What is your current role? Tell us a bit about your line of research
I’m currently finishing my PhD in Neurosciences at the Planar Polarity and Plasticity lab at the Neurocentre Magendie in Bordeaux, France. My work is focused on how planar cell polarity proteins modulate neuronal polarity and axonal function. For that, I use in vitro (cultured neurons) and in vivo (transgenic mice) models, together with a wide selection of techniques like immunofluorescence, super resolution imaging and molecular biology. I find the subject particularly interesting, as we know some of these proteins are involved in pathologies like epilepsy or autism. Knowing their basic roles in neuron and brain development is key to understand the onset and mechanisms of those conditions.
What are you excited about in science communication?
Communicating science is not only exciting, but a responsibility from researchers. I like to discuss my work with scientists – through posters or talks- but also with the lay public, in order to approach them to what we do in the lab. In the “post-truth” and “fake news” era, science needs to be told rigorously to the society, which has the right of being properly informed of its progress.
Why did you choose to participate in the ASAPbio Fellows program?
I want to learn how I can contribute to make the scientific publishing system more transparent and efficient. The current process is slow and relies on a “homogeneous” pool of peer-reviewers, which can condition the way science is analysed and perceived. I believe preprints are a solution to communicate scientific discoveries faster prior to publication in a journal. Regarding peer review, I think diversity is essential: this means boosting the inclusion of people from underrepresented groups (women, black, LGBT…) but also early-career researchers. Thanks to the ASAPbio Fellows program, I got to learn loads about the preprints system and the numerous initiatives dedicated to transform peer review.
Ask me about…
Neuronal polarity, open science, basic research, movies (specially the horror ones), books, languages, Twitter and electronic music.