"Five questions and one cafézinho" with Jessica Oyie

1. Brazil Centre: How did the research stay at the University of Münster contributed to your research, to your scientific trajectory?

Jessica Oyie: In relation to my research project, I have been able to learn many new techniques during my research stay in Münster, which are not accessible to me here (at UNIFESP). Regarding my professional profile, I have managed to publish a review article. Moreover, the results that I obtained there at the university (UM) as part of my PhD sandwich have contributed in a broad way not only to answering the research question of my project, but also publishing another article and enriching my CV for a scientific career.
I have also the gained experience in the lab because the experiments that I used to do here at the university (UNIFESP) were performed in Germany in a different way. This was very good, because I ended up looking at the same experiment in a different way, which contributed to my critical sense as a researcher.
Still regarding the results obtained during the research stay it is also important for me to say that they also led me to think about a larger research project, so I thought about continuing the research bringing new answers in the context of a post-doc. I discussed it with my host professor Martin Götte, and he liked the idea so much that we worked out a new project together. Now, I am planning to return to Münster maybe next year, after having completed my PhD studies.

2. Brazil Centre: Did you face difficulties in this experience? Justify or suppose the “yes” or “no answer, please.

Jessica Oyie: Well, in the beginning I had difficulties, but precisely due to the reason that the same technique was done in a different way. When I work in the lab, I do the same experiment repeatedly and it becomes very mechanical. When I was in another lab where people did the same experiment in a different way, it helped me to think critically about it, because it stopped being mechanical. I had difficulties because of that, but that was at the very beginning. But then I started to develop this ability to think about how to do the experiment in a different way without having the same reagents, instruments or conditions as here (UNIFESP). In the end, it was a good thing.

3. Brazil Centre: how did this research stay affect your personal life?

Jessica Oyie: Yes, this research stay gave me more courage, because I ended up leaving my comfort zone and going to a place where I did not know anyone, with a very different culture. Therefore, it gave me more courage to face the obstacles, the difficulties that come up, because you know that it will work out, that you will get through it.
Besides, this experience made me more tolerant. Because from the moment you arrive in a different culture, you have to be tolerant, because the person is in their culture. On a personal level, it made me more tolerant with people, with their ways and their habits. And it also changed the way I think about Brazil itself. I started to look at Brazil differently, I started to see the strongest qualities of this country as well. I went away and started to see how great it is here (Brazil), too.

4. Brazil Centre: Would you recommend this experience to others? Why?

Jessica Oyie: Yes, I would recommend it. I even arrived here telling all my friends that they need to go abroad for a while, because this experience has changed me as a person, my professional life. It makes you more tolerant. This experience of courage is very powerful. Leaving your comfort zone and going to a "foreign" place. It makes you stronger, so I would recommend it. I say that I have even changed physically, emotionally, mentally. I think it is a very good experience.

5. Brazil Centre: Lost or found in translation? Can you translate this experience with a word, a sentence or a quote?

Jessica Oyie: I guess with the word that I used most in this interview: courage. But it's also about dreams, because a dream that I had planned a long time ago has become true. That's it: courage and dream.

Brazil Centre: Shall we go over to our cafézinho moment?

Jessica Oyie: Sure, I already have my coffee ready here.

Brazil Centre: The "cafézinho moment" is the moment when you can feel free to tell us a an anecdote, a blunder or a remarkable story about your experience in Münster. In short, a story that one tell over a cup of coffee.

Jessica Oyie: Yes, my favourite story is that I got to know the snow. When I arrived in Germany, I asked all the people if it snowed in the city. And people always said that it doesn’t snow much snow in Münster, that it hadn't snowed for a long time and that it probably wouldn't snow that winter. Even before the weekend when it snowed, people said: "it won't snow, it doesn't snow here". So I decided to plan a trip, in order experience snow somewhere else. But I received a letter saying that because of the visa and the lockdown I was not allowed to leave Germany. But then, two days after my birthday, on 17 January, the first snow fell! It wasn't much, but it was snow and for me it was already perfect. Some time later it snowed so much that I couldn't walk, that I fell, that I could build a snowman. It was wonderful.
I have many stories... may I tell one more?

Brazil Centre: Definitely. We certainly allow a cafézinho bonus.

Jessica Oyie: I have a story from the laboratory. When I arrived at the lab, there was a door that said "Büro". I kept thinking: "But who is this person? Because the name was on the door, right? So I kept thinking: "but who is this person?” One day, we were talking over coffee in the lab, and I said, "gee, but where is Büro? He never shows up, I haven't met him yet". Then, they explained the meaning of "office", the reason of the sign on the door and that it is not a person (laughs!)

Brazil Centre: Thank you very much for your testimonial and congratulations for the successful experience you had at the UM. We are also glad to have had you here. We wish you all the best for your professional and personal future. See you in your post-doc phase!