Ambition, curiosity, enthusiasm… that is what it takes to be a successful MSCA applicant!

Marta Giacomello is an assistant professor of Biochemistry and MSCA IF Supervisor at the University of Padua. We asked her to tell us something more about being a mentor and some tips for future MSCA PF candidates. 

Marta Giacomello is an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at the Department of Biology. Since 2016, her laboratory is interested in investigating the consequences of mitochondria-ER contact changes in pathophysiological models.
She obtained her PhD at the University of Padua and then worked in different Labs, studying the signalling pathways of Huntington’s Disease, Malignant hyperthermia, hereditary deafness and paving the way for hypothesis on the genesis of the Alzheimer’s Disease.
In 2005 she flew to San Diego to work in the lab of R.Y. Tsien, 2008 Nobel prize in Chemistry, where she contributed to the generation of new Ca2+ indicators.
She had other experiences in Padua and Geneva, where her work has represented a milestone in the mitochondria research field.
Dr. Giacomello acts as Supervisor of MSCA IF Fellow Tomas Knedlik for the project “Chemical compounds targeting MERCs: identification of their partners in physiological and pathological conditions".

Interview:

Prof Giacomello, could you briefly explain your main research field? What you are working on?  

My research interests can be divided in 3 main categories: (i) exploring the contribution of the interplay among intracellular organelles to tissue physiology/pathology; (ii) development of fluorescence protein-based probes; (iii) high content microscopy. 

You are Tomas Knedlik’s Supervisor, he is a researcher who has been awarded a MSCA Individual Fellowship. How did you “meet” him? Why did you decide to collaborate with him to realize his project idea and to support his application for a MSCA Individual Fellowship?

I started to search for collaborators in 2018, right after receiving the STARS @Unipd grant, and sent to several colleagues both in Italy and abroad some advertisements. Tomas read the job posting and, after a while, he contacted me: since our first skype call, we realized we had complementary expertise, which we could put together to pursue a new research project. It was immediately clear to me that Tomas had a serious, responsible and strong problem-solving attitude, which makes him an ideal collaborator. 

What tips would you like to share with a researcher who is thinking of applying for an international research project?

Be ambitious, and curious: you will need a lot of enthusiasm to pursue your research project! Also, talk to your senior colleagues: scientific discussion with more experienced people will help a lot in finding the pros and cons of your research strategies and in writing a successful proposal.

Would you suggest your colleagues to have an experience as Supervisor of an MSCA fellow? Why?

I would definitely recommend to engage in a Supervisor’s role. Being a MSCA Supervisor is an honor as well as a huge responsibility. While improving your leadership abilities, you will have the chance to contribute to the successful development of the career of junior colleagues.