Advancing science takes all kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds. Join us for The Science Life, an illustrated series that explores the lived experiences of people working in brain research: the human moments of tragedy and triumph that define what it means to be a scientist and how science is done.
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How do philosophy and science come together for this scholar thinking about behavior? Meet Nedah Nemati, PhD, Presidential Scholar in Society and Neuroscience.
How did a child fascinated by space become a PhD who studies the brain? Meet Erfan Zabeh, a graduate student in the Gottlieb lab.
How did studying tomatoes lead this teenager to build tools for exploring the brain? Meet Eunji Kong, PhD, a postdoctoral research scientist in the Losonczy lab.
What can we learn about the brain from aquatic animals? Meet Joshua Barber, Senior Manager of Aquatic & Reptilian Life.
How does this scientist tackle overlooked women's health issues? Meet Nour El Houda Mimouni, PhD, a postdoctoral research scientist in the Marlin lab.
How did a postdoc harness the power of community during the pandemic? Meet Grace Shin, PhD, a former associate research scientist in the Grueber lab.
How did working with a veterinarian lead this animal care expert to research? Meet Marlon Lowe, Senior Director of Husbandry Operations at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute.
How does this scientist compare Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the human brain? Meet Heiko Schütt, PhD, a postdoctoral research scientist in the Kriegeskorte lab.
How did a child fascinated by architecture turn to mapping the structure of the brain? Meet Emily Parker, PhD, a postdoctoral research scientist in the Gogos & Peterka labs.
How did a rock concert set a teen on a path to science? Meet Diana Li, PhD, associate director of education and training initiatives.
How did this skateboarding drummer discover a passion for fruit fly genetics? Meet Davys Lopez, a graduate student in the Mann Lab.
How is this science major from the Bronx helping to nurture the next generation of researchers? Meet Ikenna Nebo, a public engagement officer in the Public Programs team.
How did contracting COVID compel a physicist to study the senses? Meet Andrew Po Fung Liu, a graduate student in the Behnia Lab.
How did a movie put a curious Tennessean on the path to science? Meet Jacob Edwards, a graduate student in the Woolley Lab.
How did science help a researcher to see the world? Meet Javier Domínguez Zamora, PhD, a postdoctoral research scientist in the Gottlieb Lab.
How did a physicist decide to study the brain over lunch? Meet Valeria Fascianelli, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Theoretical Neuroscience.
How did a student studying cancer switch to brain research? Meet Anastasia Zavitsanou, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Abdus-Saboor Lab.
Why is a behavioral neuroscientist studying genes to understand pain and addiction? Meet Andre Toussaint, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Abdus-Saboor Lab.
How did a PhD candidate connect students from underrepresented backgrounds to neuroscience? Meet Kimberly Hernandez Palacios, a PhD student at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute.
How did the owner of a coffee shop in a neuroscience institute help Ukraine overseas? Meet Zachary Sharaga, owner of Dear Mama.
What is life like for a pair of new professors? Meet Chris Rodgers and Anita Devineni, former postdocs at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute, now assistant professors at Emory University.
How does a science matchmaker help researchers get funding to answer deep questions about the brain? Meet Arthur Uhimov, Director of Pre-Award and Research Development.
How do social justice issues inform a research technician designing new experiments with mice? Meet Jared Boyce, Research Technician in the Abdus-Saboor Lab.
How is one neuroscientist bridging math and art to make research more inclusive? Meet Kanaka Rajan, PhD, a Visiting Professor (from Mt. Sinai) atthe Center for Theoretical Neuroscience.
How did an early mentor inspire a future leader in neuroscience? Meet Rui Costa, DVM, PhD, Director and CEO of Columbia's Zuckerman Institute.
Follow one Nobel laureate’s journey into the science of mind. Meet Eric Kandel, MD, a co-director of Columbia’s Zuckerman Institute.
How does a multilingual Indian family shape a scientist's interests? Meet Arnav Raha, Lab Manager in the Gadakar Lab.
How did science become a safe space for a girl kicked out of class for asking too many questions? Meet Dana Crawford, PhD, Scholar-in-Residence at the Zuckerman Institute.
How is an expert in aquariums helping cuttlefish to feel at home in the lab? Meet Connor Gibbons, Cephalopods Facility Manager in the Axel Lab.
What is a neuroscientist who studies adolescents teaching the legal system? Meet Katie Insel, PhD, a postdoctoral research scientist in the Shohamy Lab.
Why does a research technician’s work to repurpose drugs remind her of her grandmother? Meet Amy Vo, research technician in the Mason-Dodd Lab.
How does neuroscience prepare you to go to space? Meet Eugenie Peze-Heidsieck, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in the Polleux Lab in the running to become an astronaut.
How do neuroscience research and a family legacy intersect for a research technician? Meet Alexis Kim, research technician in the Marlin Lab.
How did being an Emergency Research Technician inspire a teen to study pain? Meet Phalaen Chang, undergraduate research assistant in the Abdus-Saboor Lab.
How did a life at sea lead an engineer to neuroscience? Meet Mike Haeser, Director of District Energy Systems for Manhattanvile Operations, at Columbia University Facilities and Operations.
How did a neurodiverse family shape a scientist's interest in the brain? Meet Andrès Villegas, a graduate student in the Siegelbaum Lab.
What happened when one woman went back to school for science in her forties? Meet Jennifer Scribner, a graduate student in the Axel Lab.
How did a space-exploring father inspire his son to investigate the brain? Meet Abbas Rizvi, PhD, associate research scientist.
How does a scientist who injured her back think about chronic pain in the brain? Meet Erica Rodriguez, PhD, postdoctoral research fellow in the Salzman Lab.
How did one scientist change one young New Yorker's life? Meet Ed Johnson, Assistant Director of Procurements and Accounts Payable.
How did a hurricane and floods lead to a career in science for a teen from the bronx? Meet Kerel Francis, lab manager & research assistant in the Bendesky Lab.
What does a middle child and stand-up comic study about the brain? Meet Shivani Bigler, a graduate student in the Siegelbaum Lab.
How did video games put a child on the path to neuroscience? Meet Marissa Applegate, a graduate student in the Aronov Lab.