Open Labs Spotlight: Abi Heuer

Written by Susan Knox

Imagine making structures that bacteria synthesize with your own hands! For Abi Heuer, this is a reality. As a second year Ph.D. student in chemistry at Yale University, Abi makes molecules using organic synthesis principles. Her favorite part about being a scientist is that she is solving problems no one else has figured out before, “Most of the molecules that I make have never been made before, so learning about them and how they behave is fun! Chemistry is always showing us how much we don’t know, which is super humbling and, at the same time, very exciting!”

In the beginning, Abi wanted to be a doctor, but her science teachers encouraged her to study science, including her high school AP Biology teacher, Mr. Wanie.  He was “seriously amazing,” helping Abi to realize that she was good at science.  In college, her research advisor, Dr. J. T. Ippoliti, motivated her to learn synthetic chemistry and inspired her to pursue chemistry instead of medicine.  Now, she is “inspired by great women scientists like Alanna Schepartz, Carolyn Bertozzi, Sarah Reisman, Jennifer Doudna and Frances Arnold”.  These women are certainly inspirational, as Frances Arnold won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2018.

Abi’s graduate research focuses on creating new molecules; currently, she is making antibiotics called (+)-pleuromutilins.  Pleuromutilin antibiotics prevent proteins inside of bacteria from being synthesized, blocking the P site of the bacterial ribosome.  The molecules she is making contain three rings (a tricyclic core) and many sites that must be very specific in their atom placement, which makes the synthesis of these molecules especially challenging.  Her research will “give us a better understanding of the binding in the ribosome and will allow us to design novel structures with increased potency.”

While Abi spends a lot of time in lab, she does recognize the importance of life balance.  She reflects, “I think especially in synthesis, grad school is VERY demanding of your time, but it’s important to take time away from research. I try not to work on Sundays so I always have a full day off each week. I also try to set my hours so that I’m home early enough to spend some time watching TV and winding down before bed. Good time management is important because I can set up some experiments, go to my Open Labs meetings/volunteer events/go out for lunch on the weekends, etc. and then come back and finish them. Lots of multitasking!”  

Exposure to new topics and fields can guide us to our next career step.  For Abi, her synthetic chemistry background has influenced her decision to work in pharmaceutical research doing medicinal chemistry to make new drugs for patients.  Advice from mentors can also affect our choices.  Abi’s advice is two-fold:

1. “It’s never too late to change your mind! If you’re interested in science now but aren’t sure whether you’re more interested in physics or engineering or chemistry or medicine or biology, pursue them all and you’ll find your niche!

2. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. College will sometimes be hard and graduate school will definitely be hard but there’s so much to learn and it’s very fulfilling to look back on where you started and see how far you’ve come through all the hard work.”

If you have any questions for Abi, other members of the Open Labs team, or if you want more information on how to attend or get involved with upcoming events, contact us at openlabsfellowship@gmail.com. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest Open Labs and science updates!

Open Labs Spotlight: Sharif Kronemer

Written by Susan Knox

Sharif Kronemer is a fourth year Ph.D. student in the Neuroscience Department at Yale University, as well as the Director of the Yale University branch of Open Labs. Sharif’s interest in science began in a high school philosophy class that focused on philosophy of mind. He recounts, “Philosophers of mind were really neuroscientists and psychologists before either formally existed as a field of study. These philosophers were trying to better understand how the mind worked and its relationship to the brain. I was fascinated by the questions these philosophers asked but I wanted to use a scientific approach towards answering these questions. This inspired me to pursue the study of consciousness in the framework neuroscience.” On that note, Sharif strives to identify key brain networks necessary for consciousness (Sharif explains consciousness or perception as “the state of being able to notice and potentially report on something [e.g., noticing a car driving by, or the feeling of pain or happiness]”). Both philosophers and scientists have been studying consciousness for hundreds of years. Sharif gets to actually work with community members who volunteer to participate in his studies. Participants complete computer tasks involving perception while Sharif records brain signals using various technologies such as fMRI and EEG. Results from his studies will clarify where and how consciousness works in the brain. Potential applications of these conclusions could be used to restore consciousness in patients (e.g., coma) or create an artificial consciousness.

Sharif genuinely loves being a Ph.D. student and reflects, “The most exhilarating part about being a scientist is studying a topic that is totally mysterious. In the case of my research, no one knows how consciousness works. Thinking that I could have a part in solving this puzzle is exhilarating! Of course, like most scientists, I love to learn and graduate school is an excellent way to learn something new every day.”

He had his first laboratory learning experience at the age of 19. He was bold and determined, emailing various researchers with whom he did not have any connections to find a summer placement. An investigator at Georgetown University offered him a position in the lab, where Sharif learned about antiepileptic drug effects on the developing brain. As the only research assistant in the lab that summer, he worked in the wet lab preparing chemicals and stains and was able to interact individually with Ph.D. students and postdocs. While this experience helped him understand that he did not want to work in a wet lab, he still learned valuable lessons about the scientific process. Every adventure will teach you something about yourself.

Sharif’s advice for younger students interested in the sciences and pursuing graduate school: “first, take your time figuring out what you want to do! You have many years and years to find what you like and do not like. I would say you should start formulating an idea of your primary interests by your mid-twenties. Many Ph.D. students these days will take several years off between undergrad and grad school. In most cases for science students, they will spend this time in a lab but I also know people who did something totally different during this time, for exampling, running a coffee shop in South America for two years before starting a Ph.D. in neuroscience. Second, there is more to learn than STEM! If you go to college and pursue a STEM major there are often strict constraints on the courses you will be required to complete leaving you little room for other subjects. Don’t forget that there are many other topics outside of the STEMS that can enrich your education and in some cases directly educate your science interests. Remember it was my philosophy class in high school that got me into neuroscience. Finally, find a mentor! A mentor can be anyone from a friend a year ahead of you to a senior scientist or professional who can help guide you and give you advise as you pursue your schooling and beyond. Make sure to discuss your goals with a teacher or counselor. They can offer invaluable assistance. I wish I did this more!”

As he is becoming more senior in his Ph.D. research, Sharif finds balancing his lab obligations with my passion for science outreach has become more challenging, but is still able to find time for both, “This requires setting aside most of my evenings for outreach, but because I love engaging in outreach, it rarely feels like work”. Attesting to his passion for outreach, Sharif is also a Graduate Affiliate at Pierson College at Yale and helps to organize events and mentor Yale undergrads on their research projects.

No doubt we will see Sharif doing great things after he completes his Ph.D. He is currently keeping his options open, but is fairly certain he will continue on the academic track by pursuing a post-doctoral position where he will be able to continue research and development of his knowledge of new research questions and techniques. “This additional experience will make me a more well-rounded scientist and prepare me for a professorship if I decide to pursue this track. But, having grown up outside of Washington D.C. and with two parents closely connected to the government, I have always been interested in politics and I have considered leaving academia for a career in science policy. I think I would also be very help in a science writing career. Whichever career I do end up pursuing, I know for me to be fulfilled it must involve elements of critical thinking, learning, leadership, and self-motivation.”

If you have any questions for Sharif, other members of the Open Labs team, or if you want more information on how to attend or get involved with upcoming events, contact us at openlabsfellowship@gmail.com. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest Open Labs and science updates!

Open Labs Spotlight: Chantanelle Nava

For Chantanelle “Chani” Nava, her appreciation for the scientific method really “took off” in eighth grade.  She had entered into a bottle-rocket building competition that awarded a prize to the bottle that flew the highest.  The only materials allowed were a 2-liter plastic bottle and a sheet of cardboard paper.  With no previous experience, Chani spent the building time trying out wings with different shapes and sizes, placing them in different positions on the bottle.  She then tested how high each bottle flew when she threw it, and adjusted her tests based on which design did best.  Her accidental but effective use of the scientific method launched her all the way to first place!

These days, Chani continues to use the scientific method as a second-year graduate student with Harvard’s Astronomy Department.  Though she originally intended to become a medical doctor, she stumbled onto her passion for astronomy after taking a physics class her second year in college.  With strong mentorship from her lab instructor, Jaylene Naylor, and later research mentor, Professor Nate McCrady, Chani was able to navigate through challenging coursework and personal doubts to become the strong researcher she is today.

Now, Chani works to detect planets orbiting stars other than our Sun, or exoplanets, with the Doppler shift method.  As planets travel along their orbits, they cause their host star to wobble slightly around the common center of mass of the planet and the star.  We are able to observe this wobble as a periodic red and blue shift in the color of the star’s light.  Sometimes, this shift becomes hard to find due to activity on the star’s surface that causes similar color shifts.  Chani’s research focuses on better characterizing this activity on the star’s surface so that astronomers everywhere can detect planets more confidently using this method.

When not finding other planets, Chani enjoys exploring this planet!  She likes to spend weekends mountain biking, kayaking, or even snowshoeing through the wilds along with her boyfriend, Russell.  She also enjoys embarking on adventures in Boston, where she lives, exploring the local landmarks and museums.  Things can get hectic as a graduate student, and so Chani makes sure to take the time to cook full meals and play with her pet cat Kiki every day.

For Chani, it is important to evaluate and reevaluate your goals often.  Your future self may end up very different from what you imagine now.  As you go through big decisions in life, it is always important to take a step back, take stock of how your feelings, and take risks.  “When you are feeling unsettled about where your future is heading, turn off your autopilot mode to address those unsettling feelings, even if it is intimidating to veer from a course for which you have already laid much groundwork.”  Taken from a Montana girl who was once enroute to becoming a doctor and is now a successful astronomer, your life could lead you anywhere, so make sure you catch all the turns in the road!

If you have any questions for Chani, other members of the Open Labs team, or if you want more information on how to attend or get involved with upcoming events, contact us at openlabsfellowship@gmail.com. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest Open Labs and science updates!

Open Labs Spotlight: Shannon Leslie

Written By: Malena Rice

Shannon Leslie, a third-year graduate student in Yale University’s Interdepartmental Neurobiology program, loves being a scientist because it provides her with the opportunity to ask important questions that interest her, then go out and find the answers. She was inspired to enter the field of science by an amazing teacher who showed her the fun and power of science during her freshman year of high school. Fascinated, Shannon reached out to a scientist from a local university, who helped her to organize her first lab experience during that summer. While working in the lab, Shannon learned what research really was and how it was conducted with the help of graduate students and postdocs in the lab. She was also particularly inspired by how much the researchers around her loved their jobs. She knew from that point that she wanted to go to graduate school and continue with research throughout her studies.

As a graduate student, Shannon has become involved with research focusing on a region of the brain called the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for many unique functions such as attention and short-term memory, but it is also particularly vulnerable to diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia. Shannon studies the molecules that underlie the unique abilities and vulnerabilities of the prefrontal cortex. By studying these molecules in the context of age and stress, she is advancing our knowledge of their relationship with psychiatric illness.

Outside of research, Shannon loves being in the outdoors, hiking, running, and spending time with her recently adopted dog. For Shannon, outreach is extremely important because it reminds her why she loves science in the first place. To students interested in science, she recommends always asking questions and being unafraid to reach out – scientists are extremely welcoming and happy to talk about their research!

Thanks to Shannon for all of her hard work and contributions to Open Labs! If you have any questions for Shannon or for Open Labs, please feel welcome to email us at openlabsfellowship@gmail.com or leave a comment below!

Open Labs Spotlight: Ian Weaver

Written by: Lily Zhao

To many, the night sky appears as just a dark void.  However, to Mr. Corbin, once a U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomer, the night sky revealed much more.  After retiring, he would often bring his telescopes out to the parking lot at his neighborhood pool so that local kids could peer through.  It was here that Ian Weaver, age 13, realized that there was more to the sky than those small points of white light separated by vast expanses of inky black.

Building on an early curiosity for space, Ian is now a second-year graduate student with Harvard University’s Astronomy Department.  He studies exoplanets, or planets that orbit stars other than our Sun.  In particular, Ian works to characterize what the atmosphere surrounding other planets may look like.

Ian’s research group looks for planets that travel between us on Earth and the planet’s own host star.  This allows them to measure how the starlight from the host star filters through the exoplanet’s atmosphere.  As the starlight interacts with the planetary atmosphere, it leaves behind a fingerprint of what makes up this atmosphere.  From this, they can figure out things like what the atmosphere is made of and the temperature of the planet.  By working towards improving these techniques, Ian is making it possible to study smaller, more Earth-like planets and maybe one day discover signs of life on another planet!

Ian’s favorite part of science is getting to come up with novel ways of overcoming the different problems that come up during his research.  Even though it can be scary, not having an answer in the back of a book to reference, it also keeps science exciting and compelling.  Every problem solved is another step towards understanding something that has never been known before.

The never-ending excitement that comes with scientific research and his love for teaching makes Ian want to become a professor in the future.  However, much of science today involves working with computers and programming, so Ian would be just as happy working as a data scientist or research scientist.  The skills he uses every day as an exoplanet researcher could potentially serve him well in any variety of future jobs, so he is keeping his options open.

To that end, Ian advises anyone and everyone to start learning computer programing.  This is best done through finding mini-projects related to your interests and trying to code solutions yourself.  For those who have never seen a computer in their life (welcome, this is the internet) and a visual programming language called “Scratch” (https://scratch.mit.edu/) recently developed by MIT is a great way to start.

When he’s not busy problem solving, Ian loves getting himself up a creek, literally speaking, with his crew team.  Ian has always loved to row and now competes with a graduate student team against other teams at Harvard.  He finds the team camaraderie invigorating and enjoys how they always push him to be better every day.  For Ian, “whenever I find myself overwhelmed with work or my studies, hopping on the rowing machine is a great way for me to decompress.”

If you have any questions for Ian, other members of the Open Labs team, or if you want more information on how to attend or get involved with upcoming events, contact us at openlabsfellowship@gmail.com. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TheOpenLabs/), Twitter (@YaleOpenLabs), and Instagram (@theopenlabs) for latest Open Labs and science updates!

Open Labs Spotlight: Munazza Alam

Imagine traveling to Chile to use the observatory and spending free time with burros (donkeys) in the mountains. Munazza Alam, a second-year graduate student in the Department of Astronomy at Harvard University, had that opportunity. Munazza spent one week at the Las Campanas Observatory in La Serena studying signatures of youth in nearby low-mass stars and investigating the atmospheric properties of “unusual brown dwarfs (astronomical objects that form like stars, but cool and fade over time to resemble gas giant planets like Jupiter).”  Her trip was founded by a National Geographic Young Explorers Grant (read more about her trip here: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/10/munazza-alam-explorer-moments-dwarf-stars/).

When she is not exploring space from the observatory in Chile, Munazza characterizes exoplanet atmospheres from her home institution, Harvard. In her own words, “My research involves characterizing the atmospheres of ~20 nearby, bright exoplanets. I use data from the Hubble Space Telescope taken when these planets [pass] in front of their host stars. I investigate changes in the size of the planet as a function of wavelength to infer the presence of atoms and molecules in the atmospheres of these planets. Exoplanet atmospheric studies can unveil the formation and evolutionary histories of these planets in addition to revealing information about their present-day climates.”

Her research has taken her to new places, but when she is not contemplating the cosmos, she likes to read, try new ethnic foods, and learn new languages. She reflects, “It’s hard to find a work/life balance when you really love what you’re doing because that’s when work becomes play. But it’s important to take a step back from research (although it may be hard at times to stop thinking about some of the things I’m working on!) and just take some time for myself. I find the best way to separate myself from research and focus on other non-academic activities I enjoy is to put my laptop away and go outside! Each time I do so, I always return to research with a clear mind and a fresh perspective. It definitely pays to step away for a bit.”

As she grew up, Munazza had the support of her father as she continuously asked “why?” questions. He recognized her desire to learn and encouraged her to ask questions. “This [was] really important to me, since I come from a culture where asking “why?” is looked down upon. As a child, I was often reprimanded by others for asking such questions. But I never lost the habit, and it’s exactly that question of “why?” that drives my research today.” This probably explains her enjoyment of her first laboratory experience in sixth grade. Her class learned about different aspects of astronomy, geology, biology, and chemistry. The labs answered several “why” questions and included experiments such as testing blood type, dissecting earthworms, and identifying rocks and arthropod species. Munazza says, “It had me hooked. That was the first experience that spawned my interest in science.”

Her passion for science continues today, as evidenced in her graduate studies. She reminds others to remain inquisitive and assertive, “If you’re curious, don’t be afraid to ask “why?” Try to find good mentors/advisors early on - people who will support you and your interests. Don’t be discouraged if something seems intangible. Always remain interested and willing to learn…To me, being a scientist means working on the “known unknowns” - tackling an issue to which no one yet knows the answer. Research is like a thousand-piece puzzle where everyone is trying to fit the pieces together without knowing what the box looks like. This means we all need to work together to make sure we get the picture right.”

We appreciate your story, Munazza; thank you for sharing and participating in the Harvard branch of Open Labs (http://theopenlabs.org/harvard/)! If you have any questions for Munazza or about Open Labs, please send us an email at openlabsfellowship@gmail.com. Be sure to follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TheOpenLabs/?fref=ts) and Twitter (@YaleOpenLabs) for more up-to-date information on events and news!

Open Labs Spotlight: Holly Merta

Open Labs Member holly merta

Holly Merta discovered her passion for advancing scientific knowledge and answering questions no one has answered before while in undergrad at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. It wasn’t until she started conducting exciting research on small worms called Caenorhabditis elegans in Dr. Alex Simmons’ lab that she decided to pursue a career in science, although she was initially planning on becoming a medical doctor. As a graduate student at Yale University, Holly continues to push scientific boundaries in her investigation of nuclear envelope reformation. Similar to how a cell is surrounded by a membrane that separates it from the outside environment, nucleus is also surrounded by a membrane called the nuclear envelope that separates the important genetic material housed in the nucleus from the rest of the cell’s components. As a cell divides, the nuclear envelope has to break apart so the DNA can be divided between the two new cells. The nuclear envelope then has to reform once cell division is complete. However, the process of how the nuclear envelope reforms after cell division is not completely understood. This is an important question to answer so we can better understand diseases in which cell division is abnormal, like cancer. Holly is interested in investigating the timing of nuclear envelope reformation and the players involved.

One of Holly’s favorite parts about being a scientist is the flexible and self-directed lifestyle. She says she enjoys that she can choose what she wants to study and she can set her own schedule. Additionally, Holly loves talking to the scientists that she works with who, like her, are very curious and invested about what they are working on. When not doing bench science, Holly really enjoys music, singing, playing the piano, and writing music. She takes the skills she develops when writing music and uses them to help her to write her scientific papers so they also flow and are interesting.

Together, Holly’s experiences have driven her desire to become a teaching professor at a university. Her high school teachers at Lamar Consolidated High School and her professors at the University of St. Thomas were passionate about helping their students achieve their career goals and to develop their skills to contribute to society, which is exactly what Holly wants to do! She recommends that even if you may not know what you want to do as a career at first, to pick a path, stick with it, work hard, and do your best in that path. If you want to switch paths then you will have developed a strong work ethic and many skills that can be used in a variety of fields.

Thanks to Holly for all of her great work with Open Labs and for giving us an insight into her pathway to science! If you have any questions for Holly or want to learn more about her work, please post a comment below or send us an email!

Open Labs Spotlight: Boyang Qin

Open Labs Member Boyang QIn

Boyang Qin, a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania, attributes his initial love of science to his father talking about physics and watching him perform science demonstrations when he was younger. One he particularly remembers was when his father would curl up a piece of paper into a vertical tube, put a ping-pong ball on top of the tube, and then blow from the bottom to try to knock the ball off. However, no matter how hard he tried, Boyang couldn’t blow the ball off the tube. These simple experiments sparked Boyang’s interest in science and curiosity in the world.

Although these early years may have sparked his love for science, he remains a passionate scientist because he gets to be at the forefront of what is known. As scientists like Boyang, we are always at the cutting edge and asking questions that no one has answered before. After graduating from high school in Beijing, Boyang continued to pursue his interest in science by attending Lafayette College in Pennsylvania and studying mechanical engineering and math. He is now studying fluid dynamics at graduate school- a research topic partially chosen because of his love for swimming! Fluid dynamics is the study of how fluid flows. Specifically, Boyang is interested in learning how small, hair-like structures found in the human airway, called cilia, clear debris and mucus. To address this question, Boyang studies how green algae called Chlamydomonas swim through a thicker, more mucous like fluid by beating their tail-like flagella as if swimming the breaststroke. These structures and type of swimming pattern are similar to that of cilia in the airway. By understanding how these algae alter their swim pattern, he hopes to better understand how other structures like cilia are influenced by fluids with different properties.

Following graduation, Boyang plans to continue in academic research by getting additional training through a post-doctoral position. He believes it is important to communicate your work and interests to a wider audience and to try to always reach out to inspire others. We’re glad Boyang is a part of our Open Labs team and is inspiring the future generation of scientists!

Want to read more about Boyang's research on fluid dynamics? Check out his paper here and an article about his research here! If you have any questions for Boyang or about Open Labs, please email us at openlabsfellowship@gmail.com! Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

Congrats to Zlatko Minev- recipient of 2016 Yale-Jefferson Public Service Award!!

Congratulations to our very own Zlatko Minev who received a 2016 Yale-Jefferson Public Service Award for his hard work in founding The Open Labs!!

See the announcement at:

http://news.yale.edu/2016/10/24/four-be-honored-yale-jefferson-public-service-awards-ceremony

Open Labs Spotlight: Matt Grobis

Open Labs Member Matt Grobis

When asking a scientist what motivated them to pursue their career in science, it’s common to hear that the scientist always just enjoyed science and decided to focus their career goals in that direction. Matt Grobis, on the other hand, never considered pursuing science as a career until he had an eye-opening experience in his biology class during his junior year of high school in Vernon Hills, Illinois. Until this class, he wanted to be an author and particularly enjoyed his English classes, but he soon discovered he equally enjoyed learning about the natural world that surrounds us. After beginning college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as an English major, Matt soon transferred to integrative biology to continue studying how the natural world works while still pursuing his writing interests.

Matt is a firm believer in not getting discouraged when things don’t go according to plan. While Illinois was not his top choice for college, he had an incredible experience and took advantage of the many opportunities there. Despite graduating college with uncertainty about the next steps, a sudden stroke of luck appeared two weeks later with a scholarship he’d been waiting on.  Matt also applies this mentality to his current research. He explains that “data collection and experiments rarely work out the way you imagine. It all looks smooth from a distance, with one step logically leading to the next. But it’s often not!” As a graduate student at Princeton in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology department, Matt studies the behavior of animal groups and, specifically, how schools of fish relay information through their group to avoid predators. Matt uses quantitative approaches such as computer programming to address his research questions in the Couzin lab. 

Although he didn’t consider himself good at math or computers prior to entering graduate school, Matt’s research required him to dive into programming head on and he now truly appreciates the vast potential programming provides him: better data visualizations, more intricate data analysis, faster processing; the list goes on. “Don’t be afraid to try learning something intimidating!” Matt says. “You never know where it will take you.”

Matt loves research but he’s keeping future doors open. “If the past taught me anything, it’s that life doesn’t always go according to plan. I’d love to do research as a professor at a fancy university. But I’d also be really excited to work as a data scientist at a company, or to focus on delivering informative and interesting lectures as a professor at a small liberal arts college. We’ll see what happens.” In the meantime, one of Matt’s biggest priorities is communicating science in a way that is accessible to everyone. To that end, Matt maintains a blog called The Headbanging Behaviorist and is a co-founder and director of the Open Labs branch at Princeton. He is also a co-founder and the managing editor for Highwire Earth, a blog on sustainable development.

Thanks to Matt for all his hard work with the Princeton branch of Open Labs and for sharing his story and advice with us! If you have any questions for Matt or about Open Labs in general, please send us an email at openlabsfellowship@gmail.com. Also be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more up to date information on events and news!

Open Labs Member Spotlight: Cait Williamson

Open labs member Cait williamson

Cait Williamson, a graduate student at Columbia University, understands the importance of being a well-rounded student. Throughout her schooling, this same theme emerges- trying something different helped her identify her passions. During her high school years in California, she took numerous classes including math, history, literature, physics and biology to discover her talent and love for the biological sciences. Cait tested her tolerance for a different climate and culture by traveling across the country to attend undergrad in New York at Columbia University. At college, Cait was planning on majoring in Biology on a pre-med track until she took a psychology class and decided to major in Neuroscience and Behavior. However, it wasn’t until getting experience in both a lab and volunteering at a hospital that she realized she wanted to be a scientist. Thinking creatively to solve interesting problems that affect society was the path she was truly interested in pursuing.

Cait loves the variety and opportunities to try new things in graduate school as well. In Cait’s research in the Curley lab, where she studies what happens behaviorally and biologically in the brain when a social network is changed, she uses a variety of methods to understand behavioral, social and biological questions in a creative way! But Cait doesn’t spend all of her time in lab and she recommends to find other fun things to do to help unwind! In fact, in her free time she runs marathons and is currently training for her fourth! Go Cait!

Her well-balanced approach to training so far is one she recommends for young students- get diverse set of experiences and try lots of new things to decide what you might be interested in doing! And even if you are late in your high school or college experience with no idea what to do next, she stresses not to panic because everything will work out in the end! Cait is following her own advice when trying to determine what she wants to do for a career. She is keeping the door open for several potential careers including teaching (which she loves) or maybe even data analytics, consulting, or working for a private company. Her story is just one of many other examples of people being open to new opportunities as they present themselves. We’re glad she is a part of the Open Labs team where she gets to share all of her experience and advice with the next generation of scientists!

If you have any questions for Cait, other members of the Open Labs team, or if you want more information on how to attend or get involved with upcoming events, contact us at openlabsfellowship@gmail.com. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for latest Open Labs and science updates!

2016 Spring Science Cafe at Yale was a success!

On Sunday, April 10th, Yale Open Labs hosted another successful Science Cafe event! Over 100 students and parents, along with dozens of graduate student volunteers, took time out of their busy schedules to listen to four fantastic science talks given by graduate students who perform cutting edge science at Yale.

Our first speaker, Charles Brown, is a PhD student in Physics and gave an outstanding talk on quantum uncertainty. This talk was followed up with an exciting story presented by Pathology PhD student, Molly Gale, about a successful targeted cancer therapy used in the treatment of breast cancer. Our third speaker was Andrew Barentine who gave us an overview of very "cool" work he did involving use of super cold atoms. Finally, Michelle Hutchings, a PhD student in Chemistry, told us about the road to how scientists like her go about identifying the many potential uses of tiny microbes.

Following the talks, students got to ask the speakers and other volunteer graduate students about science, their research, as well as college and careers. There were some great questions asked following the talks as well as at the small group discussions. The students, parents, and graduate students all learned a lot from each other and had a great time!

Thank you to all of the students and parents who attended the Yale Science Cafe! Without you, this event wouldn't be possible! A special thank you to all of the speakers. graduate student volunteers, and Pathways to Science team for helping out and making this event such a success! We can't wait for future Science Cafes and Open Labs events!

Want more information and up-to-date news? Follow us on Twitter at @YaleOpenLabs or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheOpenLabs/.

Check out the Open Labs Introductory Video!

Are you interested in learning more about Open Labs? Watch our introductory video about Open Labs and to get an idea about why we love science! We can't wait to share this passion with you! If you want to get more involved, explore our website to get more information on upcoming events like Science Cafe or laboratory tours or to get more in depth information about a topic you might have heard about at an event. We look forward to seeing you at upcoming events and hope you enjoy your journey in science!

After Party PENN Science Cafe

The PENN and Yale teams celebrate a successful Science Cafe at the Seligmans! #welcomehome 

"If you're in a bad mood, go for a walk ...

Jordyn making it happen at Open Labs @ Penn Science Cafe. If you're in a bad mood, go for a walk. If you're still in a bad mood when you come back, go for another walk.