Postdoc Spotlight
This new series highlights accomplished postdocs working at UNC. We get to know the person behind the work.
Meet: Margeaux Wetendorf Marbrey
How are you?
Tired? I could use a nap!
Please introduce yourself. What should the world know about Margeaux Wetendorf?
I changed my name after I got married last year! My name is Margeaux Wetendorf Marbrey. I have been a postdoc at UNC for 5 years! Wowza!!! And I’m still here, ha! I’m crazy, independent, and usually quite stubborn. I’m a sociable introvert and value quiet time :) I also enjoy long walks on the beach and deep ocean dives.
What is your current research? What do you like most about it and how do you feel it contributes to the bigger picture?
My current research focuses on understanding the reproductive implications of maternal e-cigarette usage during pregnancy. In short, I’m investigating whether vaping is bad for pregnancy and the growth of the fetus. I like the novelty and the obscurity of my project. Since most of the work is new, you feel like you are at this spectacular mountain precipice, but the outcome could be really cool or really lame. That is the terrifying part! My studies particularly excite me because I have the potential to identify novel regulators of embryo implantation that can be targeted to treat implantation failure and infertility.
How did you get interested in science?
Since I can remember, I have always been fascinated with the physical world. From the minute details on a leaf to the vastness of the open sky, I was always drawn to science. In high school, I developed an insatiable desire surrounding introductory Molecular Biology. I was such a nerd, I would borrow text books from the library to learn more. What a nutcase!! For me, attending college was extremely exciting, but working in the laboratory was the epitome of “cool”. I had wanted to work in a laboratory and do research since I first knew what it was. I had a sweet cloning project with some complex genetic recombineering and I became hooked! Tweaking DNA to eventually make my very own genetically unique mouse model was just too cool! My only issue in college was that I would become frustrated as my classes never addressed laboratory techniques. My PI told me that’s what graduate school was for and I guess it just naturally happened.
We are living through unprecedented times. How have the last 1.5 years been for you?
It’s been weird for sure. It started out horrible as I had to cancel my wedding a month before the date. I moved in with my husband and we have spent the first year and a half of our married life together under Covid conditions. We’ve worn masks, quarantined, waited out test results, been afraid for our lives on multiple occasions, suffered through vaccine-induced fevers, and skipped many social and holiday functions. Despite all that junk, we have also grown in love for one another and haven’t murdered one another in the process! (#couplegoals) In all seriousness, the pandemic really made me appreciate what I had. Family and great friends and my faith in God. If it wasn’t for my Savior, Jesus Christ, I wouldn’t be here. Indeed, I would say despite all the Covid mess, I thrived. Despite my wedding being cancelled, I still thrived. Experiments delayed, building access denied? I still thrived. I completed a large experiment during Covid that required me to be present at work daily for 8 weeks. I was able to read up on current literature, write a draft of a review, and submit a K99/R00 grant that was successfully funded. Surprisingly, I even lost weight! So yes, Covid was bad on many levels, but I was able to remain positive and productive thanks to God!
What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career so far? As a senior postdoc, what advice do you have for new postdocs?
I think balance is CRITICAL to success! I used to believe that the harder you worked, the better the outcome and results. But working hard often leads to burnout, disorganization, and depression. Instead, to live and work in balance, mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, you become the best version of yourself and your work reflects that. Sometimes you need to take a walking break before you write the best paragraph of your life! But if you never take that break, you may never know your full potential…As I think about the next phase of my career and managing people, I realize the importance of prioritizing people and their work environment, so that they can be their best and produce quality work. I know this is not everyone’s philosophy and often times working hard does result in more productivity, but at what cost? My advice is to think about where you are emotionally, spiritually, physically, mentally. Are you content with where you are? Are you willing to make a change or even sacrifice in your daily life (and demanding job) to better yourself and the quality of your work? Remember, although you have a supervisor, you are a postdoc, an independent entity, and you need to be selfish and make decisions for your progress, well-being, and professional development. If that means you say “no” to people or things or participate in a time-consuming internship or workshop, so be it. It’s your life, so own it! You are not a graduate student anymore. For the newbies, hang in there, it could be a bumpy journey! Don’t be afraid to try new things. Also, don’t spend extra time in your postdoc if you don’t have to! If you want to do something outside academia, prioritize finding a job, not publishing that paper. Good luck!
Postdoc life can be all-consuming… but how do you spend your free time?
I exercise a lot for stress relief. I also scuba dive as often as my budget allows. Additionally, I am involved in Bible Study Fellowship and teach students about the Bible. I picked up crocheting Amigurumi a few years ago too. I would encourage others to develop multiple hobbies to free their mind and also avoid screens! Experience life, go to concerts, museums, and explore the outdoors! Also, having a tight friend group is an absolute must! Find your what I call, “Friday Night Friends”, the ones you can be yourself around and they don’t judge you. Choose wisely, because these friends, as much as you influence them, they influence you.
What three books (current or past) had an impact on you, or could you recommend to read?
As a high school student, I totally loved The Double Helix by Watson before understanding his true colors. The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence has been a re-read for me and almost an anthem for my life. The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller helped me understand the purpose of our earthly relationships, singleness, and marriage. For entertaining reads, I’m a super fan of Gillian Flynn and often enjoy some Sophie Kinsella for light-hearted laughs.
How would you describe your overall experience at UNC so far? What are your likes and dislikes, highlights and lowlights?
Oh, I love it here! People are so collaborative and nice. The faculty and the trainees are all super helpful. There is definitely a community vibe or feel. This may be specific to my department, however. I just feel like people are not out to get you, they are here to help you succeed. I like that. However, I do think UNC has a lot to improve upon to make more of an inclusive community and to provide more training opportunities and networks for postdocs, but not every institution is perfect!
In your opinion, what are the coolest things postdocs should experience while at UNC and living in the Triangle area?
Eat all the fooood! Then go back and eat it again! Biscuits and pho and sushi and steak and fried chickennn! Definitely go to the beach and to the mountains! Since we live in the Triangle you can hit up the beach and the mountains, preferably not in one day, but it’s possible!!! There’s also some really cool venues for the arts including the Raleigh Art Museum, 21c Gallery, DPAC, and NC Opera in Raleigh. The farmer’s markets are some of the best in the land too!! I love seeing and supporting local farmers. Also, there are plenty of great trails for biking and running and walking! Get out and explore!
Do you have any career resources you have been referring to during your postdoc? If so, please share them.
Try to go to as many meetings/seminars/workshops that you can. When I first started my postdoc, I was concerned that academia may not be the best route for me. There are so many different and great options now! One of the best ways to find out about these job opportunities and descriptions is to hear from others on panels and workshops. I found myself attending a lot of workshops to just hit the mental checklist in my brain to delineate what I liked and didn’t like. These workshops were great confirmation for me to stay in academia because I knew I was not attracted to the other opportunities. I participated in OPA/PDA events, but I also did a lot of TIBBS activities. I would suggest to do all of the TIBBS things because who doesn’t love pumpkin carving, free sushi, and Easter egg hunts and gingerbread house building contests?? Sometimes you just need to let loose and decorate a cookie after that horrible experiment! They also have great training and professional development workshops. If you want a specific event, they will welcome you on their advisory board to execute your dream event and give you money to do it! TIBBS is also the foot in the door for the greatest workshops and seminars available to you at NIEHS/NIH. Most trainees often overlook the NIEHS workshops, but they have been the most influential for me in my postdoc. I attended a Management Bootcamp two day workshop that taught me a lot about myself and managing others on a team. Also, the NIEHS grant writing workshop definitely prepared me for the NIH grant writing process. If you have the opportunity, sign up for these workshops fast because they have limited spots for UNC attendees.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I hope to be in an academic faculty position. By then, I may be seeking tenure? Quite terrifying, actually.
What’s left to achieve on your bucket list?
- Finally obtain a faculty position in academia
- Become a licensed SCUBA Divemaster and Instructor.
- Develop a therapeutic and/or invention that improves fertility/pregnancy and alleviates maternal burden
If you would like to participate in the Postdoc Spotlight series, or would like to nominate a candidate, please email your suggestions to UNCPDA@gmail.com!
