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also possess a contagious enthusiasm, generous spirit and focused attracted researchers from other disciplines to investigate bioener-

optimism that I think is central to the way they do science, and something getics, enabled the integration of data across multiple organ systems

I strive to emulate.
and across model organisms, and propelled the idea of routine clinical

DOT: In the current climate in which investigators are faced with mitochondrial analysis.

decreased NIH funding for research and low morale, what is the Of course scientiic paradigms have shifted. Even in our own ield, the

best advice?
idea that ROS always lead to oxidative stress is now tempered with

a greater acceptance of the idea that oxidants can act as discrete
I think in this climate collaboration and persistence are very important.
signaling molecules. SfRBM has shifted its identity from a society
Collaboration enables us to branch in several novel directions at once

and to more easily expand the scope and relevance of our individual of “free radical” biologists to “redox biologists’ to keep up with the

research programs. Hopefully this translates into more opportunity for times and be more inclusive of multi-disciplinary scientists who now

funding. I think it’s equally important to be persistent. One has to keep recognize redox biology is relevant to all physiological and disease

processes.
the situation in perspective and realize the only way to weather the

current climate is to push forward with conidence and believe that
The role of social media and the internet in how we do science is also
good science will ultimately get funded.
much greater now than it was a decade ago. It’s exciting to see how

DOT: Being a mentor, you have shaped many students (graduate and quickly ideas spread and how easy it is to ind and access data from

postdoc) to enter academic and industry research, any tips how to around the world.

shape individuals for these scientiic ields?
DOT: How important is the SfRBM conference to you and your

All trainees, regardless of which ield they enter, need to have a
trainees?

strong foundation in the fundamentals of research, need to write
The conference and society have always been very important to me.
well, and have some experience communicating their ideas clearly.
I think SfRBM is unique in its collegiality/friendliness, scientiically
Beyond that, I think it’s important to help trainees determine where
diverse membership, and its emphasis on trainees. I have attended
their scientiic passion lies. It doesn’t matter whether it’s in teaching,
every annual meeting since I was a graduate student and have gained
scientiic writing, or bench research, they will need to be passionate

and really enjoy what they are doing to stay motivated and succeed something from the meeting at every stage of my career. As a trainee

the annual meetings helped me understand the current paradigms
in any scientiic ield. Once they realize what they enjoy, it is easier to
in the ield, build a strong network of colleagues/collaborators, and
help them develop the speciic skills they need to achieve their goal.
motivated/encouraged me by providing such a strong and nurturing

DOT: How has science/research changed during your life as a
arena in which to present my work. I see now that my trainees enjoy
scientist?
and are encouraged by the same aspects of the meeting. As supportive

The exciting thing about science is that it’s continually changing! as the society has been for me, I think it is important to give back and

It’s been about 15 years since I started graduate school. Since then, contribute to the society to keep it healthy and vibrant.

the most obvious change to me is technical advancement. The major
DOT: What are your hobbies outside the laboratory?

example in the ield of bioenergetics is the invention of the Seahorse

Extracellular Flux analyzer, which dramatically shifted the ield from I have two young kids, so I spend most of my time outside the lab

single measurements of mitochondrial function to higher throughput keeping up with them — attending soccer games, driving them to

concurrent analysis of several aspects of bioenergetics. This has
guitar lessons, etc. But I also enjoy travelling, cooking, and reading. 

SfRBM Newsletter // September 2016 // Radical View

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