I'll start. You haven't posted a character so I assume I don't have to ask a question for the first post ?
Hippolyte chuckled, enjoying the interview-like tone of the question.
" I started at a lower position. I'm not born from some scientist parent famous enough for their kids to basically inherit a laboratory head rank and, not to help on that, I was a self-taught at first. As a youth, I had to teach myself some very complicated topics, and to work my way through some laboratories to get the adequate material to do my own research. I even had to work under the leadership of some more experienced scientists for a few years. But I hated not being able to choose my own projects, and not being able to dispose of the funds at my will. Thus, I did my best to publish some really good results and to make myself known enough to prove my worth to the scientist community, and especially to the current lab head. When he retired, I had yet proven that I was good enough both as a scientist and as a leader to take his place. See, everyone can access highly ranked places if they work their way through it, no matter your background. You just need enough will."