Hidden struggles: Cambridge scientists share the truth behind their success

(Press-News.org) Hidden behind every successful career story is the reality that progression isn’t often a smooth and easy path. Rejections, setbacks, and the doubts they seed are rarely shared - leaving us to believe that they don’t happen to other people the way they happen to us.

Adrian Liston, Professor of Pathology at the University of Cambridge, mentors hundreds of scientists early in their careers, and repeatedly hears them worry that they’re not up to the task. He has decided it’s time to share the truth behind the career of every successful scientist.

In a new book, published today (30 January 2026) and available to buy online, Liston has brought together personal tales from past and present members of his lab group - including himself - that reveal the insecurities and fears felt by scientists at various stages of their careers.

“I'd love it if people got inspiration from some of these stories,” said Liston. “But the most important thing is that people realise they're not alone when they’re doubting their abilities - it’s a common part of the scientific experience, you just learn to deal with it.”  

Some of the stories he shares are inspirational: written by people who overcame seemingly insurmountable challenges to become scientists, from chronic health issues to restrictive cultural norms. Others are contributed by people earlier in their careers who are still grappling with doubts about their abilities - but refuse to give up.

Liston’s experience is in biomedical sciences, but he suspects the problem of self-doubt is much more widely experienced. Like everyone else, he’s had his share of challenges and failures. Unlike others, he and his fellow scientists are willing to share them.

“Science is a very weird career in that we’re judged entirely on those rare successful days, the journal publications, which might come after years of failure. From the outside, people simply look at our successful days and celebrate those,” said Liston.

He added: “But a scientific career is all about trying to understand the unknown, and 95% of the time our experiments will fail. This can be very disorientating when all you see of other people is their success.”

Among those who share their personal stories in the book are:

Dr James Dooley, Research Professor, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge.

Following a childhood of mental and physical abuse, Dooley lived in foster care for over a decade, and slept rough on the streets of Seattle, before trying to get into college without having finished high school.

“I want to show people that you can come from a place where you don't have any advantages in life and still be successful. While my doubts and desire to be invisible have become quieter over time, they’ve never fully gone away. But now I know how to keep going in spite of them.”

Dr Ntombizodwa Makuyana, Postdoctoral Scientist, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge

Makuyana grew up in rural Zimbabwe and was expected to prioritise learning how to run a house, in preparation for marriage, over her education. But at school she became fascinated by science and resolved to forge a different future for herself. Her drive to change her situation led to opportunities she’d never even known existed.

“The majority of my female friends got married before we finished secondary school - it's just how society is where I come from. I want young girls to know that you don’t have to give in to your doubts. You can challenge yourself and be much more than people expect of you.”

Stavroula Piliou, PhD student, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge

Following a family move to the UK from Greece when she was young, Piliou’s poor English meant she struggled at school, and later, the challenge of dealing with a chronic autoimmune condition pushed her to question her ability to follow a scientific path. Yet she absolutely refuses to quit.

“I think it’s important not to let your disability or your background define you. Being diagnosed with a chronic condition can make young people think they need to stop working, or can’t achieve their dreams. I still regularly ask myself if I can do this, but it’s very important not to quit. I can still achieve great things and contribute to society.”

Dr Lydia Makaroff, Chief Executive, Multiple Sclerosis International Federation

Makaroff says when she was finally awarded PhD, that moment of success hid a drawn-out struggle – with an unsupportive supervisor, lack of research funding, and minimal guidance on her work. Her move to a new lab in a different country, and the camaraderie she found there, helped her realise that self-doubt was actually a strength in a scientific career.

“We keep self-doubt to ourselves because we think it's a sign of weakness, or it means we’re not suited to science. But people carry their own insecurities, and often project them outward. When someone tells you that you fall short, it may say as much about their own fears as about your work.”

 

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