Phase Space Invaders (ψ)

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In this episode, I'm attempting to string together the most common threads brought up by my guests in the first eight interviews on the podcast. Reflecting on these conversations, I'm suggesting some grand challenges for the field in the years to come.

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In the eight episode, Rossen Apostolov and I depart from the standard format to talk about the core concepts behind BioExcel, the European Center of Excellence for computational biology. We discuss their main objectives and challenges, from working with code to organizing schools and webinars, talk about the challenges of sustaining funding through maintaining excellence in research, and review ways to share the gained experience with the broader computational world to inspire similar ventures elsewhere. It is a partial attempt to answer questions raised in previous conversations by pointing to existing models for international collaboration across many subfields.

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In the seventh episode, Aleksei Aksimentiev and I delve into the intersection of physics, biology, and nanotechnology, exploring the innovative world of nanopores and biomolecular sequencing. Aleksei shares his journey from particle physics in Ukraine to leading-edge research in the US, and underscores how on the unpredictable path of scientific discovery, openness to new ideas can lead to groundbreaking advancements. Alongside, we discuss the pivotal role of mentorship in fostering scientific curiosity and the pursuit of ambitious goals, illustrating how a supportive mentor can be the key to unlocking potential and driving forward the frontier of biophysics.

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In the sixth episode, Giulia Palermo and I discuss the challenges of studying truly multiscale biomolecular systems, such as the CRISPR/Cas9 complex she famously got involved with. While such problems can take us way out of our comfort zones, they also provide us with clear pathways to innovative and transformative science, something very much needed in the new revolutionary era of RNA biology. In this vein, Giulia also reflects on the nature of scientific creativity, the component that goes beyond our formal training but that can eventually spell the difference between a groundbreaking discovery and run-of-the-mill research.

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In the fifth episode, Paul Robustelli and I discuss how the once very sharp boundary between academia and industry has been becoming increasingly porous, and what implications it will have for future careers in science. Paul shares his experiences and observations about the competing models of funding scientific research, and makes a point that they can eventually synergize rather than compete. We also talk about the often neglected creative or artistic nature of scientists, and how we can use it to better connect with other scientists in a more genuine way.

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In the fourth episode, Modesto Orozco and I talk about the rough path to the predictive power modern computational science has achieved in biology, and the immense possibilities it opens to today's computational biologists working across the scales of space and time. Modesto also reflects on why sharing simulation data is crucial to make sure that our results are trustworthy, and how access to other people's simulations can become a gold mine in the data-driven era of computer modeling.

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In the third episode, Wojtek Kopeć and I discuss the overlooked yet exciting social aspect of scientific collaboration, and what the world of academia could learn from the industry and statisticians to avoid falling behind. Wojtek also shares his personal experience of starting a lab as a new PI, and we reflect on the role of honesty on social media in addressing the hardships of being a scientist.

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In the second episode, Max Bonomi and I discuss efforts to achieve interoperability and portability in the computational community, and how the AI structural revolution will unfold to bring us realistic molecular ensembles. We then move on to ask how the entire range of contributions to science can be recognized, particularly at the early career stage.

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In the first episode, Pilar Cossio and I discuss the radical progress in integrating simulations with experiments, and the excitement about recent progress in modeling cryo-EM tomography data. We share thoughts on the sustainability of our publishing practices, and comment on the challenges of funding the maintenance of scientific code libraries.

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What is this all about? Does the computational community need a podcast? Along with the first interview, I'm sharing the idea behind PSI, and explaining why the time is ripe for a new marketplace of ideas to drive the changes in how we do science. Everyone is invited, from ambitious undergraduates to seasoned veterans!