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"I felt that it was time to return, now that Portugal was changing and giving us much better conditions, [and] that we should contribute to the development of the country," says Bruno Silva-Santos.

"Generally, I find that people are attracted to enthusiasm if it's unfettered and for the right reasons," says Hendrik Poinar, director of McMaster University's Ancient DNA Laboratory.

"Suzanne is one of the hardest working scientists I know." --Patrick Phillips

Sandrine Etienne-Manneville "knew exactly what she was doing, where the project was going, and what needed to be done," says former postdoc supervisor Alan Hall.

"Andrea treats me like someone who’s intelligent enough to run a laboratory experiment by himself, but she’s always there for questions. She’ll have a long conversation with a former student who’s visiting from med school, or talk to us about our futures, or hang out and discuss TV. She’s your friend, and she cares about you." --Matthew Mansh

"We are trying to define new syndromes and new diseases in human genetics," says M.D.-Ph.D. Heather Mefford.

"As I look back at my busy life, I would not have been happy giving up either—career or family," says Margaret Dalzwell Lowman.

Every year the program scours the nation for eight talented students of color, who have at least a junior standing in college and who are pondering marine science careers.

"Scientists are always focused on experiments, gaining knowledge, but there is the human side that you need to be exposed to early on." -Anton Wutz

The transition to graduate school required her to learn how to handle family and financial issues, while also keeping up with her studies and research.

"Programs should provide all NRSA trainees with additional professional development skills and career guidance."

"This choice was more practical because you try to build up a career, and if you do what people are already doing, you need to be very good, but also lucky, to make it," says Edwin Cuppen.

“I’d like to be here [longer]. But now my wife and my baby are in Japan, so I have to go back.”

Azevedo strongly advises other postdocs to start applying even if they feel it is too early in their career.

A rewarding career awaits those who can stand up to the field's fast pace and considerable demands.

Your personal statement should clearly express your understanding of what graduate school is about and how the graduate degree will build upon your previous experiences toward the attainment of your career goals.

Asked to assess the programs, the panel threw up its hands.

“In the last 15 years, I had some good intuition that I always made sure I followed up on,” says Pierre Dutilleul, an applied statistician at McGillUniversity.

Her past experiences helped her realize the importance of being a scientist and a mentor, and she currently uses her expertise to help manage natural resources and to bring women and minorities, especially Native Americans, into science.

"RISE wants all students, especially the ones who think they can't do it or aren't sure [about a career in science]." --Robyn Hannigan