Beyond the bench
Portraits of neuroscientists’ lives outside the lab
Improvising to study brains in the wild: Q&A with Nacho Sanguinetti-Scheck
A joke at a neuroscience summer program nearly a decade ago ignited a lifelong research interest for this Uruguayan scientist—one that plays on his comedic strengths.
![Neuroscientist Nacho Sanguinetti deadpanning the camera as he sits at his desk with a photo cutout of an agouti on his computer.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Sanguinetti-computer-1200-1024x692.webp)
Improvising to study brains in the wild: Q&A with Nacho Sanguinetti-Scheck
A joke at a neuroscience summer program nearly a decade ago ignited a lifelong research interest for this Uruguayan scientist—one that plays on his comedic strengths.
Climbing to new heights: Q&A with Kaspar Podgorski
The optical physiologist tracks neural computations inside the lab and scales sheer rock faces outside—even after a life-changing fall.
![Portrait of Kaspar Podgorski standing in his lab wearing a helmet with a climbing rope over his shoulder.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/KasparPodgorski-lede-1200-landscape-1024x683.webp)
Climbing to new heights: Q&A with Kaspar Podgorski
The optical physiologist tracks neural computations inside the lab and scales sheer rock faces outside—even after a life-changing fall.
Striking a pose with Aya Osman
The neuroscientist and part-time fashion model opens up about the people who inspire her; her interest in science communication; and how she once ended up on a stage with Channing Tatum.
![A photograph of researcher Aya Osman](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Aya-Osman-lede-horizontal-1200-1024x692.webp)
Striking a pose with Aya Osman
The neuroscientist and part-time fashion model opens up about the people who inspire her; her interest in science communication; and how she once ended up on a stage with Channing Tatum.
Decoding flies’ motor control with acrobat-scientist Eugenia Chiappe
The tiny performers steal the show in Chiappe’s sensorimotor-integration lab in Lisbon, Portugal.
![Photograph of Eugenia Chiappe jumping inside a glass hallway.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EugeniaChiappe-lede-1200-1024x692.webp)
Decoding flies’ motor control with acrobat-scientist Eugenia Chiappe
The tiny performers steal the show in Chiappe’s sensorimotor-integration lab in Lisbon, Portugal.
Leaving lasting marks with Tessa Montague
When the postdoctoral fellow is not deconstructing cuttlefish camouflage and dodging ink squirts in the lab, you can find her teaching neuroscience courses in correctional facilities, mentoring high school biology students in Ghana and helping to launch DNA experiments into space.
![Portrait of scientist Tessa Montague standing next to an aquatic tank. A spray of black ink shoots onto her lab coat from off-camera.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Tessa-Montague-inking-1200-1024x683.png)
Leaving lasting marks with Tessa Montague
When the postdoctoral fellow is not deconstructing cuttlefish camouflage and dodging ink squirts in the lab, you can find her teaching neuroscience courses in correctional facilities, mentoring high school biology students in Ghana and helping to launch DNA experiments into space.
Into the woods with Susan Masino
When she isn't researching the links between metabolism and brain activity, this neuroscientist logs time in forests and advocates for protecting green spaces.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Susan-Masino-1200-1024x692.webp)
Into the woods with Susan Masino
When she isn't researching the links between metabolism and brain activity, this neuroscientist logs time in forests and advocates for protecting green spaces.
On the high seas with Florian Engert and Bence Ölveczky
The two neuroscientists leave this week to take on the most dangerous leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race — sailing from South Africa to Australia through the fabled “Roaring Forties,” latitudes of the Southern Ocean known for their towering waves and prevailing gale-force westerlies.
![Florian Engert and Bence Ölveczky in a lab.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/OlveczkyEngert-neuroscience-sailing-lede-811-1024x692.jpg)
On the high seas with Florian Engert and Bence Ölveczky
The two neuroscientists leave this week to take on the most dangerous leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race — sailing from South Africa to Australia through the fabled “Roaring Forties,” latitudes of the Southern Ocean known for their towering waves and prevailing gale-force westerlies.
Beyond the bench: At school with Verónica Martínez Cerdeño
Spectrum caught up with the University of California, Davis professor about her passion for volunteering in underserved schools, birding and fossil-hunting.
![Autism researcher Veronica Martinez Cereno holds a brain in her lab.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Cerdeno-Autism-brain-cc-844.jpg)
Beyond the bench: At school with Verónica Martínez Cerdeño
Spectrum caught up with the University of California, Davis professor about her passion for volunteering in underserved schools, birding and fossil-hunting.
Beyond the bench: Finding solitude with Jill Silverman
The people-focused researcher shares her secrets to carving out time for grant writing, creating work-life balance and letting go of unread emails.
![Jill Silverman sits at her desk with her dog.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/cc-lede-844-jill-silverman-autism-research-beyond-the-bench.png)
Beyond the bench: Finding solitude with Jill Silverman
The people-focused researcher shares her secrets to carving out time for grant writing, creating work-life balance and letting go of unread emails.
Beyond the bench: Finding balance with Gavin Rumbaugh
Rumbaugh, who studies how the autism-linked gene SYNGAP1 shapes brain development, describes how he has embraced coastal living and which aspects of his career he wouldn’t do over.
![Gavin Rumbaugh stands on a beach with his family: his wife, dog and child.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/844-lede-gavin-rumbaugh-autism-research.jpg)
Beyond the bench: Finding balance with Gavin Rumbaugh
Rumbaugh, who studies how the autism-linked gene SYNGAP1 shapes brain development, describes how he has embraced coastal living and which aspects of his career he wouldn’t do over.
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.