Mei Lin Neo
BIO
Senior Research Fellow in marine ecology (Singapore), TEDEx speaker, mom of two girls.
Twitter: @MeilinNeo
Instagram: @clamscientist
Blog: www.meilin5giantclam.wordpress.com
MEI LIN
“I don’t have to be perfect, I just have to try and trying is enough”
As a young child, I have always been curious about Nature and the myriad of biodiversity. It was no surprise that I would take up an environmental science degree in the University, which led me to my current career as a marine ecologist.
My work as a marine ecologist requires me to spend a lot of my time at sea conducting surveys and collecting samples. The work can be tiring as we wake up at odd hours to be in the field, but it always brings me an adrenaline rush to head out and discover what is out there. It’s been nearly 15 years since I had decided to pursue an academic career in marine science, and I’ve not looked back since.
When I first found out that I was pregnant, I remember feeling anxious and fearful as I wondered how I was going to still be able to do field work. Can I still be a marine scientist that couldn’t be effective in the field? That was when I found Mothers in Science, where I learnt a whole new spectrum of challenges faced by STEM moms.
While volunteering with Mothers in Science, I could relate a lot of my personal challenges with the other mothers. I was constantly overwhelmed by mom guilt for not being able to give 100% of my time and attention to my first child, while juggling my research work as a scientist.
The initial months after the birth of my child, I felt utterly lost on how to reconcile my identities as a scientist and mother. It did not help that the COVID pandemic struck shortly, where I was doing both childcare and research at the same time within the confines of our home, like the many parents around the world.
Amid feeling the challenges of becoming a mother through this pandemic, I also found my tribe such as my family, friends, work colleagues, as well as my team at Mothers in Science. With their help, advice, and reassurances, I was able to accept my shortcomings and my strengths when it comes to raising my child and working as a scientist.