I make a point of going to lectures on subjects about which I know nothing, reading papers over my head, thinking of crazy ideas and seeing if 1) someone thought of them before, 2) they might actually work, and 3) that the idea was incredibly stupid.
Eventually it all becomes familiar.
Professionally I wear several hats, and the science part of it is to suggest to primary researchers how to employ advanced analytical tools in support of drug development, mostly around mass spec. This requires a working knowledge of molecular biology and biochemistry.
It's actually a very fascinating job, so fascinating that I'm disinterested in retiring, although I suppose I could do so. Nobody in my company wants me to retire; in fact they gave me a bonus to not retire.
I have had the privilege of participating in the development of medications that saved people's lives, lots of lives, literally millions of lives. At the end of my life, there is no better feeling than to have had that opportunity. I was not a prime researcher, but I was a cog in the machine that brought these medications to pharmacy shelves.
It really doesn't get better than that.
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