Fernanda Medeiros Contini

IMPORTANT VOCAB

A researcher is anyone who works with research. A research assistant is a specific role in a lab where you can work under a PI and join a project of a grad student or post doc. Grad students have more freedom to choose their own project, and are expected to know more and to have a thesis. Post doc, PhD individuals have a lot of freedom, but still work under a PI. Afterwards, you can apply for a faculty position and be a PI, where you can have your own lab, choose the direction of your research and are responsible for getting your own grants.

PI - Principal Investigator

PiNBAC - Program in Neuroscience Post-Baccalaureate

What is an overview of your career?

"My Job is to study how the cells (neurons) in the brain connect to each other. Mainly how the brain works, how to navigate and place yourself in the world."

What do you do on a daily basis in your job? What are the skills that you utilize?

"I study the fruit fly brain, and the lab mainly focuses on the central complex, which is a specific part of the brain. The processes that we study often start from the central complex then make their way through/to other parts of the brain. We genetically modify fruit flies to show/highlight the specific neurons that we would like to focus on. We genetically modify flies by breeding them, and we have a huge database to find specific flies (different genotypes and chromosomes). We use the GAL4-UAS System when studying flies.

Lab skills can be learned as you go, and it is not expected to come in already possessing them. However, in the lab, communication, asking questions, not being afraid to ask ‘dumb’ questions, are very important qualities and skills. You also need to be motivated and be able to stay on top of things (being directed), and be able to stay motivated even when you can’t see results. We are all diverse and have different strengths and weaknesses, so there’s no specific ‘recipe’ to become successful. However, one of the most important skills you will definitely need is resilience. When you fail, just try again, and always use your experiences to learn skills, and bring those skills into the lab."

When did you first get interested in this career/career path? 

"I first got interested when I got exposed to a lab setting and research. I started doing it as a requirement for college, and I didn’t really understand it at first. However, as I continued, I found it very interesting that one question leads to another, like ‘Oh this is interesting, what if we do this? What happens if we do this?’ So, I decided to pursue a career in research."

What did you do in order to pursue your career path? When you faced challenges, what kept you going? 

"I participated in PiNBAC, which is a specific program in Harvard that hires us as research assistants to get the experience in the research field. Most of PiNBAC is women, because it focuses mainly on the underrepresented.

I’m a religious person, so a lot of my resilience comes from God, and He helps me maintain my groundedness. What also helps with motivation is looking ahead, rather than at the difficult present. Don’t focus on how the lab’s not working, think about your goals, your wants, what you want to accomplish. Something I had to learn was ‘Just because it’s not working, it doesn't mean I’m a failure.’ So, something that I focused on was ‘I want to know more, and I want to get a PhD.’"

What is some advice you have for High Schoolers looking to pursue this career/career path?

"Look to the future, and keep your goals in mind. However, this doesn’t mean not living in the present. You should do what you are passionate about, but also keep an eye open for opportunities that will benefit your future."

As a woman in STEM, what are some (if any) difficulties you’ve faced because of your identity as a woman? Because of your identity as Latina?

"I’ve been very fortunate to not have encountered anything directly. I have the same wage and salary as my coworkers. One thing I have noticed however, is that research uses many more male mice than female ones, and there are a lot of differences that can be very important and impactful. It’s also harder for a woman to work when you have a family, so I do wish there was more explicit support and generalized support and understanding.

In terms of my Latina identity, I have faced discrimination indirectly in the sense that I don’t have as much experience. I didn’t have the experiences and opportunities that most others had growing up in the US."

How many women do you work with on a daily basis? On an average project?

"50% of my lab are women, and I’m very fortunate in my lab to have such diversity. I’m also very grateful to have a PI that is a woman."

What kind of obstacles/work did you overcome in order to get to the position you are in now?

"The language barrier was very difficult. I did speak English before, but I hadn’t ever been immersed in the culture. It was als very difficult, because I struggled a lot with not knowing what to do. There are many differences in culture and education systems, and I didn’t have many connections, so I had to figure everything out myself. In order to combat my lack of knowledge and connections, I talked to more professionals, and I pieced the information they gave me together. A lot of it was advocating for myself, and I was actively looking for help, information, and opportunities."

What do you recommend others should do if they are looking for a similar profession/job?

"Something I did was that I applied to PiNBac. It was a difficult choice because of low self esteem, but I basically told myself "there’s nothing to lose" and applied anyway. 

I believe that students should be aware of opportunities, and apply to them."

What do you wish you knew before starting your journey into STEM?

"I wish I knew to enjoy things rather than worry about things. I learned that you should sometimes just give it time. You will learn and get where you need to go. No one knows everything, so make the most out of school, and explore careers and professions. Don’t be scared of changes, and this means that you shouldn’t limit what opportunities you choose just because you think you already know what you want."

Would you recommend your profession to students?

"I would say just try it, don’t be scared of changes. You can always try it, and if you don’t like it, you can just choose something else. After All, who knows, you might just like it."

Editor: Jieling Pua