Postdocs Archives - Sanford Burnham Prebys
Institute News

Launching a career in science

AuthorDeborah Robison
Date

May 15, 2017

We recently caught up with Jacob Brown, PhD, a past Fishman Award winner, whose research career is really taking off.  Jacob studies the molecular mechanisms by which the gut and brain communicate to regulate food intake and energy expenditure. Working in the laboratory of Dr. Julio Ayala in the Center for Metabolic Origins of Disease, Jacob hopes to identify brain regions and signaling events that can be used to develop more effective obesity therapies.

You were recently awarded an NIH fellowship grant.  How did working at SBP contribute to the award?

While at SBP, I’ve collected intriguing preliminary data that I used to form the hypotheses and specific aims. Julio’s guidance helped to evolve my grant writing skills and my application was bolstered by incorporating the collaborative expertise of three other SBP faculty members.  

Strong grant writing skills are essential for research professionals. To what do you attribute your success?

Practice, practice, practice. I wrote seven grant applications within one and a half years of arriving at SBP. The process of writing and incorporating feedback from reviewers and lab members helped to hone my grantsmanship. This award has given me more confidence as I go forward to seek independent funding for my own lab.

What research questions are you investigating?

How do gut-derived hormones and fats cause satiety and weight loss? I am investigating a specific protein and lipid generated by the gut after eating sugar and fat to determine how they reduce food intake and body weight. While one engages the brain and the other engages receptors outside of the brain, I am investigating whether they can work together to form a greater anti-obesity response. The overall goal is to leverage the discoveries of this project to improve current obesity therapies.

Why did you choose science as a career?

As the youngest of seven kids, I was exposed to the hobbies and careers of my older siblings. These were diverse since my parents encouraged us to try out different things. They gave me a physiology picture book when I was in fourth grade. At the time I wanted to either be a rock star or doctor.  In college, I chose to major in physiology and was drawn to lab research.

What advice can you offer to recent post-docs?

Choosing your principle investigator is one of the most critical decisions. Find someone who is approachable and maintain open discussions with your PI about presenting your research at conferences, writing grants and developing a well-rounded set of professional skills.  Managing the grant writing process has been key in my development because it helped me think about the science from multiple angles and patch potential gaps before the reviewer sees them.  I owe a lot to Dr. Ayala’s mentoring style.

What fascinates you most about your research?

Where do I start? What interests me most is how our body’s tissues communicate with each other and how this communication regulates basic physiology in health and in disease states like obesity. It is incredible that one molecule can change a behavior as complex as eating. Eating behavior is influenced by more than just access to food; it’s also influenced by motivation, memories, mood and the reward the food represents. With my two daughters always on my mind, my main motivation is to help prevent the obesity epidemic from continuing into the next generations.

Institute News

Suds and science: a night of thinking and drinking

AuthorJessica Moore
Date

July 13, 2016

A brewery might seem like an odd place to be talking about science, but on a recent Monday evening, Jessica Rusert, PhD, a postdoc in the laboratory of Robert Wechsler-Reya, PhD, did exactly that. In front of an enthralled crowd at Stone Brewing in Liberty Station, she discussed how advances in genomics and bioinformatics are changing medicine. The evening was part of the Suds & Science series organized by the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, which aims to bring science to the masses and give people the opportunity to discuss a hot topic with a scientist doing related research.

Rusert’s topic was precision medicine, also called personalized medicine, which means treating patients as individuals instead of using what works for the majority. Rusert focused on cancer, where some personalized therapies, selected based on markers present in a patient’s tumor, are already available. She is an expert on this topic, as her research aims to find treatments for specific molecular subtypes of medulloblastoma, a devastating pediatric brain cancer.

There were a lot of questions about this future of medicine, including whether this more complex approach to healthcare would be affordable for everyone. But there was also an undercurrent of hope for the future—doctors are gaining the power to predict which treatment will work for each patient, and the recent presidential initiative will accelerate progress.

Rusert promoted the event earlier that day on the CW6 show San Diego Living, which you can watch here.

Suds & Science is held once a month at various establishments in San Diego.

 

Institute News

Former postdoc Suzanne Graham now leads business development at diagnostic company

AuthorJessica Moore
Date

July 8, 2016

Suzanne Graham, PhD, did postdoctoral research at SBP from 2004-2012, during which time she worked in two labs. With Fred Levine, MD, PhD, professor and director of the Sanford Children’s Health Research Center, she studied cell cycle control in pancreatic beta cells, and with Rolf Bodmer, PhD, professor and director of the Development, Aging, and Regeneration Program, she explored how metabolic syndrome affects heart function. She has served as senior manager of business development at Genection, which develops and sells genetic tests, in San Diego since June 2012.

What’s your job like— what do you do every day?

I’m responsible for managing relationships with clients (generally pharmaceutical companies)—making sure we’re getting the right data to them, answering their questions, and trying to get more business.

What drew you to business development?

I’m more sociable than the average R&D scientist—I wanted to be involved in lots of conversations, interfacing with all parts of the company.

What do you enjoy most about it and why? 

It’s exciting to help our clients find tools that help them meet their goals. For example, if a company is running a trial of a drug and they can tell it’s working for some patients but not others, I can help them either find a diagnostic test or work with our company to make one that helps them identify the likely responders.

Plus, since I’m working in industry, everything moves quickly. It’s really rewarding to see things through to completion.

What do you hope to accomplish in your career? 

Since I’m familiar with how genomics fits into pharmaceutical development, I’d love to move to a pharma company in a strategy role to help them expand into that area.

What did you gain from your postdoc experience at Sanford Burnham? 

My scientific training is instrumental in my work—it really helps me understand and define the questions our clients have, which is crucial for finding the right solution.

How did you find your first job after your postdoc? Was it challenging? 

I used a job placement company because it is VERY hard for postdocs to get into industry. They helped make my resume convey my skills in a way that speaks to biotech companies, understand what kind of jobs to look for, and create a strategy to connect with potential hirers.

What advice do you have for current postdocs looking for a job?

PhD scientists can fulfill a lot more roles than they might think. Almost any job related to biotech benefits from a deep understanding of science—even designing websites or doing social media for executives.

Institute News

Krissa Smith, former postdoc, now research program manager at Susan G. Komen

AuthorJessica Moore
Date

June 24, 2016

Krissa Smith, PhD, was a postdoc in the laboratory of William Stallcup, PhD, professor in our NCI-designated Cancer Center, from early 2010 to late 2011, where she studied the impact of blocking blood vessel growth on breast cancer development. She now manages the scientific review of grant applications for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

What’s your job like— what do you do every day?

Over the five years I’ve been with the Komen Foundation, I’ve moved up from assigning grant applications to review committees to overseeing the whole grant review team. We awarded an incredible amount— over $40 million in funding last year. Since our review committees include patient advocates, I help train them in how to effectively understand and evaluate which proposals are the most promising.

Another important role of my job is finding effective ways to communicate the great work our scientists are doing. Every step forward is a combined effort, so it’s a priority for us to help the community understand how each step leads to the next and the progress that has been made. There are so many ways to communicate in today’s world that the opportunities are endless!

What drew you to this job?

I actually would never have thought of grants management as a career goal, but someone I knew from graduate school worked for Komen and encouraged me to apply. Since then I’ve realized how working with a non-profit gives me opportunities that are more than I hoped for. Not only do I keep up with the cutting edge of research, but I also feel like I’m making a difference—the science can’t get done without funding.

What else do you enjoy about your work?

I have never been bored! I wasn’t sure what administration would be like on a day-to-day basis, but I’ve worked through a lot of rewarding challenges. Plus, it’s nice to be the one giving out the money instead of working so hard to apply for grants!

What advice do you have for current postdocs looking for a job?

Keep up your connections. People have a way of ending up in surprising and sometimes influential places. You might be surprised at how the diverse careers of your friends from grad school and your postdoc may increase your job options and perspective.

How has your work at Komen changed you?

I’ve come to embrace pink more than I ever thought I would! I’ve also gained a deeper appreciation for including patients as part of the funding process—their perspective is really valuable.

How has your scientific training impacted your life outside your career?

Some time ago I felt lumps on my dog’s chest—and given my background I suspected tumors. It turns out I was right. The good news is that they were surgically removed and she didn’t need further treatment. Breast cancer really does affect everyone in some way – I was just surprised to have it impact my dog!

 

Institute News

Monika Schneider, former SBP postdoc, now a health policy analyst in DC

Authorjmoore
Date

April 26, 2016

This is part of a series on what past SBP postdocs are doing now.

Monika Schneider, PhD, was a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Sumit Chanda, PhD, professor and director of the Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, from 2012-2014, where she studied how the immune system recognizes and clears HIV. After serving as a science policy advocate at the American Association of Immunologists, she recently took a position with the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy.

What’s your job like— what do you do every day?

In my current position, I develop policy solutions to issues that affect drug development and health care. My duties include research to identify the main players, current policy, and gaps in knowledge or process; convening meetings with relevant stakeholders; and writing up reports on recommended policies and pathways for implementation.

What do you enjoy most about it and why?

I really enjoy learning new things, and here I get to learn about what has to happen after discovery of a drug at a research institution before it can be marketed. I also get to make an impact on how drug development is prioritized and paid for.

What do you hope to accomplish in your career?

It’s the same as what initially drew me to science in general and immunology in particular: helping to reduce the suffering caused by disease. I hope to develop policies that will result in smarter, faster, and less costly drug development.

What did you gain from your postdoc experience at SBP? 

I really appreciated the translational aspect of much of the research at SBP. I also feel that during my time as a postdoc, I learned how to do team science. Having multiple projects, and collaborators that were on the other side of the country, really strengthened my organizational and project management skills. 

How did you find your first job after your postdoc? Was it challenging?

I found my first job through a job posting site. It was not challenging for me mostly due to good timing and fit—the organization’s leadership knew my references. However, I believe that my involvement in student government and the SBP Science Network (SBP-SN) gave me a leg up.

Were you looking specifically for jobs in science policy?

No, I was also considering scientific program management and medical writing. I really enjoy discussing science (I always liked lab meetings) and technical writing, so I was looking for positions where I could serve as a liaison between scientists and government, business interests, or the public.

What do you miss most and least about San Diego?

I miss the plethora of breweries, Mexican food, and, of course, the friends I made while living there. I do not miss sitting in traffic to get to work (I take the metro now) or the lack of leafy trees and grass.

Institute News

Former SBP postdoc Louis Lapierre now assistant professor at Brown University

Authorjmoore
Date

April 15, 2016

This is the first post in a series that will share what past SBP postdocs are doing now. 

Louis Lapierre, PhD, was a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Malene Hansen, PhD, associate professor in the Development, Aging, and Regeneration Program from 2008 to 2014, where he studied the molecular mechanisms of aging using the microscopic roundworm C. elegans. Since January 2015, he has been an assistant professor in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University. His lab researches the role of lipophagy in aging, the process by which cells recycle fats to enhance longevity.

What did you gain from your postdoc experience at Sanford-Burnham? What was the best thing about doing science here?

Conducting research at Sanford-Burnham was a great stepping-stone in my career development. After my first publication there, because I was in a lab led by an emerging scientist, I had the flexibility to carry out research that I personally cared about, which led to interesting and unexpected findings. Eventually, I obtained independent financial support that was critical for my transition to independence. Importantly, SBP’s location in La Jolla means that it is surrounded by highly skilled researchers and state-of-the-art infrastructure, which makes for a cutting-edge, competitive environment.

How did you find your first job after your postdoc? Was it challenging?

I interviewed for several positions during the first half of 2014. The faculty job search is grueling, but I feel privileged to have gone through it. The main challenge is the outstanding level of competition not only at research-intensive institutions, but also at lower tier schools.

Why do you say participating in the faculty selection process was a privilege?

I think it’s easy to forget that our accomplishments were possible because, at some point, someone believed in us. Receiving support from colleagues and mentors and then being selected for interview by a search committee is a privilege that only a few postdocs get to experience.

What advice do you have for postdocs who hope to find a faculty position?

During your postdoc, plan meticulously to position yourself in line with funding opportunities and aggressively pursue emerging topics. During the job search, understand your value on the market, develop an interesting research program with long-term potential and strategically market yourself at conferences. 

What do you enjoy most about your work and why?

I think the most fascinating part of basic research is the possibility of making new and exciting discoveries, and being at the forefront of knowledge. I also find mentoring highly rewarding because I get to make a difference in someone else’s life by building their confidence. This is especially gratifying when I get to work with students who have a passion for science, which is so important to thrive in this competitive environment.

What do you miss most about San Diego and why?

You only realize what you have when you lose it. Leaving San Diego was difficult because I knew nowhere else would be as good. I miss San Diego, not only for its incredible weather and beautiful beaches, but most importantly for the great friends I made there.

Institute News

The Diabetes Story: Will new treatments lead to novel weight loss drugs?

AuthorGuest Blogger
Date

November 3, 2015

Written by Jing Ping Lu, PhD

November is American Diabetes Month. Throughout the month, we will be highlighting our research contributions to this increasingly prevalent disease.

The growing epidemic of diabetes presents significant challenges for health care. It ranks 7th among the leading causes of death, and about one tenth of all health care dollars are spent on diabetes and its complications. According to the American Diabetes Association, 29.1 million Americans have been diagnosed with this metabolic disorder, and 1.4 million new cases were reported in 2013. With these statistics, the burden diabetes has on the health care system will continue to rise.

Opportunities to research the disease have also increased with the growing diabetic population. One particular area of emphasis is in understanding how glucose—a type of sugar—is broken down, or metabolized, in diabetic patients. Glucose is the major energy source our body uses to carry out activities. Glucose levels in the blood are kept constant by a hormone called insulin. After eating, the glucose level in the blood rises and signals insulin release. Insulin is like a key that opens up the locks on our cells so that glucose can enter. Glucose can then be stored in the form of glycogen and used later for energy. If our body does not make enough insulin, or insulin is not well recognized by the cell, then glucose levels will build up in the blood stream causing diabetes and other long-term complications.

Treating Diabetes Diabetic treatments are primarily developed to lower the amount of blood glucose by restoring the secretion of insulin or enhancing how well insulin works to promote the entry of glucose into cells. Another hormone called glucagon-like-peptide-1(GLP-1) has been shown to increase glucose-dependent stimulation of insulin release, and GLP-1 based drugs are used to treat diabetes. Julio Ayala, PhD, and his research team are working on projects that utilize GLP-1 based drugs to stimulate insulin secretion. These drugs come in two categories, GLP-1 analogs that mimic the action of GLP-1 and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors that prevent the breakdown of GLP-1 made in the body. Although both drugs can effectively lower glucose levels, one promotes weight loss while the other does not.

A new avenue for weight loss? Preliminary research performed in Ayala’s lab confirmed that the two drugs have different effects on food intake. “Interestingly, when targeted to specific regions in the brain, GLP-1 analogs reduce food intake to a greater degree than does native (natural) GLP-1. This may partly explain why GLP-1 analogs promote weight loss while DPP-4 inhibitors that increase native GLP-1 levels do not,” Ayala explained. “This leads us to speculate that even though both drugs bind to the same receptor in the feeding centers of the brain, they activate different molecular mechanisms in cells of the brain and this eventually results in different effects on food intake, and therefore, weight loss.”

As Ayala’s team continues to explore the mechanism of action, they hope to identify the critical steps that lead to the reduction in food intake. “Obesity is a leading risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes. If we can discover the steps that GLP-1 analogs engage to promote weight loss, then drugs can be designed to specifically target these steps. This would provide a new avenue for designing drugs to treat obesity,” Ayala added, “and that could deliver a greater benefit to diabetes patients and contribute to decreasing the rise in Type 2 diabetes. We are excited to see the possibilities.”

Dr. Julio Ayala is an assistant professor at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Research Institute in Lake Nona, Fla and a recipient of an American Diabetes Association research award.

This post was written by Jing Ping Lu, PhD, a post-doctoral associate in Dr. Rastinejad’s lab in Lake Nona.

Institute News

A day in the life of a cancer researcher

AuthorGuest Blogger
Date

October 29, 2015

This story was written by Petrus De Jong, MD, PhD

I hear noise from our boys’ room but decide to check my e-mail first. Waking up in Pacific Time means that e-mails from other time zones are already piling up. Breakfast for everyone and black coffee for me are the next priority.

With the sun roof open, it is only a short commute to Sanford Burnham Prebys. Along the way I pass miles of Pacific coastline, as well as the sites where decades of scientific discoveries have modernized health care. The drive takes less than fifteen minutes, but my personal road to becoming a medical researcher spans almost 15 years. Being part of SBP’s scientific community now, at the frontier of modern medical science, is a real privilege.

While the computer is starting up, I put on my white lab coat to check the cancer cell lines that we have growing for our experimental drug tests. Our lab, led by Prof. Garth Powis, is focused on finding new types of therapeutics for cancer based on unique vulnerabilities of tumor cells. Although it might sound strange, we have to be sure our cancer cells are ‘healthy’ enough for our experiments. We know every detail of their normal shape and growth pattern. I glance through the microscope and know that the cells are good for our next experiment.

lab

Today I am testing the specificity of new drugs that are designed to cut the fuel supply of rapidly growing tumor cells. We can measure whether our new compounds are hitting their target with high precision by using some genetic tricks. If the tricks work, the cancer cells will glow a green color in the dark. I turn off the lights, then turn on the fluorescent laser and look through the microscope. The cells light up in neon green—part one of the experiment worked! The next step is to test whether the drugs have an effect on tumor cell growth.

cancer-cells

Cancer research is teamwork. Today’s experiment was designed based on the work of chemists from Texas (UT Austin), together with protein biologists and medical biologists from SBP. After I put the cells back in the incubator, I grab my notebook and knock on Dr. Powis’ door—even though it’s already open. We have a conference call today with our collaborators to discuss the latest results and future directions. During the technical discussion, I realize that our drug not only has the potential to target and kill cancer cells, but has taught us things we never knew about how normal and tumor cells regulate their energy needs. And this is important, because the more we understand about the fundamental processes that cells use to get energy, the greater the number of opportunities.

Everyone is anxious to hear the results of the next round of experiments and after refueling with a strong espresso, I return to the lab. I am testing two different drugs on the green cells. One of the drugs is bright yellow, the other is colorless. After carefully preparing various drug concentrations, they are added to the cells which then go back into the incubator. It will take 24 hours before I know the results.

I carefully write down the details of today’s experiment in my lab notebook. The remainder of the day is taken up analyzing experimental data, generating figures for publication, preparing for the next lab meeting, sending requests to speakers for upcoming events, and more. Before turning off my computer, I write down my to-do list for tomorrow. I will first check the results from today’s experiment realizing I am not the only one eager to learn about the results.

Finally I hang up my lab coat, hoping to be one step closer to new cures for tomorrow.

Institute News

New STRIVE awards announced

Authorsgammon
Date

October 8, 2015

“The STRIVE award is providing funds that allow us to accelerate the testing of a new hypothesis that connects the microbiome, epigenetics, and colorectal cancer.”        

          –Alex Strongin, PhD professor in the Bioinformatics and Structural Biology Program at SBP. Continue reading “New STRIVE awards announced”

Institute News

2015 Fishman Fund Award recipients honored

Authorsgammon
Date

October 5, 2015

The 2015 Fishman Fund Award recipients were honored at an October 1 gathering of Sanford Burnham Prebys (SBP) supporters that celebrated the enduring legacy of the Institute’s founders, Dr. William and Lillian Fishman.

Continue reading “2015 Fishman Fund Award recipients honored”