Profile
Melanie Stefan
Well done David! And thanks to everyone for making I'm a Scientist so much fun! Students, if you have more specific questions, you can get in touch on http://www.its.caltech.edu/~mstefan/
My CV
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Education:
1987-1991: Primary school in Hallein-Burgfried (Austria), 1991-1999 secondary school in Hallein (also in Austria)
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Qualifications:
1991-2005: Maths and Genetics (up to MSc) at the University of Salzburg (Austria) and for a bit at Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic). 2005-2009: PhD in Bioinformatics at Cambridge University
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Work History:
During school and the first years of Uni, I have worked in all kinds of jobs, including as a waitress, page-turner, tourist guide and proof-reader for a stamp collector’s catalogue. As a scientist, I have worked in labs in Israel and Poland (for internships), Germany (for my MSc thesis), England (for my PhD) and Japan (as a visiting scientist)
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Current Job:
Postdoc
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Read more
When we learn something, connections between nerve cells in the brain get stronger. I am looking at the proteins in the brain that are responsible for this strengthening: How do they do it, what kind of signal do they need to start working, how do they know when it’s enough, how do they compete with other proteins, how are they regulated? For my PhD, I have done computer models that look a these questions. Now, however, I have moved to an actual lab with actual benches, white coats and chemical cupboards, so I can do experimental tests that complement my computer modelling! This is very exciting, although, at the moment, I spend more time learning the actual experimental methods than doing “real” research.
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My Typical Day:
experiments, computer work, reading and the occasional coffee break
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Read more
Get in at around 10 – plan the day ahead, check work e-mails – read a bit of scientific literature – start my labwork or computer simulations – have lunch (if there is time) – write up some results – continue with my labwork – clean up the lab (!) – summarise the day’s results – go home (between 6pm and 1am, depending on the experiment)
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What I'd do with the prize money:
going to a school for an arts & science project: How to model/visualise biological systems
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
chocolate-loving geek
Were you ever in trouble at school?
I always had good marks, but I got into trouble for talking back to teachers. My mark for conduct in the classroom was often the worst on my school reports.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Regina Spektor at the moment, but it changes all the time.
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
seeing my friends and family more often, becoming a professor, and learning to read and write Japanese
Tell us a joke.
I’m not good with jokes. Look at this instead: http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=1221
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