Women's History Month - Alice Yuen

Alice Yuen, Postdoctoral Research Associate 

What is your current role

I am a postdoctoral research associate in Dr Ben Steventon’s laboratory.

When did you start with the department

I joined the Department of Genetics in December 2022. I was so excited about the role that I started the day after my PhD viva in London!

How did you get started in science

I grew up in North London, close to the now-demolished Mill Hill labs. Back when I was still deciding on my A-levels, my sister attended a local school and we used to pick her up after school by car. One day, on our way to her school, I noticed the name ‘National Institute for Medical Research’ plastered over this humbly monumental building that hid behind security gates. Filled with curiosity, I researched online and discovered that the institute offered funded summer placements for sixth-form pupils to experience working in a scientific laboratory. I successfully applied for a bursary later that year and simply fell in love with laboratory research. Meeting PhD students working at the institute inspired me to pursue the same career path.

What are you currently working on

I fell in love with developmental biology during my undergraduate studies. I was fascinated by the way embryonic cells transform, step-by-step, into the complexity that makes entire organisms. I love watching cells go about their day under the microscope, and I have always wondered: how do cells know what to do? My current work involves generating time-lapse movies of pescoids, which are zebrafish embryo-derived cell aggregates that I can grow in a dish, to observe different cell behaviours. By experimenting with the shapes and sizes of pescoids, I aim to understand how tissue geometry influences cell behaviours during embryonic development.  

I am also on the department’s Events Committee and am involved in organising social events such as the ‘Labathon’, where I run a series of science-related games to facilitate interactions across the department, as well as the ‘Life of PI’ seminar series, where I invite group leaders to share their insights and experiences from their PhD journeys. I enjoy making attractive flyers to advertise these events. I also crochet soft toys for newly graduating PhD students in my lab to celebrate their hard work!

What has been a defining moment in your career

My life changed when I learnt that growth comes with embracing discomfort. I was initially hesitant about applying for the sixth-former summer bursary – having to find my feet in a place where I did not know anyone and then publicly present my findings at the end of the placement – it all seemed terrifying to me! Only, the curiosity was so overwhelming that somehow I found the courage. When it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made, I realised what a powerful combination it is to be both nosy and brave. By being brave, you create new opportunities and carve new paths. In this sense, I think that every instance of courage I have shown has marked a crucial moment in my career.

What are your future goals, for yourself or for women in science

I am very much enjoying being a part of the Steventon group right now. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we are all very passionate about developmental biology and eager to learn from each other. The collaborative and fun-loving nature of the laboratory provides me with a safe space and many opportunities to practise being a good listener, teacher and leader. I am also picking up many skills from serving on organising committees and coming up with new ways to inject my creativity and my love for designing into my work. My plan is to keep growing in my current space so that, one day, I will be able to bring together all my expertise, in science and in art, to create something new and exciting. I am grateful for the way the science community has inspired me and led me to where I am now – I would love nothing more than to give back and build a nurturing place that enables more young people to join the adventure!