Thread by @adriaexists

Big thanks to @snsf_ch and @unifr for increasing the status of PRIMA grantees to assistant professor (non tenure-track) status, similar to @UZH_ch and @unibern. This means so much in human terms. A thread🧵 1/6

Back in 2018, shortly after I first learned that I received a PRIMA grant that would allow me to start my own lab, my wonderful husband gave me a plaque for my desk that said “Prof. Adria C. LeBoeuf,” what I had worked so hard towards. 2/6

But around the same time, in my interactions with HR I discovered that as the first cohort with this new type of grant, I wouldn’t have a professor title, in spite of leading an independent research group. The gift was bittersweet and collected dust for about 2.5 years. 3/6

While of course this is a non-TT asst. prof position, and there’s a long way to Prof. it makes a huge difference, emotionally to finally be recognized administratively. 4/6

Today when I got the news that we’d been granted Asst. prof’ship status, I was injecting ants with an awesome bachelor student Romy, who is pioneering a cutting edge and adventurous project. I shared my joy. 5/6

While I was in a meeting a bit later, she left me a little surprise. Heartwarming and gratifying! So thanks again to @snsf_ch and @unifr for making it happen! And thanks Romy for seeing how much it means as #WomenInScience 6/6