Jeison Valencia has been inspired to pursue science and laboratory research since age 7, after he watched an episode of the Powerpuff Girls, in which a scientist creates the three female superheroes. Now, as a member of the Chiba-Falek lab, the lab technician is performing analyses on brain tissue to better understand the roots of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions. For this week’s Spotlight interview, Valencia talks to us about how his passion and determination fuels his work, how a professor helped him get involved in neuroscience, and enjoying adventures with his fiancee in his spare time.
What are your current responsibilities within the Neurology Department? What does a typical day look like for you?
I am a level 2 lab technician in Dr. Chiba-Falek’s lab. I don’t know how to answer what a typical day looks like because every day is different. My job consists of crushing delicate brain tissue, quantitation of total protein in said brain tissue, running western blots, learning how to grow human IPS cells, leaning techniques such as IHC, RT-PCR and, mastering how to use the All-in-One Fluorescence Microscope BZ-X800.
How and when did you first get interested in science and research in general?
I always wanted to be a scientist since I moved to the United States from Colombia at age 7, and I wanted to work in a lab base setting. What got me to love science and what still motivates me till this day is the first show I watched when I came to the States. was called Powerpuff girls, and my favorite character was their dad, who was a scientist who created three powerful humans.
As an undergraduate you worked on a research project to mass produce beneficial nematodes with solid and liquid state fermentation. How did you get involved with this project?
I’ve been interested in the brain and working in a lab setting since coming to the States. At the time I got involved I was specifically interested in depression and how it worked. The day I went to go meet the only neuroscience lab professor my campus had to offer, I ended up getting lost in the building.
A man saw how confused I looked and asked me what I was doing there. I told him I was there to meet the Professor that is running the neuroscience lab. The man told me to come into his office and told me to sit down. He ended up being the lab manager of the biotechnology/agriculture lab. We talked for two hours and at the end of the conversation he told me I was hired. His name was Devang Upadhyay and he would become one of my greatest motivations on my journey.
What makes this beneficial nematode beneficial?
I worked with a specific type of beneficial nematode called Steinernema carpocapsae. Steinernema carpocapsae is a microscopic entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) that is used as an alternative to chemical pesticide. This species creates a symbiotic relationship with the bacteria Xenorhabdus nematophila. Steinernema carpocapsae is a vector for the bacteria to infect the targeted insect pest. This biological control agent has many advantages compared to chemical pesticides as it does not harm the environment nor humans, if they were to consume it.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy learning new techniques and meeting new scientists that inspire me with their passion. When you work at a job you are passionate about, every day is a fun one.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
I didn’t realize this job was supposed to be hard. It just takes some passion and determination to get through the day.
What plans do you have for the future? If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
My plans for the future are to go to graduate school and earn my PhD in Neuroscience. My dream job would be to be a research professor, where I could teach and also inspire students who are on the path to becoming a scientist, as I was inspired by all the mentors I’ve had on my journey so far.
What passions or hobbies do you have outside of work?
My passions outside of work would be playing video games and going on adventures with my fiancée. She’s very spontaneous and as a result we end up doing something after work pretty much every day.
Valencia practices his golf swing in his first game outside of miniature golf.