For the love of science- Finding my passion: Meet Rachel van Heugten

Posted on September 7, 2018 by Isla Watton

Rachel is a healthcare scientist working for the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust. She works as part of a group using their scientific detective skills to uncover possible genetic causes for a patient’s disease. Before working on humans, Rachel lived in New Zealand where she employed those same skills to help endangered species ranging from mudfish to parakeets. Whatever she is working on, Rachel loves sharing her enthusiasm for science. On the 22nd of September she’ll be at Princesshay Eastgate, Exeter, to share a story filled with giant insects, mystery, adventure, romance and a tiny hero! She hopes you’ll join her.

 

By Rachel van Heugten

I remember sitting in this stuffy lecture hall during my first year of university. Striding back and forth across the front of the room was one of my chemistry lecturers. He gestured widely as he preached about atomic orbitals or… something. What struck me wasn’t what he said, obviously, but how he said it. He overflowed with passion for something he couldn’t even see. I hoped that one day I would find work that filled me with an ounce of that passion. Little did I know, that passion was inside me all along. Horribly cheesy I know but it’s true. I’m Rachel van Heugten and I’m in love with deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA.

Myself and an adorable DNA plushie

For those who haven’t been formally introduced, every living thing is made up of teeny tiny building blocks called cells and each of those cells contains a structure called DNA. DNA is the instructions which tells our cells how to function and how to assemble together into a working body. It is a molecular blueprint. The DNA of each type of plant or animal is different but just like all buildings need walls and a roof, the blueprints of all living things share similarities. The science surrounding DNA is called genetics and scientists, like myself, who work with DNA are called geneticists.

Now, it wasn’t love at first sight. I didn’t lock eyes with an evolution text book and know it was the one. My love grew slowly. Each year of my undergrad I pruned away the subjects I enjoyed least and tended to those I enjoyed most. By my final year I wasn’t sure where I was headed but I knew I wanted to get there with DNA. Luckily, there was no shortage of destinations.

I set off on a tour of my university’s genetics department. Along the way I questioned each of my lecturers on their research, searching for something to fuel my passion. Their answers took me on a journey from “the evolution of early forms of life”, passing by “how bacteria become resistant to drugs” and through onto “the use of genetics in the conservation of endangered animals.”. All of the potential projects tugged at my interest but one in particular took my fancy. The opportunity to combine my passions for genetics and conservation was one not to be missed.

My postgraduate research focused on the conservation of a large native New Zealand insect, the rare Banks Peninsula tree wētā.  My mission was to investigate if this rare insect was interbreeding with the widespread Canterbury tree wētā. Mating with the more common Canterbury wētā would reduce the number of pure Peninsula wētā left and could eventually lead to their extinction.

Holding my first tree wētā

However, questioning an insect about its love life is tricky. Tree wētā in particular are protective of their privacy. They spend their days snug inside tree cavities. Emerging at night, they ascend to the tree tops far from view. Yet somehow, I was meant to survey an area of over 400km2 for evidence of interspecies relations. This looks like a job for genetics!

The DNA of the Banks Peninsula and Canterbury wētā is similar but distinct. By setting up artificial tree cavities, like an insect “bird house”, I could collect a tiny tissue sample from hundreds of wētā across Banks Peninsula. In the lab I crushed up each tissue sample, washing it with a series of different liquids until only the DNA remained. Machines in the laboratory allowed me to detect any differences in the DNA of each insect. By comparing the results to wētā who had a clear identity, I could uncover if an individual was a Banks Peninsula wētā, a Canterbury wētā or a mixture of the two. The results were great news for the future of the rare Banks Peninsula wētā. But what of my future?

Searching for insects on Banks Peninsula, New Zealand

My research’s focus on a rare insect restricted to a small region of a remote island fostered some concern within my extended family. Surely the job market related to my research must be smaller than the insects themselves. I lightly batted away their concerns. My camera might’ve been full of pictures of insects but my science utility belt was loaded with tools for studying DNA. Every single living thing on the planet has DNA. Since my time with insects, I’ve extracted the DNA of pīngao plants, minute mudfish and perishing parakeets. I now find myself working on one of the most widespread species on the planet, humans.

Where I work now, helping to diagnose diseases

Last year I joined a team helping to diagnose diseases using genetics. Your DNA instructs your body on how to grow and function. The instructions are pretty robust and the odd change usually goes unnoticed. However, sometimes a change in the instructions occurs which disrupts how your body usually works, leading to disease. Pin-pointing the exact mistake can help us to determine the risk to other family members, how a person’s symptoms are expected to progress and the best line of treatment or support. While I spend less time out in the sun these days, I’m grateful to genetics for allowing me to continue to do work I find meaningful.

Later this year I’m taking part in the Exeter Soapbox Science. You’ll find me in front of a crowd, arms gesturing widely, speaking passionately about something I cannot see. DNA and I might be past our honeymoon phase but the love’s still there. I love that you can determine if chimpanzees in neighbouring forest patches are related from the DNA they leave on the surface of their droppings. I love that my friends can extract DNA from bones 1000s of years old, to learn about the past and relate it to the present. I love that someone can spit into a tube in Australia, send it around the world and we can tell them why they have diabetes. I love where genetics has taken me so far and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.

If you’re keen to learn more about conservation, genetics and large New Zealand insects then come check out my Soapbox Science talk at Princesshay Eastgate (between Topshop and New Look), Central Exeter on the 22nd of September. I look forward to seeing you there.

If you want to see more science writing by me you can find some here:

Learn about how geneticists helped solve the mystery of a fossilized bird….

Learn more about genetics and evolution with a story from the Valley of Fire…

 

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Scientists are helping the world to be a better place: Meet Roslin Adamson

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Isla Watton

Dr Roslin Adamson (@AdamsonRos), will be taking part in Soapbox Science Oxford on 28th July 2018 with the talk: “One mutant protein, two devastating diseases. Can we cure them both?

 

 

 

 

 

Diamond Light Source, the synchrotron (particle accelerator) in Didcot, where we shoot x-ray beams at our protein crystals

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

RA:My story is a bit unusual. I first did a degree in fine art, but then ended up teaching English in Japan for 8 years. While I was in Japan I became involved in bodybuilding and began reading as much as I could about nutrition, protein synthesis, vitamins, supplements and their effects on the body. However, much of the research was very difficult for me to understand, so I decided I would go back to university to study science. Doing a master’s degree and a PhD just followed naturally. I am now in an area that I really enjoy – protein structure/function, although I no longer lift weights unfortunately, due to an injury.

 

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

RA:I think the most interesting part about my work is the fact that we can “see” molecules on almost an atomic scale! This is mind-boggling to me, aside from how incredibly intricate and perfectly organised the cell and the organism are. The way that the protein machinery in the cell dances this delicate balance between function and dysfunction, and how each protein or protein complex knows what it has to do, and the kind of cellular effects that can occur according to diet and other environmental factors, as well as genetics, is thrilling and almost mystical in its complexity. I also love the clever ways that working with proteins has been approached by past scientists – the methods and techniques that we take for granted today were unheard of and unthought of not so long ago. The advances in biological and medical sciences are incredible, and yet there is still so much to learn …

 

 

Some pictures of protein crystals

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

RA: I am both a scientist and an artist, so I was keen last year to participate in the Art/Science Soapbox Science, where I was teamed up with an artist who interpreted my science work. I enjoyed it so much I decided to participate again this year. SS is an excellent platform for me to share my enthusiasm for science and what we can learn from it with the wider public, and also to show that actually, there are many extremely competent women in science doing amazing things, for which they are frequently not given credit. I fear there is often a sense in people who don’t know about science that scientists are cold and calculating, without ethics, and that what we do is dangerous somehow. Perhaps there have been a tiny minority of cases that could give this impression, but the vast majority of biological scientists I know care very deeply that their work will help people who have the dreaded diseases they are working on, or that they can help the world to be a better place in some way. I think it’s also really important that events like this give children the opportunity to learn about science and to see that scientists come in all shapes and forms. At the SGC, where I work, we do regular school visits to do science with young kids, and they are absolutely fascinated, and super engaged. This is incredibly rewarding.

 

Skeleton of someone with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), one disease I work on.

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

RA: Gosh. Tough one. There’s the funding culture, where it seems the big-name labs with fashionable topics get all the money. Applying for grant funding is soul-destroying, as there really just isn’t enough money to go round, and publication records often trump originality. This obviously has a knock-on effect on people’s livelihoods and jobs. The culture of short fixed-term post-doc contracts with specific and time-limited funding means you never really have any job security, and often, a project just ends when you leave, which seems a waste of resources.

 

 

 

Brain scan of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) the other disease I work on.

SS: What would be your top recommendation to a female PhD student considering pursuing a career in academia?

RA: I would say build up your mental and emotional resilience (which certainly a PhD will do for you!). It is not an easy ride, but then, things worth doing aren’t always easy. Choose a lab/project where you will gain both new skills and also be able to publish reasonably regularly. Start applying for fellowships or other grants as soon as you have enough publications, as later on your ability to get money from funding agencies will be a factor in hiring. Academia has an enormous number of advantages in terms of the relative freedom we have in our studies, but funding really is a crunch line.

 

 

 

 

 

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Working on real world problems: Meet Nicola Bailey

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Isla Watton

Dr Nicola Bailey (@nicolaybailey) is taking part in Soapbox Science Oxford on 28th July 2018 with the talk: “Dr Robot; the future of surgery?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

SS: How did you get to your current position?

NB: I studied mathematics for my undergraduate degree at the University of Nottingham, starting in 2007. During this time, I developed an interest using maths to model complex engineering problems; working on ‘real world problems’ was what really interested me. An undergraduate scholarship led to a research project working on optimising the performance jet engine components. I found this project really rewarding and I was lucky enough to continue with the group for my PhD; this was in partnership with Roll Royce who make the jet engines for many of the commercial airlines.

Although the PhD was hard work, I knew by this point that I wanted to continue doing research so I applied for an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Doctoral Prize which allowed me to make my models more realistic. This prize gave me more independence from my supervisors, which is important for an academic career. By this time, I had been at Nottingham for 8 years and decided it was time to move to a different university to experience a different perspective. So, in 2015 I moved to the University of Bath as a research associate studying precision control of robotic arms. This was a great experience and allowed me to expand into experimental work which was a new and enjoyable addition to my previous research using only simulations. With great support from my manger and mentor I applied for my first lecturer position at Bath and got it! I started the position in 2017 and the past 18 months have been challenging but also very rewarding!

 

 

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

NB: From a young age, I have always been interested in understanding how and why things work as well as designing and building things, from playing with mechano to building a bike to DIY projects at home. Following a career in science has allowed me to look at more complex systems that we encounter in everyday life and push the boundaries of these new technologies, through both theoretical and experimental work.

 

 

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

For myself, the most fascinating aspect of my work is being able to bring to life an idea that I have or research an area of science that I find interesting and feel I can contribute to. My research focuses on improving the performance of new and existing technology. I love seeing my ideas taken from a theoretical concept through to implementation of a fully working mechanism. Last year I had a picture of an automated robotic arm in my head, and now it is fully constructed and moving automatically!

 

 

SS: What attracted you to soapbox science in the first place?

NB: There are a few reasons I wanted to take part in soapbox science but mainly I saw it as a chance to inspire people to follow the career path they want to. Many people’s idea of a mechanical engineer, an engineer or a scientist in a broader sense, is often far from the reality. I really enjoy what I do and if it wasn’t for people showing me from an early age the opportunities that are available in science I may have missed out! When I explain my research, I get asked a lot ‘how do you research Maths? Isn’t everything in Maths known? I hope this opportunity will help answer this question and give people an understanding of the research that can be undertaken! I also hope that I will be able encourage the younger generations to go for the courses, jobs and careers that they want to do and your age, gender or social background doesn’t matter!

 

SS: Sum up in one work your expectations for the day.

NB: Inspirational!

 

 

 

 

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

NB: As an academic, I think science is fantastic work. Universities are great in that they have intelligent and driven individuals at all stages of life. One thing I would love to see would be an equal representation of gender in all fields, and that goes both ways. I believe there are stigmas for women attached to subjects like maths and engineering, just as there are for men in areas wrongly considered the domain of women. To bring balance we need to start at the most fundamental levels, at home and in school. However, vital work is also needed to stop the high rates of attrition we see professionally. I would love for people to follow their interests and do what they want to regardless of their gender, background, or social situation. We are definitely moving in the right direction but there is much more to be done.

I also feel a big problem for scientists is the frequently large gaps they experience between finishing their PhD and obtaining a permanent contract. For example, highly qualified scientists, working at some of the most prestigious institutions in the world are having to repeatedly apply for contracts that can last less than a year. This coupled with the highly stressful politics of grant and paper authorship (lead authorships are essential for survival) can outweigh the benefits of an academic career. This instability, both in a personal and career sense causes us to lose some of the otherwise promising early career researchers.

 

 

SS: What would be your top recommendation to a woman studying for a PhD and considering pursuing a career in academia?

NB: Go for it!

An academic career can be hard work, both while pursing your first lectureship and after having achieved it. You will have to dedicate a lot of time, effort and be willing to put in long hours when you need to, but I would rather have a job I love and that stimulates me than one that is easy! Academia can be very rewarding, for example when your students succeed, you obtain an important/interesting result or get a breakthrough. The advantage of academia is that you have more freedom in research compared to industry jobs, and can manage multiple research projects in different areas which are within your interest.

What worked for me was working consistently, minimising procrastination and too many coffee breaks/late starts. Finding good supervision and mentorship (which was more luck than judgement) was also key to my success.

 

 

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Kids need to see different role models: Meet Anna Veprik

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Isla Watton

Anna Veprik is a researcher in the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics in the University of Oxford. She is trying to understand how various endocrine cells are sensing nutrient availability and translate it to hormone secretion. Meet her at Soapbox Science in Oxford and find out about the role of sugar in our body! Anna Veprik is funded by the Oxford – Novo Nordisk postdoctoral fellowship.

 

 

 

SS: how did you get to your current position?

AV: I am interested for quite a while in the diabetes research. I done my PhD in Israel working on beta cells (the ones that secrete insulin) and was very interested to look at additional cells and tissues involved in diabetes. I won this great fellowship that allows me to do exactly this and to do it in the University of Oxford.

 

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

AV: My Biology teacher. When I started secondary school I was selected to participate in science enrichment program. I got fascinated by the human body and the fact each cell can do so many different thing. My teacher enthusiasm was infectious.

 

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

AV: I have an opportunity to find new things that nobody in the world knows about them yet. If I will be lucky, these findings might translate in the future to treatments that will improve patient lives. And I get to do all this surrounded by amazing people, from all around the world.

 

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

AV: I love talking about science and not just to my fellows in the lab, but also to everybody. I want to share what we learn in the lab with as many people as possible. Moreover, I think there is an urgent need for people, especially kids, to see different role models and to know that they can do whatever they can dream off.

 

SS: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day – excitement? Fear? Thrill? Anticipation?

AV: I am so thrilled. Can’t wait to be there.

 

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

AV: Funding. This is the biggest obstacle. I wish more funding was available, allowing us to focus more on producing a good science and not just chasing for the next grant.

 

SS: What would be your top recommendation to a female PhD student considering pursuing a career in academia?

AV: If you love it, go for it. I can promise it will not be easy, or relaxed but when you see this amazing result, it will worth everything. And just remember, it is a marathon, so you need a lot of patience and a lot of support.

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Scientists shouldn’t be hidden away in their labs all the time: Meet Jacqueline Gill

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Isla Watton

Jacqueline Gill (@jacquigill001), is taking part in Soapbox Science Oxford 2018 with the talk: “The antibiotic apocalypse: How bacteria become antibiotic resistant and why we aren’t finding new antibiotics”

 

 

 

 

 

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research?

JG: I research antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In the past, before we discovered antibiotics, bacterial infections were extremely deadly. Once we had discovered antibiotics in the early 1900s, we were able to use them to treat bacterial infections. However, bacteria have the ability to evolve extremely quickly, which means that over the past 60 years they have evolved the ability to evade antibiotics, and our antibiotic treatments are becoming much less effective. Therefore, research is extremely important!

The most fascinating part for me is how all of this research is being done by so many scientists around the globe, and it is all coming together to try to solve this one problem and prevent it from getting out of our control.

 

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

JG: During my GCSE history, I completed a project on the history of medicine. I was fascinated to hear stories about how scientists throughout history had made ground-breaking discoveries, which had tremendously improved the lives of people around the world. In particular, Lister’s discovery of germs and Jenner’s invention of the vaccine completely transformed public health. I thought that one of the best careers would involve building on these discoveries, and so I decided to pursue a career in science.

 

 

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

JG: I heard about Soapbox Science during the first year of my PhD through OxFEST (Oxford Females in Engineering, Science and Technology), where I organised a conference for female scientists. We heard from some really inspirational speakers who discussed the major challenges facing females in STEM, which opened my eyes to how important it is to make sure females scientists are heard and supported throughout their careers. I’ve always had a keen interest in science outreach and communication, and so during my 3 years at Oxford I’ve been involved in running Oxford Hands-On Science, a student-led science outreach society. We visit schools across the UK, showing kids loads of interactive and hands-on science experiments! It’s always great to see how many of them are interested in the science we have to show them, and that they realise not all scientists are the stereotypical lab-coat-wearing, bushy white-haired male! These experiences have really built up my confidence in talking about science, and hopefully they will help me on my soapbox!!

 

SS: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day – excitement? fear? thrill? anticipation?

JG: Keen!

 

SS: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

JG: Scientists shouldn’t be hidden away in their labs all the time. They should be able to prioritise getting out there and talking to people about science, answering their questions, and showing them what real science actually involves! I’m so lucky that my PI is supportive of my outreach, and I wish that all supervisors and funding bodies would actively encourage scientists to get involved in communicating their research.

 

SS: What would be your top recommendation to a female PhD student considering pursuing a career in academia?

JG: As a female PhD student I can only say go for it! If a career in academia appeals to you, then don’t let anything stop you!

 

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We should be able to share knowledge freely and without fear: Meet Liliana Pedro

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Isla Watton

Liliana Pedro, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases e. V. (DZNE), is taking part in Soapbox Science Munich on Saturday 7th July with the talk: “Looking inside our brain…”

 

 

SS: Why did you choose a scientific career?

LP: When I was little adults would ask me what I wanted to be when I got older, to everyone’s surprise my answer was “I want to be a marine biologist and study Orcas”. Honestly, I think the reason why I even knew what a marine biologist was, was because every Sunday before lunch I would be watching the wild life documentaries. So, in a way I always knew in the back of my mind that I would go for a more scientific career. The idea of that scientific career as changed along the years with my academic formation, scientific projects and internships. I would still like to one day swim with the wales, but I do believe that for my professional career, brain research is the best fit for me.

 

SS: How did you get your current position?

LP: At the moment I am PhD student, but honestly, I did not always wanted to be one. I always loved research and laboratory work: mix some solutions, create a new compound and see the physical evidence that something microscopic is happening; but when I finished my Master I had to face a big decision: do I commit for four years to do a PhD in a single field, knowing that in my country my chances of getting a job will be highly diminished? Or do I stay with my Master’s degree and find a research assistant position and see where that leads me? I went with option number two and found a position in an institute in the UK. After three months I realized that that job was not enough, I needed more independence, a bigger challenge, a say in which direction my research should go. From that moment on the decision was made and I started looking for open PhD positions in Neuroscience.

 

SS: What do you do in your everyday work life?

LP: That is a hard question, as my days are never the same. Maybe a better question would be what is the work of a PhD? You start with one big question and you read a lot of literature hoping it will give you an indication on how you should approach that question. Then you create an hypothesis or model of what you think the answer will be to your question based on the information you read, this will also help you idealize what experiments you can do to answer prove your hypothesis and ultimately answer your question. Finally, you start doing said experiments. As you are doing them and analyzing your results you will realize that some answers are not what you were expecting and they no longer fit the hypothesis you had in mind, this means that you need think of a new hypothesis that makes sense with the results you have. This cycle of creating an hypothesis, doing experiments, analyzing results and creating new hypothesis is the bases of all PhD work. It is never static and it can be quite frustrating, but when you get your hypothesis right it is a wonderful feeling.

 

 

SS: What is the most exciting aspect of your research?

LP: The most exciting aspect of my research is also the most frustrating one: we know very little about our brain. It is exciting because there is still a lot to find, there are still many pieces of the puzzle missing and I always loved solving puzzles. However, it is also frustrating, because when we are constructing our hypothesis we have to assume as correct, a lot of information that we are unsure off or that we only have partial or circumstantial evidence, this increase the chances that your starting hypothesis is wrong and make you go in circles with your experiments.

 

SS: What challenges do you encounter in science?

LP: I believe the biggest challenge is the poor sharing of information between groups. In a perfect world groups should be able to share their knowledge freely and without fear: knowledge about the details of the techniques they are using, knowledge about the failed experiments that they have already tried and knowledge on experiments that are happening right now. I do not know how to make it happen, but I do know that science can develop further and faster when we share our knowledge with our fellow scientists and the public.

The sharing of our scientific knowledge with the public is one of the reasons why I wanted to participate in Soapbox Science Munich. I believe this event is a great initiative and I love the concept. And even though the structure is a bit intimidating (no powerpoint, no slides, just myself), I am super excited to try it out.

 

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I always wanted to know how things worked: Meet Dr Nisha Ramkissoon

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Isla Watton

Dr Nisha K. Ramkissoon, is a planetary scientist working on a project on habitability in the Solar System, which involves recreating planetary environments in the lab and then determining if microbial life live there.  These experiments also enable her to identify any non-biological clues that microbes may leave behind to help us figure out if life exists or existed on bodies like Mars or Europa.

 

You can see Nisha on a soapbox as part of Soapbox Science Milton Keynes on 30th June where she will talk about: “Searching for life, where should we start?”

 

SS: How did you get to your current position?

NR: After completing my bachelor’s degree in earth and planetary science I worked for a few years as a science technician at a secondary school. During this time I also completed a master’s degree and decided I really wanted to work in research.  I completed my PhD at the University of Kent, examining the instantaneous chemical changes that can occur on rocky surfaces when impacted by a meteorite.  Since finishing my PhD I have been working at The Open University on a project that examines habitability in the Solar System.

 

SS: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

NR: I’m not sure there was one thing or a person who inspired me to pursue a career in science.  I always wanted to know how things worked, and would ask a lot of questions and was always trying to learn more about space. In school especially enjoyed learning about the planets and how rock and minerals formed, so I was very happy when I found a degree that covered both subjects.

 

SS: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

NR: My work looks at the possibility of life existing elsewhere in the Solar System, using examples of microbial life that are found on Earth.   To do this we have to simulate the different environments we find on these other planets and satellites in a lab, it’s amazing to think that we can actually do that.

 

SS: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

NR: Soapbox science seemed like a new and interesting way to engage with the public.  The way the event is planned means that you get to talk to people who may not specifically be there to hear about science.  It is also a great way to show people, young girls especially, that anyone can pursue a career in any STEM field they chose to.

 

SS: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day

NR: Excitement!  I’m very excited about talking to people about what I do, and hopefully I’ll get across why I love the subject so much.  I am also very excited to see some of the talks from the other researchers.

 

SS: What would be your top recommendation to a woman studying for a PhD and considering pursuing a career in academia?

NR: I would say to stay positive. As with everything academia has its ups and downs, but if you just stay positive you’ll be able to get through it. On the same note I would also say make sure you take the time to reflect on your achievements on a regular basis.  Sometimes you can find yourself working to one deadline or another, and it is easy to forget about all the amazing things you have done over the

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Closing the communication gap between scientists and non-scientists: Meet Lisa Riedmayr

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Isla Watton

Lisa Riedmayr, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, is taking part in Soapbox Science Munich on 7th July with the talk: “Von der Mutation zur Behandlung – Gentherapie zur Heilung vererbter Blindheit; From mutation to treatment – Gene therapy as a cure for inherited blindness”

 

 

 

 

SS: Why did you choose a scientific career?

LR: I actually got into science quite late. I started studying Biology, because I wanted to become a specialized journalist. During my undergrad studies, I was fascinated by all these tiny molecular processes, all working in a coordinated system and making up a functioning human body. But I was especially amazed by translational research – by people using all this information to reveal pathological mechanisms and develop new therapies for to date untreatable diseases. That was what I wanted to do with my life.

 

SS: How did you get your current position?

LR: After my Bachelor in Biology I applied for the “Graduate School for Systemic Neurosciences” and entered the Fast-track program to be able to start my PhD right away. After completing the preparatory year, I looked for a PhD position in the field of translational research and applied for my current position at the Department of Pharmacy.

 

SS: What do you do in your everyday work life?

LR: I am investigating mutations, which cause retinal diseases like retinitis pigmentosa. First, I “manufacture” genes containing mutations that cause the disease. Then I try to detect the disease mechanism by investigating the effect of the mutations in cells in a petri dish. When I finally now what I am dealing with, I try to prevent the disease mechanism from taking place. I do so by using already established treatment strategies, but also by developing new ones for a more efficient or less invasive therapy.

 

SS: What is the most exciting aspect of your research?

LR: The most exciting aspect is that our research could eventually help people. One day, a drug for patients going blind might be developed on the basis of our research. This is pretty exciting. When I feel like I am losing my motivation, I think about that.

 

SS: What challenges do you encounter in science?

LR: One of the biggest challenges I encounter in science is failed communication. It starts with incomplete communication of data within the scientific community. The reasons for that are quite diverse ranging from limited numbers of words you are allowed to use when describing a method in a journal to no one being interested in publishing your “negative data”. But failed communication also expands to a non-scientific audience. Many scientists do not bother communicating their research to non-scientists as well, which is leading to misperception in the public about important topics like vaccination or climate change.

 

SS: What are your most promising findings in the field?

LR: Well, I just started my scientific career, so I am still trying to make a significant contribution to the field. But we are developing some cool methods in the field of gene therapy right now, which could enable us to prevent blindness in people with different inherited retinal diseases. Let’s hope it works out!

 

SS: What motivates you to give a talk in Soapbox science?

LR: I have two reasons, why I want to give a talk in Soapbox science. First, I want to communicate my research to the public wherever and whenever I can to contribute to closing the communication gap between scientists and non-scientists. Second, I want to motivate young women to start a scientific career as well. We don’t have a lot of female role models in science and I really think we need more of them.

 

SS: Do you have a few words to inspire other female scientists? What can we do to attract more women to STEM fields?

LR: We can show the world that women working in the STEM fields are just as qualified as men and try to motivate young women to follow our lead. All of us can try to be role models ourselves. So let’s show them how it’s done, girls!

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One step at a time, and never give up: Meet Mariana Avezum

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Isla Watton

Mariana Avezum, TU München, is taking part in Soapbox Science Munich on 7th July with the talk:“How will we get to work in 20 years?”

 

 

 

 

 

SS: Why did you choose a scientific career?

MA: To be able to join my research ambitions, while doing some teaching in the process. I really like to investigate new approaches to solve problems,  and working with students is always a very cool way to get in contact with new and creative ideas.

SS: How did you get your current position?

MA: I knew my professor from my classes as a student, and had always done projects at his chair. I thus knew the people there, and knew they were very cool to work with. When I was searching for “What to do next” I simply talked to the professor, showed him some of my previous work, paid him a coffee, and that was that!

SS: What do you do in your everyday work life?

MA: A typical day for me can be separated between teaching meetings, and my own research. For teaching, I am usually in meetings with students, giving them feedback on their work, going through preparations for the next steps, and thinking what could be improved. In my own research, on the other hand, I simulate urban traffic, and try to come up with different ideas how to make urban transport more efficient, such as what would happen if we were to merge everything together. Working on such different projects makes sure that there is never a boring day!

 

SS: What is the most exciting aspect of your research?

MA: Combining different modes of transportation in a single route. Because the most efficient way to get from A to B will never be just about cars, or any single mode, and you will always need to combine different approaches. The fact that the companies working on these are so different from each other, however, makes this integration very hard and interesting, but also presents a huge room for improvement.

SS: What challenges do you encounter in science?

MA: Mobility research can very quickly become very sensitive, and thus, data privacy is a huge concern. You need to make sure that when you are analyzing how to optimize a route from A to B, you don’t keep any confidential data in places it shouldn’t be, and that the user is always in control.

SS: What motivates you to give a talk in Soapbox science?

MA: A friend told me it would be cool! I also like motivating other people to join and stay in STEM, and hearing about the work that other scientists do is always very inspiring!

 

SS: Do you have a few words to inspire other female scientists? What can we do to attract more women to STEM fields?

MA: One step at a time, and never give up. Things are usually more doable than they seem, and perseverance goes a long way in making things actually work out. If you give up, you pass the message to other girls to do the same, and that’s never the correct answer. I know it seems like the men achieve things more easily, but the truth of it is, is that they simply hide their insecurities better. We all get lost sometimes.

 

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Solving Puzzles: Meet Maria Spletter

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Isla Watton

Dr Maria Spletter is a researcher based at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, who will be taking part in Soapbox Science Munich on  Saturday 7th July 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

SS: Why did you choose a scientific career?

MS: I have always been drawn towards science. I made my first plant taxonomy book with my Grandma when I was 4. My parents got me a real microscope (not just one of the pocket ones) when I was 10. Just for fun I would observe plants or pond water samples. My family always supported and promoted my curiosity, and so it was just natural to pursue a degree and then a career in scientific research.

SS: How did you get your current position?

MS: I did my postdoc at the Max Planck for Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany. I established connections with the university and when I started to apply for positions, I also sought out a group at the LMU that could host me for an Emmy Nother application (start-up funding from the DFG). I also had an offer in Sweden, and the chair of my department, Andreas Ladurner, made me a competing offer to keep me in Munich. I ended-up accepting that offer to be an independent group leader.

SS: What do you do in your everyday work life?

MS: A lot of my day is spent on the computer, either writing grants, writing papers, reviewing papers, correcting presentations and documents written by my students, researching or keeping-up with the literature. I also spend a lot of time mentoring my students in lab, demonstrating techniques, going through their data or planning the next steps in their projects. Finally, I teach Biochemistry I to medical students in the summer.

 

SS: What is the most exciting aspect of your research?

MS: I love discovering new things and solving puzzles. I my research we use genetics to try to understand how muscles are built and what goes wrong in muscle diseases. To use an analogy, it is the equivalent of first identifying the pieces in a computer and then figuring out how to put them together and how they interact with each other to make the computer work. We have one gene in lab we work on that we recently discovered plays a role in neurons as well as in muscles. No one knew this before, and now we have many new questions to answer, like does the gene have the same job in muscles and neurons, or does it have different jobs in those two cell types?

 

SS: What challenges do you encounter in science?

MS: I feel I work with two main challenges. The first is finding funding. Much of the financial support in Europe is linked to a timeline, and if you come from a different system (I’m originally from the USA) or if you get unlucky and your project takes a year or two longer than planned, it can make you ineligible. You also have to learn how to spin your proposal to match the interests of the reviewers to get funded, which can be tricky.

Second, I find it a challenge to focus on a single topic and simplify my research questions. I am interested in many different things and many different questions, but we don’t have the time or the personnel or financial resources to investigate everything.

SS: What are your most promising findings in the field?

I just published a huge paper that is the culmination of 8 years of work. It is a resource paper looking at every gene expressed in a muscle cell at 8 different points in development and tracking how different groups of genes change their expression. We discovered a large change in gene expression in the middle of muscle development, much to our surprise, that lead us to a deeper understanding of how muscle fibers mature and achieve their specific contractile characteristics.

 

SS: What motivates you to give a talk in Soapbox science?

MS: I really love what I do, and I like the chance to share our findings with the public. I do basic research, and many people do not understand what that is or why it is important. I hope that talking in Soapbox science might allow me to reach more people to convince them that science is worth the investment, and to help them better understand the biomedical research and development process.

 

SS: Do you have a few words to inspire other female scientists? What can we do to attract more women to STEM fields?

MS: I find research a rewarding and fulfilling career. In my field it isn’t so much attracting women, as retaining women that is the problem. Work-life balance is difficult when you have a demanding career and children, but not impossible. The biggest thing is you have to believe in yourself, trust your own instincts and realize that you don’t have to do everything. At the same time, you need to be willing to dig-in, stick-it-out and compete with the boys when necessary. From my perspective, to help women you need to provide daycare that actually matches working hours and give support options to allow women to travel to conferences and attend evening events. Being flexible without lowering expectations and removing time limits or adding exceptions without penalizing women who use them would also help.

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