Skills & Qualifications • Ability to work independently and efficiently. • Strong organizational and task prioritization skills. • Excellent communication skills and proficiency in performing administrative and clerical tasks. • Proficient in general laboratory procedures
techniques
and documentation. • Willingness to learn and adapt to new techniques and technologies. • Fluent in English
Spanish
French
and Catalan. • Proficient in statistical analysis and software such as SPSS
MATLAB
and Python. • Proficient in using various software programs
including Microsoft Office Suite (Word
Excel
PowerPoint). • Advanced knowledge and experience in 3D cell culture techniques. • Skilled in protein isolation
Western Blot
PCR
rt-qPCR
toxicity testing
IHC
Northern Blot
and ELISA. • Proficient in anatomical dissection studies for medical and veterinary purposes. • Experienced in static analysis of behavioral data and microarray data. • Familiarity with electrophysiology
imaging
protein purification
and optical and electron microscopy techniques. • Advanced level proficiency in conducting animal experiments
behavioral experiments
anatomical dissection
and molecular analysis. 1. Communication Effective communication is essential to build strong relationships with colleagues
clients and stakeholders. Not only does this involve the ability to convey messages in a clear and compelling way
but also the ability to understand the needs of others and respond to feedback. Employers want people who can build professional relationships with colleagues
which is especially important when working with teams. Communication is often evaluated in the workplace through informal feedback
such as verbal or written comments from colleagues and supervisors. An alternative method is a formal evaluation or assessment. The ability to communicate effectively is often considered a critical component of professional success
and is highly valued by employers in a wide range of industries and professions. Here are some examples of communication skills: Active listening Verbal communication Nonverbal communication Written communication Presentation skills 2. Leadership A good leader has the ability to inspire their team to achieve greatness. They are able to set a clear vision
communicate it effectively and create a culture of accountability and excellence. More importantly
they’re able to inspire and influence team members to achieve shared goals and objectives. The ability to lead effectively is often considered a critical component of professional success
and is highly valued by employers in a wide range of industries and professions. Because most employees work in teams
leadership is widely recognized as a critical attribute for success in the modern workplace. Here are some examples of leadership skills: Problem-solving Coaching and mentoring Management Strategic thinking 3. Teamwork Teamwork involves the ability to work with others toward a shared goal. It requires communication
collaboration and a shared commitment to work in a group. Individuals who are able to work collaboratively with others are more likely to achieve their professional goals
and to contribute to the success of their organizations. In a professional setting
good teamwork can help to foster creativity and innovation because it encourages members to share ideas
brainstorm new solutions and collaborate on new initiatives. Working as part of a collaborative team can also enhance job satisfaction and contribute to a positive work environment. Here are some examples of teamwork skills: Conflict resolution Mediation Accountability Collaboration 4. Creativity Creativity involves the ability to think outside the box and come up with ideas that challenge assumptions. Needless to say
it requires a mindset of curiosity
risk-taking and a willingness to embrace ambiguity and uncertainty. On another front
creativity is essential for effective problem-solving
meaning it allows individuals to tackle issues from new and different angles. Creative individuals also give organizations a competitive edge by enabling them to develop new products and systems that set them apart from their competition. Here are some examples of creative skills: Brainstorming Imagination Curiosity Experimentation 5. Time management Time management involves the ability to set priorities
organize tasks and allot time across different activities. It requires discipline and a willingness to avoid distractions and low-priority tasks. Naturally
good time management skills can help individuals avoid the stress and anxiety that can arise from missed deadlines. But more importantly
those who can manage their time effectively are more likely to be seen as reliable and efficient
which allows them to stand out in the workplace. Here are some examples of time management skills: Planning Goal-setting Delegation Time blocking 6. Adaptability In today’s rapidly changing business landscape
adaptability is a key soft skill that enables individuals to stay ahead of the curve. An employee with this skill can adjust to changing circumstances
for example
and learn new skills and technologies to remain relevant in the workplace. Because it’s impossible to avoid unexpected challenges
having adaptable employees allows organizations to bounce back from setbacks much faster. Plus
they can also read situations quickly and adjust their approach to adapt based on the situation. Here are some examples of adaptability skills: Flexibility Resilience Growth mindset Analysis 7. Problem-solving Problem-solving involves the ability to come up with alternative solutions. This skill is crucial to identifying and addressing complex challenges and opportunities in a variety of contexts. Problem-solving also makes it easier to make more informed decisions because employees are able to analyze situations and identify the best course of action. As a result
teams are able to get more done in less time. Here are some examples of problem-solving skills: Critical thinking Analysis Strategic thinking Initiative 8. Work ethic Work ethic demonstrates an individual’s commitment to their job. Having a strong work ethic makes you seem more reliable and dependable
which improves your credibility in the workplace. There are a lot of ways to demonstrate a strong work ethic. Some examples include arriving on time for meetings
meeting deadlines consistently and being accountable for your actions. If you encounter any challenges in the workplace
you should also maintain a positive demeanor and adapt to changing situations. Here are some examples of work ethic skills: Punctuality Reliability Professionalism Discipline 9. Critical thinking Critical thinking enables individuals to approach problems and challenges with a strategic and analytical mindset. When making informed decisions
this skill allows you to weigh available options and consider potential outcomes. A critical thinker can evaluate the strength of arguments and identify flaws in reasoning. They consider multiple perspectives
which makes them more likely to pinpoint the short-term and long-term consequences of their decisions. Additionally
they can also identify the root cause of a problem and generate multiple solutions. Here are some examples of critical thinking skills: Analysis Evaluation Deductive reasoning Synthesis 10. Conflict management Not every employee can get along with colleagues every time. As a team tackles obstacles
conflict and opposing ideas could arise every now and then. Conflict management is the process of addressing disputes or disagreements in a constructive and effective manner. Often
this requires good communication skills
active listening
empathy
negotiation skills and a willingness to collaborate and find common ground. When managing conflict
it is important to identify common goals and interests for all parties involved. This can help to establish a sense of unity and collaboration
and even lead to better outcomes for everyone involved. Being open to different ideas and perspectives can also make individuals feel motivated to work towards resolution. Here are some examples of conflict management skills: Empathy Negotiation Mediation Conflict resolution 11. Emotional intelligence Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognize and understand one’s own emotions and those of others. In today’s collaborative work environments
this skill enables employees to navigate complex social dynamics and work effectively within teams. It also allows them to provide constructive feedback in a way that is sensitive to the emotions of others
leading to more successful outcomes and stronger relationships. Effective leaders often have the ability to motivate others and navigate challenging situations with grace and empathy. Here are some examples of conflict management skills: Self-awareness Empathy Social skills Motivation Bottom Line In the modern workplace
employers seek candidates who possess technical expertise and soft skills that enable them to thrive in a collaborative work environment. Soft skills such as communication
teamwork
creativity
adaptability
problem-solving
work ethic
critical thinking and conflict management can be developed and honed over time. While it is important for individuals to continue to build their technical expertise
developing soft skills can ultimately set you apart in the workplace and lead to long-term success. SCIENCE DOESN'T HAPPEN IN A VACUUM We are lucky to have some of the most exciting jobs in the world! We get to make discoveries about the biological world
we get to invent things
and we get to engage with new theories and ideas. At times science can also be frustrating. Experiments will fail
things will break
there will be bugs (so many bugs). Science happens within the social
personal
cultural and political contexts that shape us. That stuff doesn't go away when we pick up the pipette. Our mission as a lab is to do great
impactful
and meaningful work that will push the boundaries of inquiry forward. It is also to put our values and ethics to practice in our own lab culture
the scientific community broadly
as well as how we confront societal issues and injustices. There is no one right way to be a scientist
but there are core values and practices that I expect all of my fellow lab members to uphold: WHAT WE CAN EXPECT OF EACH OTHER Communication. Teams work best when communication is open. Communicate early and often with your fellow lab members. Above all
I expect you to tell me what you need to thrive. Open science. Preprints
readable code
reagents -- our science makes greater impact when it is shared and used! Comment your code. Keep a better lab notebook than I do (not hard). Accountability and respect for each other. This extends outside of the lab too -- acknowledge all the folks
scientific and beyond
who make our work possible. Listen
be humble. Respect for the organisms we study. We acknowledge our responsibility to care for and maximize what can be learned from the organisms or samples we use. Pay it forward. Work together
help each other
teach what you know. Part of becoming a leader is developing the skills to transfer what you've learned to someone else. Being a mentor is a privilege. Mentor the next rising stars and take pride in their successes. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME No matter your career stage
my job is to support you as you develop your scientific vision. You can expect me to show up for you as a mentor
ally
and advocate. You can also expect me to ensure that we all work in a safe
respectful
and welcoming environment. NEW WAYS OF STUDYING MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR DIVERSITY We identify regulatory elements such as enhancers from single cell ATAC-seq and use these in viral vectors (AAVs) to drive or manipulate expression in specific cell types. We use species-comparative approaches to better understand the evolution of genome regulation in brain cell types. WHEN AND HOW NEOCORTICAL SPECIALIZATIONS EMERGE Why do the expanded territories of association cortex in the human brain come to preferentially interconnect with one another across long distances? What is the cellular basis for this network architecture and how does it support specialized functions? Unlike primary sensory cortex – which receives sensory information via the thalamus and contains a largely ascending series of local projections – association cortical regions receive input from higher-order thalamic nuclei. We investigate whether and how the rules that govern neocortical development in mice extend to primate neurodevelopment. A CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR ATLAS OF THE MARMOSET BRAIN We are developing a comprehensive map of molecular and cellular diversity that will serve as a reference for neurodevelopmental studies or for effects of genetic perturbation. Along the way
we are learning about the surprisingly lively ways that cell types specialize and evolve across individuals
species
and brain structures. FUNCTIONAL SPECIALIZATION How do molecular specializations enable unique cognitive and social capacities? We are particularly interested in the emergence of genetically-encoded social behaviors. We use what we’ve learned – from gene expression and from genome regulation across species – to gain a comparative perspective on unique aspects of social behavior
as well as inform models of human neurodevelopmental disorders. Our lab uses modern anatomic
molecular and analytic techniques to shed new light on old problems: which innovations that have accumulated along mammalian lineages enable higher cognitive function
and which variants lead to brain disease? Our research (1) develops new tools and approaches to study cell types in non-model systems
(2) characterizes developmental processes that lead to primate brain specializations and (3) applies scalable molecular analyses of disease relevant mutations to inform models of human brain function and disorder.