Biopharma student Elizabete on how she balances it all
Balancing lab reports, lectures, and late-night study sessions is no mean feat, but 24-year-old Elizabete Barsevska is also busy raising her two-year-old son. For the fourth-year Biopharmaceutical Science student at DkIT, motherhood has only served to increase her commitment to her studies.
“My son is the most important part of my life and my motivation to succeed, Elizabete says.” If anything, becoming a parent at the start of my course has really strengthened my time management, sense of responsibility and drive to do well in my studies.”
Having done extensive research to find the right course for her, it was DkIT’s practical approach that led Elizabete there.
“I’ve always learned best by doing,” she says, “the course offered me a balance, giving me the flexibility to explore different scientific fields, opening up a range of jobs in the future. “
Although she has enjoyed most of her modules Elizabete was especially drawn to Microbiology, and found that the close connection between lectures and practical classes in Biotechnology really helped bring the subject to life and deepen her understanding.
Beyond theory, Elizabete has built a strong foundation in laboratory practice, from core techniques like pipetting and immunoassays to molecular methods such as PCR — skills that she can apply in a real-world context.
“PCR was something I kept hearing about during COVID-19,” she reflects. “Now I don’t just understand it, I can do it myself!”
Groupwork and problem solving are key skills that Elizabete feels she has really advanced through her course.
“You constantly work with different people which is essential. When you go out to work you are going to meet different personalities and you have to get on with the job.”
In addition to doing your research and attending Open Days, she recommends studying something you are really passionate about.
“I believe that to succeed, you really need to like your course, otherwise it'll be hard to stay motivated.”
She also emphasises that you may not enjoy absolutely every module or find some more difficult, and that’s natural.
Her love for science shines through and she wants to encourage more people to follow their passion and take the leap to the labs.
“The main thing is to be fascinated by science and to be really excited about it. If it’s something you love, take the risk, study and enjoy it!”
Having completed a summer work placement in DkIT’s Smooth Muscle Research Centre (SMRC), Elizabete is driven by the possibility of contributing to future therapies and discoveries. She has her sights firmly set on pursuing a PhD in this area, working with the team to better understand smooth muscle function and to identify therapeutic targets and design novel treatments for conditions such as COPD, overactive bladder and erectile dysfunction.