Jinx!

A*STAR has always wanted their scholars to bring change. Being one myself, I would like to do that too. Unfortunately so far, the changes I brought are not what A*STAR has in mind.

As uncanny as it seems, I am a jinx to researchers. I did 3 research stints so far. One at IMCB last year, one at MRC in London during term time and the one I am doing now at IMRE. During the research attachment in London, my mentor quitted her job, leaving the lab on the same day as me. It did not come as a shock to me then, as she opened up to me the week before she resigned that she did not like the work environment. This time round, at IMRE, my mentor resigned on my first day. I didn’t know I had that effect. I did feel that it could be coincidental, since it is just 2 out of 3 times. Luckily my mentor from IMCB did not quit when I was under her. Yet, the unexpected happen. When I visited my IMCB mentor yesterday, I received the news that tomorrow would be her last day of work. Is this really coincidental or what? Either I am a jinx, or the turnover rate in research is extremely high.

In fact, come to think about it, researchers are not the only ones I jinx. The touch rugby coach I had in JC was sacked by my school after a particular slapping event. My rugby coach in college was sacked by the team because he was inefficient in our trainings. Both teams I had joined, both times there had been traumatic changes.

And of course the list goes on, if I look hard enough. Mere coincidences they can be, but I would like to think that I bring changes. Negative or positive, who cares?