it’s not always clear: What should we focus on? Which questions are really worth answering?

To help explore this, I looked at the journeys of two scientists, Prof. Leonard Zon and Assistant Prof. Li Li—to see how they found their way.
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Undergrads: Trying things out

Things really start in Undergrads. It’s a time to explore. We take all sorts of classes and try different experiences, and over time, we start to find what we like (or don’t). Some people know their path early. Others figure it out slowly. Our undergrad experience really depends on the program. Some are very hands-on with long internships, others are more focused on theory. Usually, it ends with a short research project under a supervisor. This is often our first real research experience. It's good to try different areas. Most PIs didn’t always know exactly what they wanted to do, Prof. Zon actually thought he’d be a community pediatrician, ‘hanging up a shingle’ at first. 

Prof. Li started by studying human fetal germ cell development using next-generation sequencing, then moved into single-cell multi-omic lineage tracing methods in mice. Now, she’s developing epigenome labeling and perturbation tools to decode tissue biology. 
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Graduate or medical school: Things get real

When we move on to grad school, masters or med school, everything starts feeling more serious, and more complicated. We start to understand how big and mysterious our field really is. Good teachers make a big difference here. This is also when we begin learning how to present and talk about our research, whether it’s in class, a thesis, or a seminar.

Mentorship becomes super important. A great mentor can help guide your whole path. Prof. Zon was once told by a mentor that if he wanted to be an academic hematologist, he should move to Boston. That advice changed his life. He later joined a top residency program with another mentor’s encouragement.

At this point, a big question comes up: Should we do a PhD? It’s a big decision, it takes years and a lot of commitment.
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PhD Life: Owning Your Work

During the PhD, things shift, you start to really “own” your research. You’re not just following instructions anymore. You’re creating something new. That’s exciting, but it can also feel like a lot. The field is huge, and sometimes it’s hard to find your place, especially if you're the first in your family or community to take this path.

Having a helpful, supportive supervisor (or PI) can make a big difference. They can help you decide what’s worth studying, and what direction to take your career. Ideally, they become a mentor, someone who’s passionate, helpful, and focused on your strengths. Lab meetings can be very different depending on the lab. Some are more formal, others focus on basic knowledge or recent papers, and some are more relaxed and great for sharing ideas and having open conversations. These moments help us learn how to communicate well and remind us how important mentors are. Prof. Zon still talks to his mentors regularly. 

 

Talking with other researchers also helps. You start to figure out if leading your own lab one day is something you want. Watching people you admire, whether they’re scientists or great speakers can be inspiring.
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Postdoc: Focus and Growth

When your PhD is over, it can be hard to move on, you’ve invested so much time. But what now? Should you join a new lab where you’ll work mostly on your own? That’s one way to grow independence. Or maybe you stick with the same topic, continuing what you started. By now, you probably have a clearer sense of what you enjoy and care about. Your postdoc is the time to dive deeper and specialize in something you really love.

By the time you finish your postdoc, it's a good idea to sit down with your PI and start working on a research proposal. Prof. Zon tells his students to sum up their research in just two words, something like “developmental hematopoiesis”, “rare variants”, “macrophage tracing”, or “HSC production”. The goal is to come up with a new angle or even a whole new field.

Do you already know what your two words are? Probably not, and that’s okay. Even if you think you do, the real clarity usually comes later, when you're sitting at your own desk, in your own office, trying to put it all together while writing your grant proposal. That’s when it really starts to take shape. 

 
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Becoming a PI: Ready or not?

Eventually, we all wonder: Am I good enough to lead a lab? Was it my PI that is responsible for my success? These doubts are normal. Imposter syndrome is real. Sometimes you don’t feel like you belong, especially if you’re between two fields or cultures.

Prof. Li Li said something important: every big decision comes with some uncertainty. She felt lost at first in new topics, but she found that systematically studying relevant literature and consulting with experts helps.

Are your papers enough to prove your potential? Well, yes, and no. It’s not just about how much you publish, but about your drive to make a difference. Prof. Zon always asks: How can I change the world?
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What a scientist becomes

At first, you focus mostly on doing research. Later, your role shifts, you’re teaching, mentoring, and finding funding. Prof. Li Li believes two things really matter:

1. A genuine passion for solving biological problems or technical challenges, and
2. Building a unique expertise—either through deep specialization or by combining insights from different fields.

Adapting fast and learning new stuff isn’t easy, but it’s necessary.

Prof. Zon once had to choose between two trending topics at a big conference. Hot topics get attention, and sometimes, they’re the ones that open new doors.

 
Many doctors choose topics linked to diseases they see daily. That way, their research and clinical work feed into each other.

It's also key to know who you're talking to, whether you’re applying for grants, giving a talk, or hiring new people.
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Wrapping up

What makes this whole path worth it is how meaningful it feels. Research can be deeply personal and satisfying, even if we don’t all end up leading labs. What really matters is the journey, full of learning, growth, and discovery.

Blog post contributed by Anne Stolz (X:@AnneStolz2, Bluesky:@annes23.bsky.social) of the ISEH New Investigators Committee.

Please note that the statements made by Simply Blood authors are their own views and not necessarily the views of ISEH. ISEH disclaims any or all liability arising from any author's statements or materials.