Dr Joe Sallmen recently joined Innogen on secondment from The John Innes Centre in Norwich, where he is a postdoctoral researcher. Following his undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh, he obtained a PhD in Molecular Microbiology under the supervision of Professor Joseph R. McCormick at Duquesne University. He tells us all about his experience on the BBSRC Flexible Talent Mobility Scheme.
- What are you working on at The John Innes Centre?
I’m carrying out research in the laboratory of Susan Schlimpert. My work focuses on understanding how bacterial cells grow and divide. I’m interested in identifying and characterizing the factors that are important for cell division in a particular group of bacteria called actinobacteria. This group comprises highly diverse microbes, ranging from ones that cause disease, such as tuberculosis, to ones that produce medically relevant compounds, such as antibiotics. Understanding how this complex group of bacteria grow could provide new strategies for the treatment of disease.
- Why did you apply for the BBSRC Flexible Talent Mobility (FTMA) Scheme?
I was interested in the BBSRC FTMA Scheme for two main reasons. First, I’ve always thought that scientists should take a more active role in public discourse, helping to shape public policy by communicating relevant data and using rigorous analysis that enables evidence-based decision making. Second, I think that we need to be open to diversifying our skill sets and recognize when we might be able to do good in different areas beyond the laboratory. When I learned about the BBSRC FTMA scheme, I thought it was a good way to start addressing these issues and give me some perspective going forward as I think about the next steps in my career path.
- What have you been working on whilst at Innogen?
I’ve been working on two different projects. The first project with Prof. Chris Warkup was looking at how UK businesses, particularly large businesses, participate in EU framework programmes for research and innovation. With the UK’s status in Horizon Europe in question (at least at the time of writing), we wanted to assess how this could be improved in any new UK Government funding scheme.
The second project with Prof. Joyce Tait involved writing a policy brief on the Engineering Biology sector that describes how it fits into the UK Government’s current Innovation Strategy. The UK Government has recently committed to raising its R&D budget to 2.4% by 2027 and it has also identified Engineering Biology as one of the seven technology families at which the UK excels. Our goal was to highlight the potential of new technologies in this sector and to provide recommendations on how the sector can be best supported. These technologies could help boost the economy and address some of society’s greatest challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security and sustainability.
- How would you describe your experience?
I think the experience has been fantastic. It’s not often you get to step outside of your day job for a few months to develop a new set of skills, knowledge and connections, and be able to come back with a new perspective on things.
I feel like I have learned a lot. The two projects that I worked on were very much out of the normal realm of my expertise. There was a massive amount of information to absorb, just getting acquainted with the names, departments and bureaucracy of science funding and resources in the UK government (let alone, those that relate to the EU for framework programmes), especially as someone who was not well acquainted with this system until recently (I’m originally from the USA). I’ve also learned a considerable amount about new and exciting technologies in Engineering Biology and how the sector has the potential to transform the world’s economy going forward and help us address global challenges.
However, I think the most important part was thinking about ideas and problems in a different way. We were trying to find solutions to problems that aren’t solved by setting up an experiment. I wish that you could just go and setup a PCR and solve biodiversity loss but alas, that is not the case. There was also a lot to think about in terms of how you communicate to different audiences. This is also important when telling the story of your own research. It was a great opportunity to approach different people with different priorities. The experience challenged how I thought about approaching society-wide problems and made me realise how much we can gain from effective public policy for science.
- What will you do next?
I am returning to my primary position as a postdoctoral researcher at The John Innes Centre, but I go back with a lot to think about, particularly in terms of my long-term career goals. I would enthusiastically recommend the BBSRC FTMA scheme. It is a unique, risk-free opportunity to take a step outside of your everyday life and learn something new. It offers the chance to diversify your skill set for your career or develop new skills that may put you on a path to a new career!