Mikhaela Neequaye (she/her) is a British-Ghanaian researcher, currently working as a Research Assistant at John Innes Centre (Norwich, UK). She is working on regulation of plant-pollinator interactions in the lab of Dr Kelsey Byers.
Mikhaela’s plant science journey so far
Mikhaela was born in Ghana and moved to the UK as a child. She completed her undergraduate degree in Genetics at the University of Leicester, before moving to Norwich to complete her PhD co-supervised by Professor Richard Mithen – then based at the Quadram Institute and Professor Lars Østergaard – then based at the John Innes Centre. During this time, she studied the genetic regulation of accumulation of phytonutrients in broccoli, part of this work led to Mikhaela receiving the Rosalind Franklin Society Award for her work coordinating the UKs first regulated CRISPR field trial in collaboration with colleagues at the John Innes Centre.
Mikhaela has been on a dynamic journey since finishing her PhD. After passing her viva in 2020, she was ready to set off to start a postdoc aboard, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to a change of plans. Mikhaela describes this as “the catalyst for a career re-calibration, in which I took odd jobs in everything the from high-throughput genotyping and cleaning toilets to dipping a toe into industry through my role at 2Blades.” Towards the end of 2020, Mikhaela landed her current role helping Dr Kelsey Byers establish their new lab and, in her words, has been “thriving ever since.”
In her role as a Research Assistant, her role requires her to cover a range of tasks including training and mentoring new lab members, managing her own projects, keeping the lab running smoothly “and everything in-between”. She also prepares manuscripts, contributes to grant proposals and presents her work. Mikhaela says her work “requires a broad skillset and the trade-off is never having the same day twice. I love it”.
The importance of mentors
Mikhaela highlights the importance of having mentors, and says that for her, a good mentor “does not have to be more “senior” or of the same background to provide great mentorship. Some of the best mentorship I have received has been from my peers, particularly the women around me as we have taken on our journeys alongside each other. A good mentor is empathetic, encouraging, and honest”.
Praising her PhD supervisor Professor Lars Østergaard. She credits him for the confidence she has now as a scientist. She notes that “it can be very easy to slip into the imposter syndrome, for all of us, let alone those of us from historically marginalised backgrounds” and particularly recognises her current mentor, Dr Kelsey Byers who “has put a tremendous amount of faith in me and I strive every day to do justice to that”.
The future of plant science
Mikhaela emphasises the importance of positive representation and the role it plays in shaping the future of plant sciences. She highlights the Black in Plant Science UK network as an organisation tht gives her hope for the future of the field. She says “I feel honoured to be a part of this remarkable ensemble of plant scientists from across the field as well as the country”.