Interview with tomorrow's #F1000talks host Kirsten Lee

Kirsten LeeF1000 Specialist Kirsten Lee is the host of our next #F1000talks tweetchat, which takes place tomorrow (Wednesday April 15), 1 PM EST/6 PM GMT on the @F1000 channel. Here we get to know a little more about her.

Kirsten is a neuroscientist, an F1000 Specialist, a beginner cyclist, and a foursquare super user. Currently, she’s a postdoctoral fellow at the City University of New York, where she’s investigating the neurotransmitter glutamate’s role in transporter-mediated synaptic clearance. Previously she established the microfluidics system for Ca2+ imaging in immobilized worm neurons at the same institution. Kirsten’s aim is to get into clinical trials management and work for a specialty pharmaceutical company.

Since she started her work as an F1000 Specialist, Kirsten has realized how much detail goes into product development. “I became more enthusiastic about utilizing social media to brand my interest in biomedical science, to share valuable career development resources, and to broaden my knowledge on new development in the biomedical science industry.” This is what inspired her to host this tweet chat.

In order to learn more about Kirsten, we’ve composed some questions, and asked her to answer them in ten words or less – not an easy feat! Let the fun begin!

Proudest scientific achievement? Reversing the sex of single neuron generates sex-reversed smelling behavior
Most unexpected science discovery? Male and hermaphrodite C. elegans reveal sex differences in smelling behaviors
Wackiest lab moment? Found out that flies can transfer worms between plates
Biggest scientist “crush”? Oliver Hobert, external member of thesis committee, the best speaker.
Favorite technique/piece of equipment? Invitrogen Multisite Gateway cloning kit, Zeiss microscope (all fancy scopes)
Least favorite technique/equipment that brings out your inner Medusa? UV Transilluminator (Gel doc)
Favorite activity as an F1000 Specialist? Tweeting about F1000 and Specialist activities, working with Kinga (Outreach Director at F1000)
Favorite science blog/advice column? Not blogs but… FierceBiotech, FiercePharma, FierceCRO, and NYTimes Corner Office
Your “Aha moment” on social media? When a science communication executive followed my twitter account
Would you be willing to take a one way ticket to Mars if it meant having unlimited research funds? Only if I have unlimited visitors online and offline

And now for the super rapid fire questions:
PCR or Western Blot? PCR
Read methods first or figure legends? Methods
For science articles: Paper copy or e-copy? E-copy
In vivo or in vitro? In vitro
Chalk talk or PowerPoint? PowerPoint!

Thank you, Kirsten, for the interview! To follow the tweet chat tomorrow (Weds 15th April) at 1 PM EST/6PM GMT, follow @F1000 and the #F1000talks hashtag on Twitter. See you there!

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