Oona Liedes

Background

About Oona Liedes

When I was young, my dream was to be a veterinarian or an actress. Such an odd combination! As the years went by, I worked as a salesperson, when my interest in my childhood dream came alive again. I started taking biology courses at the open university with the aim of passing the entrance examination in veterinary medicine. I studied more and more biology and suddenly I realized that I was in the university studying biology, not veterinary medicine. In summer 2019 I graduated from university with a Master of Science degree in genetics. I love biology and research. Why? Because of the wide and challenging nature of it. It is never too easy, and you can always learn something new. I have spent several hours in the laboratory, studying complex but fascinating genetics of Neurospora crassa and Finnhorse. I have also done fieldwork. Back to the beginning… I don’t think my childhood dream jobs are so strange combination. I think they reflect me as a person and my interests. I’m hungry for knowledge and I’m constantly learning because I never settle. I’m a good problem solver because I don’t give up when faced with challenges and I’m always trying to find the best solution. On the other hand, I like performing and working with people. I think that sharing ideas with other people is very rewarding. Because of these things, my degree also includes studies in education and human resource management. In addition to biology, my passion is dogs. I have three dogs at home with whom I spend my free time. I have not yet given up on my dream of being a veterinarian. Maybe one day I will be veterinarian and spend my retirement abroad volunteering to help rescue animals. But before that, I want to explore the field of biology more.