When Science Reminds You Why You Fell in Love With It
Thoughts from a journal club that restored my faith in the long game
You know those moments when you're reminded why you chose this path? The Historic Readings and Great Discoveries journal club at Rockefeller University was exactly that—one of those experiences that cuts through the noise of publish-or-perish pressure and imposter syndrome to show what science really looks like when it's done right.
Journal clubs are a familiar rhythm in academic life: we gather to discuss a paper, debate methods, and reflect on what the work means for the field. But every so often, these gatherings spark something more personal — a reminder of why we do science in the first place.
This week, at the journal club, I found myself leaving not just with notes on a paper, but with a deeper sense of what persistence, passion, and quiet dedication can look like in practice.
I walked into that room thinking about deadlines and grant applications. I walked out thinking about Dr. Svetlana Mojsov.
Here's what happened, and why it matters for anyone trying to make sense of what it means to build a life in research.
The Experience That Deepened My Perspective
Attending the journal club was an inspiring experience. I left with a renewed appreciation for the role of curiosity and passion in science — how progress is rarely linear, and how true breakthroughs often emerge after decades of quiet, focused work.
I was reminded that persistence can matter more than following a traditional career path, and that depth and careful thinking are far more valuable than chasing quick or prestigious results.
I was especially moved by Dr. Svetlana Mojsov, a soft-spoken woman with a mighty mind whose discovery of GLP-1 transformed our understanding of glucose metabolism. Working in a male-dominated field and outside the bounds of academic prestige, she remained devoted to her question — guided by passion, curiosity, and an extraordinary ability to recognize patterns others could not see.
“Her story was a powerful reminder that the heart of science lies not only in its findings, but in the people who pursue them with relentless passion and integrity.”
What This Means for All of Us
What I took away from my time at the journal club is a sense of empowerment and a strengthened philosophy: good science takes time, care, and precision — and when approached this way, it will always stand the test of time.
For me, moments like these are what make the behind-the-scenes of research so meaningful. Science is built not only on data and results, but on the persistence and humanity of those who carry questions forward, year after year.
These are the conversations that don't happen enough in our field—the ones that remind us that behind every breakthrough that seems to appear overnight, there are often decades of someone asking the right questions, even when no one else understood why they mattered.
“Science, it is messy and nonlinear and sometimes lonely work. But maybe that's exactly the point.”
Your Turn
What moments have reminded you why you chose your path? I'd love to hear about them in the comments.