I recently made the tough decision to abandon the research project I started two years ago. The interdisciplinary nature of the biophysical problem I was investigating initially appealed to me. I knew that if I answered key questions, new avenues, both scientifically and professionally, would open. But I also understood from the beginning that working on the frontier meant a high risk of failure.
Until a couple of months ago, the problem remained elusive. Even after that, the data we were generating only showed a few hints of a phenomenon, not definite evidence something was happening.
So, finally, I was confronted with the decision to continue or to switch to another project. Even though I am quite tenacious, I made this decision fast. A new project means the opportunity to dive into a subject in which more knowledge and experience is available.
I have friends who were reluctant to change in a similar situation. Yet I am not unhappy. After all, I learned a lot, especially how to seek out and talk to researchers in other disciplines and assemble pieces of information into a whole. A new project offers new challenges and opportunities. I like a white piece of paper that waits to be filled with new concepts.
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Angerer, P. Changing directions. Nature 431, 612 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nj7008-612a
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nj7008-612a