spotLights
About
Welcome to spotLights, the interview series that shines a spotlight on cutting-edge biological research and the brilliant minds behind it.
Join us as we delve into the world of preprints, exploring the journey from an initial idea to an exciting new discovery. While preLights highlights the discoveries described in recent preprints, spotLights takes you behind the scenes, where early-career researchers (ECRs) are driving innovation.
Our mission is simple: to add a human touch to scientific research. We highlight the early-career researchers behind the papers, sharing their triumphs, challenges and everything in between. From the thrill of discovery to perseverance in the face of setbacks, we uncover the real stories of scientific endeavour.
Each episode will focus on a specific theme, whether it’s the power of collaboration, the establishment of new model systems or navigating challenging work environments. Through candid conversations with ECRs, we provide insight into the joys and struggles of academic research.
Join us on spotLights and discover the untold stories of scientific discovery.
Latest episode(s)
In this fourth episode, we talk to Dr Daniel Baird and Oskar Kaaber Thomsen about their recent preprint entitled “TAK1 operates at the primary cilium in non-canonical TGFB/BMP signaling to control heart development”. Daniel is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Sheffield, UK. Oskar is a PhD student at University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
The preprint we cover in this episode has also been covered in a separate preLights post.
Link to related preLights post.
spotLight hosted by:
Matthew Davies, PhD Student at the University of Muenster, Germany
Chee Kiang (Ethan) Ewe, Postdoc at Tel Aviv University, Israel
In this third episode, we talk to Dr Nafisa Jadavji and Dr Chris Smith about their recent preprint entitled “An updated and expanded characterization of the biological sciences academic job market”. Nafisa is an Assistant Professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, as well as a Research Professor at the University of Arizona, and Carleton University. Chris works as a Postdoctoral Affairs Program Administrator at Virginia Tech. The preprint we cover in this episode has also been covered in a separate preLights post (link below).
Link to related preLights post.
spotLight hosted by:
Jennifer Ann Black, Postdoc at University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Chee Kiang (Ethan) Ewe, Postdoc at Tel Aviv University, Israel
Reinier Prosée, preLights Community Manager
In this second episode, we talk to Dr Bipasha Dey, Dr Girish Kale and Verena Kaul about their recent preprint entitled “Divergent evolutionary strategies preempt tissue collision in fly gastrulation”. Bipasha works as a postdoc at the RIKEN BDR in Kobe, Japan. Girish and Verena work as postdoc and PhD student respectively in the Lemke Lab at the University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. The preprint we cover in this episode goes hand in hand with the study led by Bruno Vellutini (as discussed in episode 1).
Link to related preLights post.
spotLight hosted by:
Matthew Davies, PhD Student at the University of Muenster, Germany
Reinier Prosée, preLights Community Manager
In this first episode, we talk to Dr Bruno C. Vellutini. Bruno is a postdoctoral researcher working at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden, Germany. Among other things, we discuss his recent preprint entitled “Patterned embryonic invagination evolved in response to mechanical instability” which was also highlighted as part of a dedicated preLights post.
Link to related preLights post.
spotLight hosted by:
Chee Kiang (Ethan) Ewe, Postdoc at Tel Aviv University, Israel
Matthew Davies, PhD Student at the University of Muenster, Germany
Reinier Prosée, preLights Community Manager