We talked toJavier Antón Salvador, a student of the Master’s Degree in Biomedical Biotechnology and recently appointed“Best student of the ETSEAMN”.This award was granted by the Social Council of the UPV in the XXII Edition of its awards.
- Good morning, first of all we would like to get to know you better so we ask you to introduce yourself to your colleagues, who is Javier Antón Salvador?
Well, I come from Teruel, where I spent almost all my life except these last years. As a child I loved animals, especially reptiles, and fossils, naturally being a child in the city of Dinópolis.
My interest in science and its application in health came later, especially sincea large part of my family are healthcare workers in one way or another.That’s why I decided to go to Valencia to study a degree in Biotechnology. I have always been a bit shy and it took me a while to adapt to life in a bigger city, but by the end of the year I was able to adapt to life in a bigger city.I am very grateful to my family, to all my colleagues and friends, both recent and distant, for helping me to integrate into my life.I am very grateful for the time we have spent together and for the wonderful people they are.
Many of my colleagues come to mind who, for a thousand reasons, perhaps deserve this recognition as much as I do or more, and it is to them that I would like to dedicate it.
- You have recently been awarded as the best student of the ETSEAMN by the Social Council of the UPV, what does this recognition mean to you?
I must say that I am very excited to receive this recognition, as I am very proud to have received it.hese years have been ones of hard work, stress and dedication, and I am deeply grateful for it.. However, I must say that it ismany of my colleagues come to mind who, for a thousand reasons, perhaps deserve this recognition as much or more than I do,and it is to them that I would like to dedicate it. Finally, a thousand thanks to my family for putting up with me and helping me all these years.
- You have a degree in Biotechnology and you are currently doing a master’s degree in “Medical Biotechnology”, what advice would you give to students who are starting this career next year?
The first thing I would tell them is that neither the bachelor’s nor the master’s degree is a race to get to the working world, as things get more complicated the closer you get to the end.I recommend you to take your time to discover what you are passionate about, inside or outside the world of science, to be able to combine your personal life and take care of your mental well-being.. Also, don’t be fooled by people who tell you that you won’t get anywhere if you don’t do such and such, or if you don’t get x grade. They will eventually find their way. Oh, and good luck!
At the moment I want to do a doctoral thesis after finishing my master’s degree, in the Oncogenic Signaling group of the Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe.
- Where do you want to direct your professional future?
It is complicated to plan in the long term and in the end things never go as you want them to. At the moment I want to do a doctoral thesis after finishing my master’s degree, in the Oncogenic Signaling group at the Príncipe Felipe Research Center. I hope this experience will help me decide what the next step will be.Then… Do a BIR? a postdoc? go to a company?….
My biggest personal challenge has always been dealing with my own expectations of myself, being able to balance my mental health and also dedicating myself to my studies.
- What is your biggest challenge on a personal level?
My biggest personal challenge has always been to deal with my own expectations of myself, to be able to balance my mental health and also to be very dedicated to my studies without getting burned out and losing the desire to learn.
- Moving on to a more personal and relaxed side, what slogan or phrase would you say?is it an inspiration for you?
To be honest I have never been a person of motivational phrases or big idols or aspirations. I just think I’m quite a perfectionist and I like to focus on the things I do, move forward and in a moment be able to enjoy a happy and peaceful life, surrounded by the people I love.I think it will be much easier to find a motivational phrase on Google than asking me.
- Will Elon Musk kill Twitter or will the opposite happen?
Beyond the little number there will be large teams of skilled people who are the ones who really run Twitter, so I think it will stay afloat. One thing that will certainly not happen is that Twitter will end up with Elon Musk.
If Twitter disappears, I think I will live a little happier without it..
- If Twitter disappears, will you switch to Mastodon?
If Twitter disappears, I think I will live a little happier without it.really.
- Pizza, with or without pineapple?
Let everyone enjoy pizza as they like, with or without pineapple. I adapt.
- In winter, socks to sleep in?
Of course.
- Vacations, sea or mountain?
The sea makes me dizzy, the sun burns me, the sand is horrible. Mountain always, no doubt,especially in summer.
- Finally, coffee, black or with milk?
I’ve never had much coffee, so definitely with milk.