Graphic novel shows unconventional routes into science

A new graphic novel titled 'Becoming a Scientist' has been released, showcasing the unique and unconventional journeys of individuals who have pursued careers in science. This book is specifically designed for young adult readers and is the brainchild of Professor Adrian Liston from the University of Cambridge, with illustrations provided by Yulia Lapko, who works as a business administrator in the pathology department. The cover of the graphic novel features a striking illustration of three women scientists engaged in their work in a laboratory setting. Both Professor Liston and Yulia Lapko have fascinating personal stories that reflect the theme of the book. Professor Liston was raised in a family that operated a truck-driving business in Australia, and he was expected to follow in that tradition. On the other hand, Yulia Lapko fled her home country of Ukraine in 2022 due to the ongoing conflict caused by the invasion. Professor Liston shared that during his childhood, he was unaware of what a scientist was, and he hopes that the stories presented in the graphic novel will highlight the various pathways that can lead to a career in science. The book narrates the experiences of twelve members of the Liston-Dooley lab, who focus their research on the immune system and tissue pathology. This is not Professor Liston's first foray into writing; he has previously authored books aimed at younger children, such as 'All about Coronavirus,' 'Battle Robots of the Blood,' and 'Maya’s Marvellous Medicine. ' However, 'Becoming a Scientist' is targeted at an older audience, specifically those aged between 12 and 18 years. The graphic novel delves into the personal stories of how each team member arrived at their scientific careers. Professor Liston remarked, 'It was really luck more than anything else that allowed me to fall into the career I have today. ' He noted that as he observed the remarkable individuals in his lab, he recognized that each one had a unique story of overcoming obstacles to enter the field of science. The book features three women, Magda Ali, Ntombizodwa Makuyana, and Amy Dashwood, who were selected as models for the cover illustration. Professor Liston candidly admits that he did not grow up with the expectation of becoming a scientist. He explained, 'I grew up in a truck-driving family in Australia. My parents didn't get the chance to finish high school, and the only jobs I heard about were driving trucks or working on the factory line building cars. ' He further added, 'I never met a scientist. Actually, if I hadn't been inspired by the weekly nature documentary on TV, I'd never have known being a scientist was possible. ' Watching these nature programs sparked his interest in pursuing a scientific education. He described his time at university as a transformative experience, stating, 'Sure, there was class snobbery, but I was also able to find my group who were weird like me. ' Professor Liston expressed his desire to see more young people with determination and creativity seriously consider science as a potential career. He emphasized that his team at Cambridge exemplifies the diversity that exists within the scientific community. Each member has their own story of overcoming adversity, their own role models, and their own motivations, which collectively demonstrate that science can be accessible to anyone. Magda Ali is one of the inspiring stories featured in the graphic novel. She is currently pursuing her PhD at Cambridge University. Her parents immigrated to the UK as refugees from Somalia, and despite attending a school where few students even took A-levels, she persevered in her studies and continued to chase her dream of becoming a scientist. Another compelling story is that of Alvaro Hernandez, who faced significant challenges in his early education. He failed his school entrance tests in Peru at the age of five and was initially more focused on playing football than on academics. Reflecting on his journey, he stated, 'I think my early teachers would be surprised to see me in Cambridge. ' Yulia Lapko, the illustrator of the graphic novel, came to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme after the invasion of her homeland. Before the war, she had been working as an artist, but upon arriving in Cambridge, she decided to take a full-time job to establish a sense of security and stability. Now that she feels more settled, she is eager to explore the possibilities of her artistic talents. Yulia expressed her passion for drawing people, noting that she sees the scientists featured in the book on a daily basis, which allows her to capture their essence in a way that feels authentic and effortless. She remarked, 'It’s one thing to see what people look like and the other is to really see them, to know the story behind each individual. ' Professor Liston concluded by stating, 'It is guts and heart rather than brains that lead to scientific breakthroughs, and every discovery worth making happens from a team.