He Yu, a Pharmacokinetics MSc graduate and PhD student, discusses her journey at Aston University
He Yu is an MSc Pharmacokinetics graduate and final year Pharmacokinetics PhD student at Aston University. She goes into why she chose Aston, how her skillset has developed as a scientist, and the support she has received on the way.
Why Aston?
My major for my bachelor's degree was in Pharmaceutics and after graduation, I was extremely interested in pharmacokinetics. Aston University is the only institution providing this specialisation at the MSc level, and thus, fate led me here and I've never felt any regret with my decision. After the trainings, I was able to write essays, reports and case studies. However, I was not satisfied - I wanted to reach the highest level of research and I was curious about life as a PhD student with the ability to publish articles in journals.
Every time I struggled during my PhD, my parents would ask me whether I had regrets or not. The answer is, and will be always, no. This is my choice and I am so grateful that my curiosity has let me see more in this world. The experience of the PhD led me to see this world from a totally different perspective and made me a different person.
Aston is an amazing and irreplaceable university. If you ask me, why "Aston?" I would ask "Why not?" This is a paradise for anyone who wants to accomplish something. All the lecturers, researchers professors, staff, and technicians are here to help people with their dreams. For me, Aston is the best, and I hope I can make Aston feel proud in the future.
During the period of my MSc, my supervisor Dr. Raj Badhan was the best supervisor and after he realised my plan to pursue a PhD, he offered me a great deal of help. I also met Dr. William Fraser and other outstanding researchers.
What's going on now?
Recently, I was designated as one of the 2023 Outstanding Early Career Scientists by the editors of JPharmSci and the American Pharmacists Association. This is for people publishing their most original and significant scientific findings in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (JPharmSci®).
This recognition gave me the strength and confidence to do research in the future. Even though I have not started the new stage as an independent researcher, I feel admitted by the professional field of pharmacy research. This means a lot to me as a PhD student. The four years of pursuing a doctorate were amazing, my ability to handle urgent things and accept failure was extensively promoted.
I feel excited about what will happen in the future, and the researcher I am going to be in the future.
Course highlights
The MSc offered me a chance to be better. I see it as the foundation of my future. As an international student, the language barrier is something I face daily, but using English and communicating with people from across the world made me feel excited. For the PhD, I took some essential and compulsory training which I enjoyed. Aston offers so much and coming to the university was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Advice for students and alumni.
Don't hesitate, trust yourself and be the master of your life! Whenever the life stage you are in, ignore all the restrictions you set for yourself. Know yourself and discover your potential as far as you can. Finally, you will be the person you want.
Aston will be your best support, but you are the one driving the boat
What was the best thing about being a student in Birmingham?
How close everything is, Aston is located in the city centre so everything is within walking distance or you can make use of the transport links. There are so many good food places to enjoy.