Women in Science Celebration: Interview with Dr Rana Moubarak

Please, tell us a little bit about yourself:

I am currently an Instructor from the Department of Pathology at NYU Langone. Born and raised in Lebanon, I performed my Ph.D. in Biology at Sorbonne Université and Institut Pasteur in Paris, followed by a postdoctoral training in Barcelona. I moved to New York in 2013 and have been focused on a deeper understanding of epigenetic mechanisms favoring the survival and invasiveness of cancer cells, as well as the potential use of epigenetic regulators as therapeutic targets. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, attending the ballet, long walks/runs in Central Park and spending time with my friends and loved ones.

"Let go of feeling guilty when you are not working 24/7."

In your opinion, what is the best way to maintain work-life balance?

The best way to maintain work-life balance is to let go of feeling guilty when we are not working 24/7. Only then will it be possible to enjoy great moments in our personal life, which will have wonderful repercussions on our professional productivity and overall positive attitude.

"I wish there was more awareness that women can be extremely successful juggling both, as long as they don’t submit to unrealistic expectations - self-imposed or not - to be “perfect at everything”."

What are your thoughts on the pressure that women face in having to make a choice between starting a family and progressing their career?

That pressure is difficult to deal with and imposed both by the workplace and society. When I was a PhD student, it was acceptable to joke about pregnancy as an April fool’s joke to play on your supervisor, as if you were giving him/her the worst news of their lifetime. Fortunately, this attitude is unacceptable these days, although we still have a long way to go when it comes to unconscious biases. I would say that starting a family and progressing in our career should be considered as two very unrelated and extremely personal decisions. I wish there was more awareness that women can be extremely successful juggling both, as long as they don’t submit to unrealistic expectations - self-imposed or not - to be “perfect at everything”. In my opinion, choosing an excellent support system formed by the life partner who is the right person for you, family and friends is the choice that matters the most!

"Nothing beats the rush I feel when a student/trainee of mine is successful, enjoying what they are doing and achieving their goals."

What are the things that keep you motivated in your everyday life? Do you have any daily ritual that helps you stay consistently motivated and balanced?

What motivates me every day is having the sensation that I am doing something meaningful, and having a positive impact on people surrounding me, both in professional and personal settings. Nothing beats the rush I feel when a student/trainee of mine is successful, enjoying what they are doing and achieving their goals. My morning workouts help me stay motivated, balanced and energized, and I feel their positive impact on my day.

"Feeling appreciated in the workplace and not taken for granted are crucial to persevere in a career path that is often paved with difficulties."

What advice would you give yourself if you were starting your career today? What would you say to encourage other women to persevere in their career path?

If I were starting my career today, I would choose positions where a clear professional development plan is defined and would not shy away from asking the hard questions.
I would encourage women to be comfortable with asking for what they need and negotiating without worrying about how they would come off. Feeling appreciated in the workplace and not taken for granted are crucial to persevere in a career path that is often paved with difficulties.