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My name is Heidi Schigt. I was born on 20 October 1994 in a town called Warnsveld. I am currently working as a PhD candidate on the topic of Kenny-Caffey syndrome at the department of Molecular Physiology.
Where do you live?
I live by myself in a small studio in Nijmegen, at walking distance from the Goffert park.
When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? Can you tell us something about your childhood years?
As a kid I never really had a clear idea of what I wanted to be, but I have always been very interested in language and art. I do remember considering becoming a writer. When I finished primary school, as a goodbye I wrote a whole story to my teacher by hand, which hurt. I doubt he ever read it. I guess science is a bit far off from all this, but at least I still get to write and teach Adobe Illustrator.
What was your previous academic training, where did you study and why did you choose that study/those studies?
I studied Molecular Life Sciences at Radboud University, because I was interested in both biology and chemistry, but not so much in physics. I liked how broad the study was and that it gave me time to try things out to discover whether I wanted to go more into biology or chemistry. In the end I decided on biology, leaving the footsteps of my oldest brother who studied chemistry at the same university.
Which of your research discoveries are you most proud of?
I have to say this question is a bit confronting as I am just now in the process of getting my first paper approved, which only contains negative data. But negative data > no data.
What is your most important scientific challenge in the coming 5 years?
Understanding more about the role of a protein called FAM111A in calcium and magnesium homeostasis and the pathogenesis of Kenny-Caffey syndrome type 2.
What is your favorite topic: molecules - patients - population?
Molecules.
What should be changed / improved in the scientific community?
Perhaps knowledge of statistics, as I find this is something challenging to most biology researchers (myself included), but very important.
Is there anything we can wake you up for in the middle of the night?
Maybe to travel somewhere, like Iceland or Scotland. Although the risk is all yours because I can be very grumpy when waking up.
What is the thing that irritates you most?
When people wake me up in the middle of the night for reasons other than traveling.
Who would you like to have dinner with, if you had the chance?
My boyfriend, who lives in another country.
How do you relax from the demanding job of being a scientist?
When coming home late I like to just sit on the couch with dinner watching Netflix. Other than that, I really have too many hobbies for my own good. I like playing the keyboard, drawing, painting, reading, writing, crafting, hiking, biking, playing boardgames, trying out beers, traveling, building things with LEGO, …
Do you have a tip for our most junior scientists?
Don’t worry if things are moving slowly at the beginning, this is normal!
Please add a photo which represents a remarkable event or experience you were part of? Please explain.
Here I am near one of the small waterfalls in the jungle of Iguazú. Iguazú is definitely the most beautiful place I have ever been to, and we were lucky to see not only coatis, lizards, salamanders, vultures and plush-crested jays up close, but also a toucan and a group of black capuchin monkeys!
