Meet Judith Ronau of Yale University. Judy is a postdoc in Mark Hochstrasser's lab and a CSHL first-timer. She is on campus for The Ubiquitin Family meeting and shares amazing feedback about the meeting and why you should attend its next iteration in 2019. 

What are you working on?
I am working on a bacterial protein that induces sterility in insects. In particular, I am focused on studying its biochemical and structural properties.

What is your key takeaway from the Meeting?
A lot of spectacular science has been discussed, but in my opinion, one of the most exciting new directions in the ubiquitin research field has to be ubiquitination independent of the E1, E2, E3 enzymes (+ATP) in the canonical pathway. This fascinating work has been discussed so far by Chitta Das and Sagar Bhogaraju, with a third presentation from Ivan Dikic today! I was also thoroughly impressed with the work from Kylie Walters' lab in mapping ubiquitin binding sites at the proteasome!

Was there something specific about The Ubiquitin Family meeting that drew you to attend?
Having recently entered the ubiquitin research field after doing my PhD on a metabolic metalloenzyme, I wanted to come to this meeting to see what everyone is up to and make some solid connections. Also, this is the perfect opportunity to give a talk on my work and catch up with old friends.

If someone curious in attending this meeting asked you for feedback or advice on it, what would you tell him/her?
COME TO THIS MEETING!! There is a lot of interesting ubiquitin related research in a focused environment. Plus, the setting at CSHL is amazing. Every scientist dreams of coming here.

What do you like most about your time at CSHL?
It is really special just being here to appreciate the history of this place and seeing all of the pictures of legendary scientists in the bar. I have also really enjoyed strolling around the campus.

Thank you to Judy for being this week's featured visitor. To meet other featured scientists - and discover the wide range of science that takes part in a CSHL meeting or course – go here.