Hi there, my identify is Elena Camacho-Aguilar, and I’m excited to be contributing to the “New PI Diaries” part on The Node. As you may need already deduced, I’m a brand new PI. Just a few weeks in the past, on November ninth, I joined the Andalusian Heart for Developmental Biology (CABD for brief) in Seville as a María de Maeztu Junior PI. My lab will leverage stem cell analysis, arithmetic, and computational strategies to review early embryonic improvement. We’re keen on uncovering mechanisms by which cells work together and interpret dynamic signaling to transition into totally different cell varieties and create spatial patterns, with a give attention to embryonic-extraembryonic interactions. If this appears like one thing you is perhaps keen on, don’t hesitate to contact me, as we’re in search of motivated scientists to hitch our crew! Particularly, we’re actively in search of a lab technician/analysis assistant. Our web site remains to be within the making, however I hope to have the ability to share it quickly! Within the meantime, be at liberty to observe me on X for extra common updates.

Not going to lie, these previous months have been a little bit of a rollercoaster. I really feel like I began to blink final April, after I accepted my new place, and after I opened my eyes, it was already November. Throughout these previous seven seconds months, I needed to prepare to complete my postdoctoral place at Rice College and begin as a brand new PI on the CABD. Amongst different issues, I needed to end manuscript revisions, end some experiments, submit a grant, be taught a brand new experimental method, put all my information and code collectively in a manner another person can discover it and use it, begin MTAs to switch cells throughout the Atlantic, contact distributors to arrange my new lab, in addition to get married and put together for a global transfer¹. Fortunately, all of it occurred fairly easily, and I can say I’m protected and sound in Seville.

Determining what to say on this weblog submit allowed me to replicate on the peculiar features of this transition that I had not realized. First, after 10 years overseas, I’m very fortunate to be coming again to my hometown, the place I left as a newly graduated faculty pupil. Secondly, whereas I left as a newly graduated pure mathematician, I’m coming again to arrange a quantitative stem cell analysis lab. What I imply is that, whereas I’m coming again to a well-recognized metropolis and tradition, there are various issues that I nonetheless must adapt to and determine. I’m again to the identical geographical level however beneath a really totally different situation. Nevertheless, I’m very fortunate that my previous mentor and new colleagues are serving to quite a bit in making this transition simpler; they’ve been extremely welcoming and supportive of me. Within the following months, I should end ordering supplies, obtain our cells (want me luck at border management), interview candidates for our technician place, and begin doing experiments. I can’t wait to see how the lab develops and do our first experiment in Seville! Will preserve you posted!

¹ I additionally accomplished the SDB New College Bootcamp, which I completely suggest should you really feel a bit anxious concerning the totally different features of turning into a brand new PI. I discovered many issues from mission administration, managing your funds, grant writing, mentoring, and so on., and the digital conferences had been plenty of enjoyable.

(No Scores But)
Loading…