The Microscopists

#48 — In this episode, we talk to David Piston, Professor and Head of Cell Biology and Physiology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis.

David's first love was physics—until he was made to take a quantum mechanics class in graduate school! He now has a super successful career in biology, using innovative imaging and biochemical methods to identify new therapeutic targets for diabetes. And he puts this partially down to being in the right place at the right time!

We hear about how he has successfully combined his love for travel and science by working at A*STAR in Singapore and teaching at the famous Woods Hole labs in Maine. We also discuss his hobbies of signing and sports—he's a big fan of the St Louis Cardinals!

Watch or Listen to all episodes of The Microscopists here: https://themicroscopists.bitesizebio.com/

#47 — From an early start in the lab at just 14 years old, to running one of the largest neuroscience groups in the world, Ed Boyden is a Professor and group leader in the Departments of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT, and an HHMI investigator.
 
In this episode, we hear all about how despite his recent awards and huge success, he initially struggled to get a permanent role in academia, and how he believes you can help create your own luck in science.

Watch or Listen to all episodes of The Microscopists here: https://themicroscopists.bitesizebio.com/

#46 — Stefan Terjung is operational manager at the Advanced Light Microscopy Facility in Heidelberg, one of the first microscopy core facilities established at the EMBL. We discuss new microscopy techniques, his favourite school subjects and guilty TV pleasures.

We also chat about the excellent networking opportunities conferences can provide, fun nights out and dreams of retiring by the sea.

Watch or Listen to all episodes of The Microscopists here: https://themicroscopists.bitesizebio.com/

#45 — Eija Jokitalo is the Director of the Electron Microscopy Unit at the University of Helsinki, whose work focuses on understanding organelle structure during cell division. We chat about why she believes imaging is key to solving biological problems, alternative career pathways inside a core facility and her outreach work in schools.

We also hear about how she juggled a career in science with parenthood, the joy of model organisms and why she thinks bigger may not always be better in science!

Watch or Listen to all episodes of The Microscopists here: https://themicroscopists.bitesizebio.com/

#44 — Gail McConnell, Professor of Biophotonics at the University of Strathclyde chats to Peter O'Toole about her groundbreaking work developing new imaging techniques on the Mesolens, discusses her career highlights, and remembers the time she once got into trouble at an international conference.

We'll discuss creating good work-life balance, and how the first ever female professor of physics at the University of Strathclyde wasn't immune to feelings of imposter syndrome early in her career.

Watch or Listen to all episodes of The Microscopists here: https://themicroscopists.bitesizebio.com/