Meet Mateus Milani of the University of Liverpool (UK). The PhD student is a member of Shankar Varadarajan's lab in the Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine with the Institute of Translational Medicine. Mateus made his first visit to CSHL to attend the 2017 Cell Death meeting.
What are your research interests? What are you working on?
Our lab is interested in studying the mechanisms by which cells can undergo apoptosis (a programmed form of cell death). We want to understand how key proteins that control apoptosis can be exploited as targets for cancer therapy. Currently, I am working on how to optimally target these proteins in several kinds of cancer and determining the cellular consequences of targeting them for cancer therapy, such as changes in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum.
Was there something specific about the Cell Death meeting that drew you to apply?
The caliber of the speakers and research from by the community made for an excellent motive to attend the meeting.
What is your key takeaway from the meeting?
In order to provide an ideal treatment for cancer patients, we still have a lot to do and understand about cell death. We have to put our efforts together in a collaborative way so as to greatly improve people's life and make good science.
If someone curious in attending a future Cell Death meeting asked you for feedback or advice on it, what would you tell him/her?
Be prepared to be amazed: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is based in an astonishing location surrounded by nature and beautiful views. On top of that, the meeting gathers the very best in the field who present their most advanced discoveries. The combination cannot go wrong: having good ideas and feedback in a beautiful place is all a researcher can ask for.
What do you like most about your time at CSHL?
The Laboratory is a natural spectacle and walking around it is just so calming and beautiful. The gardens and art scattered throughout campus are delightful, and the beach is an added bonus.
Thank you to Mateus 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.