We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our 2019 early career scientist advocates.

Ana Mesquita

Ana Mesquita
Policy Subcommittee
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Research Interest

Autophagy is a catabolic process that occurs in all eukaryotic organisms analyzed to date. It is critical for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. This is reflected by its association with a large array of pathologies and dysfunctions, including cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, as well as metabolic deregulation. In the case of heart problems, autophagy has been widely associated with atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, and ischemic response.

Cellular stress can lead to extensive damage resulting in disease, and accumulation of damage can also worsen patient recovery. Several cell stress factors, such as oxidative stress or DNA damage, have already been indicated as risk factors for certain cardiopathies. Thus, understanding how cell clearance mechanisms operate is critical, both to reverse the effect of damaging factors and to prevent them. 

I use Drosophila melanogaster to study the effect of cellular stress in endosomal Microautophagy, a mechanism with a great potential for degrading aggregated proteins in cells. Once we know how to make our cells “clean” themselves or correct defects that might arise, we will be one step closer to significantly decreasing the incidence or consequences of heart disease and stroke. 

Quantifying thousands of autophagosomes and endosomes in a daily basis can sometimes be a cumbersome job. For this reason I developed SParQ – Streamlined PARticle Quantification software. A plugin for imageJ that enables the supervised, semi-automated quantification of fluorescent vesicles with high accuracy, SPARQ presents a friendly user-interface and is customizable for any type of image and any particle size. 

As a PhD-trained scientist, you have many career options. What career paths interest you the most?

I’m most interested in a research career with a teaching component. As a scientist, I love that I am constantly challenged to innovate and keep up with a fast-changing landscape and, more importantly, have opportunities to be the one leading the way. I think there is no other profession where you can use your ideas and creativity as you do in a research setting. 

As a biochemist working on autophagy for the past 10 years, I have developed an extensive knowledge on molecular pathways, cell biology, and genetic manipulation. I love understanding how things work and how I can add to the overall scientific knowledge. More recently, I discovered a keen interest for bioinformatics. I started wondering how could I apply new tools to my own work. As a result, I started learning programming and ended up finishing two data science courses (one in R and one in Python). I want to make sure that my research is cutting edge and that I am able to access the best tools at my disposal. From this newly acquired knowledge came my first software tool, SParQ (Streamlined PARticle Quantification).

 A lot of work goes into experimentation and getting results that will help us understand how pathways work on a cellular level, which directly affects the directions of scientific research and the way we do science. Also, we live in a unique time where new technology is shaping the way we perceive science; you have the experimental scientist in the lab doing research, but you also have machines that can sequence thousands of samples in a small amount of time. This new era of big data and bioinformatics. The technology is fascinating, and I trust it will be a great asset that every scientist will rely on. As for me, I will be where things are being created and where innovation is taking place.

Apart from the hard science, I want to be able to combine my research with teaching because I’ve loved having the opportunity to mentor students. Having someone tell you that you are the reason they decided to pursue a PhD and become a scientist is priceless. 

 In addition to your research, how else do you want to advance the scientific enterprise?

I was a member of the Einstein Postdoctoral Association, and the Postdoctoral Representative in the Quality of Life Committee also at Einstein for the past two years. During this time, I have built a strong relationship with faculty, postdocs, and students in the New York area and am very aware of activities and initiatives that will help improve early scientists’ careers and overall science productivity. 

I observed that postdoc concerns resided in two main areas:career development and general life resources. While some universities have a great support network and offer things like childcare, tax preparation, and good housing arrangements, others are simply not keeping up. My job as a committee member was to listen to what was missing and try to create opportunities and dialogue between the postdoctoral community and the decision makers. We need to make sure younger scientists have access to the tools they need to thrive not only in their research but also in their personal lives, and this passes by promoting easy access to resources. 

Professional development, ample training opportunities, and career services are key tools that can help postdocs grow their careers. This was one of the main reasons I decided to enroll in GSA’s Leadership program—help promote career development opportunities, resources, and fellowships. I think collaboration with associations like the GSA, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Postdoctoral Association is the key to make these resources more widely available to postdocs. 

As a leader within the Genetics Society of America, what do you hope to accomplish?

Being part of the leadership program has given me the opportunity to network with the top scientists in the field of genetics, learn from them, and have a sense of community that is beyond my institution. During the next two years, I want to generate more opportunities and resources for the research community and also create more discussion and awareness on everything science-related, such as promoting access to information about fellowships, job opportunities, career development programs, and other scientific initiatives. I am fascinated by ideas and ways of putting those ideas into initiatives, and this is one of the best channels to do exactly that.

Previous Leadership Experience: 

Quality of Life Committee Member – Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Member – Einstein Postdoctoral Association
Council on Genomics and Precision Medicine – American Heart Association
Master’s Student Mentor – Université Paris Diderot (Genetics) and ISIFC Paris (Biomedical Engineering) at Albert Einstein College of Medicine 

Follow Ana Mesquita on LinkedIn and Twitter.

,

Graduate student and postdoctoral leaders from the Early Career Scientist Committees of the GSA.

View all posts by Early Career Scientist Committees »

Read more in

  • Collage of 2021 Rosalind Franklin Award recipients

    Where are they now? Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award recipients share updates on their research

    Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award applications are open–make sure you submit your application or nomination of a colleague by September 30, 2024.

  • University of Minnesota researchers map genome of the last living wild horse species

    The study, published in G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, is part of larger conservation efforts to save Przewalski’s horse.

  • Congratulations to the Spring 2024 DeLill Nasser Awardees!

    GSA is pleased to announce the recipients of the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics for Spring 2024! Given twice a year to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, DeLill Nasser Awards support attendance at meetings and laboratory courses. The award is named in honor of DeLill Nasser, a long-time GSA supporter and National Science Foundation…

  • Carolyn Damilola headshot

    Carolyn Damilola: an NFS Rising Scientist on a lifelong quest to learn more

    Carolyn Damilola is an NFS Rising Scientist from Nigeria doing respiratory system research and paving the way for scientists from underrepresented communities through mentorship.

  • Text over a blue background image: Apply for up to $2,000 for your project from the Starter Culture Microgrant Program.

    What does a good microgrant proposal look like?

    Members of the Microgrant Review Committee share their tips for a successful proposal.

  • A blurred image of a human face is shown against a dark background.

    The first piece of the facial recognition puzzle

    New research in GENETICS gives a first peek at the molecular pathway involved in recognizing faces.

  • New Senior Editor Amy MacQueen joins GENETICS

    A new senior editor is joining GENETICS in the Genome Integrity and Transmission section. We’re excited to welcome Amy MacQueen to the editorial team.

  • Close up of an adult zebrafish with blue and white stripes in an aquarium with red lighting.

    Block party on the zebrafish sex chromosome

    Research in G3 identifies a gene regulatory block of the zebrafish genome responsible for overseeing the maternal-to-zygotic-transition.

  • Lemna Minor, the common duckweed

    Unraveling the mysteries of duckweed: epigenetic insights from Spirodela polyrhiza

    Research published in G3 offers insight into the impact of DNA methylation on clonal propagation in asexually reproducing plants.

  • Luciano Marraffini headshot

    A microbiologist’s quest to understand CRISPR in bacterial self-defense

    2024 Genetics Society of America Medal recipient Luciano Marraffini determined how CRISPR-Cas systems destroy genetic targets with precision, paving the way for gene editing technology development.

  • Elaine Ostrander headshot

    Unlocking mysteries of trait and disease heritability in dogs

    2024 Edward Novitski Prize recipient Elaine Ostrander, a pioneer of the domestic dog model, discovered numerous genes affecting dog size, morphology, behavior, and disease susceptibility—many of which have relevance in humans.

  • NSF-funded BIO-LEAPS Grant to Support Culture Change in Genetics

    GSA and collaborators Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue and Reclaiming STEM Institute launch NSF-funded BIO-LEAPS project to support culture change in genetics 

    We are thrilled to announce that the Genetics Society of America (GSA) is collaborating with the Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue (PGED) based in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, and the Reclaiming STEM Institute (RSI) on a Leading Culture Change Through Professional Societies of Biology (BIO-LEAPS) grant from the U.S. National Science…

  • Daman Saluja: Navigating Science and Policy in India

    In the Paths to Science Policy series, we talk to individuals who have a passion for science policy and are active in advocacy through their various roles and careers. The series aims to inform and guide early career scientists interested in science policy. This series is brought to you by the GSA Early Care­er Scientist…

  • Deborah Andrew headshot

    A fly geneticist’s journey into discovering rules of organ development

    2024 George W. Beadle Award recipient Deborah Andrew discovered new genes and pathways in Drosophila salivary gland organogenesis. Now, her work can help optimize cell secretion in therapeutic applications and fight malaria.

  • Małgorzata Gazda's headshot

    Małgorzata Gazda: How receiving the DeLill Nasser Award helped her land her dream job

    Have you ever experienced an event that changes the course of your life, or in this case, your career? Małgorzata (Gosia) Gazda is Assistant Professor at the University of Montreal and in 2022, she received the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics, which she used to attend and present at the 2022 Population,…

  • Hongyu Zhao joins GENETICS as new Senior Editor

    A new senior editor is joining GENETICS in the Statistical Genetics and Genomics section. We’re excited to welcome Hongyu Zhao to the editorial team.

  • Julio Molina Pineda at TAGC 2024

    GSA Member Julio Molina Pineda Receives DeLill Nasser Award, Shines at TAGC 2024 

    “At any career stage, the GSA membership is an amazing investment for any genetics professional!” Julio Molina Pineda is a PhD Candidate in Cell and Molecular Biology and a Research Assistant at the University of Arkansas, and a Doctoral Academy Fellow at the Lewis Lab. In 2023, Julio was awarded the DeLill Nasser Award for…

  • Ed Grell at his dissecting microscope using ether to anesthetize his flies.

    In Memoriam: Ellsworth Herman Grell (1932–2023), a pioneer of Drosophila genome engineering and annotation

    Ellsworth (Ed) Grell blessed the Drosophila community through three enduring legacies: as a pioneer of chromosome mechanics, as a primary organizer and synthesizer of genetic knowledge in Drosophila, and as a graceful mentor to those fortunate to have known him personally. Ed grew up in rural Nebraska, completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State, and…

  • Congratulations to the #Fungal24 Poster Award winners!

    We are pleased to announce the recipients of the GSA Poster Awards for posters presented at the 32nd Fungal Genetics Conference! Undergraduate and graduate student members of GSA were eligible for the awards, and a hard-working team of judges made the determinations. Congratulations to all! Felicia Ebot Ojong, The University of Georgia My research is focused…

  • Poster presentation tips for TAGC 2024

    You’ve been selected to present a poster at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March—you’ve celebrated, made plans to attend, now what? This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your research and engage with fellow members of the genetics community, so you want to make sure you’re prepared. We wanted to offer you some tips…

  • Maximize your TAGC 2024 experience 

    A guide to all that National Harbor & DC have to offer Are you joining us for The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March? Make the most of your #TAGC24 experience in National Harbor! We know the science will keep you busy, but you deserve to unwind and have some fun, so we’ve curated a…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Petrosky

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Sarah PetroskyMultimedia SubcommitteeUniversity of Pittsburgh Research Interest I am interested in understanding adaptation that has been happening recently in populations by dissecting the ways that genes underlying an adaptation…

  • TAGC 2024 Early Career Award Winners

    GSA is pleased to announce the winners of the early career awards presented at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024. These awards are specific to particular TAGC communities and recognize early career scientists’ outstanding work on their respective research organisms. The awardees will present their talks in keynote sessions at TAGC 2024.  Don’t miss the opportunity…

  • Preeminent geneticists recognized with revamped GSA Awards

    In 2022, GSA’s Board of Directors launched an audit to review the five major awards conferred by the Society. Today, we are thrilled to announce the recipients of the reimagined GSA Awards, including the new Genetics Society of America Early Career Medal. The scientists honored this year are recognized by their peers for their outstanding…

  • Fly Board funds outreach programs to spread the word about Drosophila research

    In 2020, the Fly Board voted to use part of its reserve fund to support efforts to increase trainee participation as well as equity and diversity in the Drosophila community. An awards committee decides how the money will be spent each year, and from 2020–2022, the committee posted a very broad call for applications from…

  • New members of the GSA Board of Directors: 2024–2026

    We are pleased to announce the election of four new leaders to the GSA Board of Directors: 2024 Vice President/2025 President Brenda Andrews Professor, University of Toronto It’s an honor to continue my association with the Society by serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors. I have broad knowledge of the ongoing activities…

  • The Fly Meeting is one-of-a-kind! Dros 2025 organizers share their excitement

    The 66th Annual Drosophila Research Conference promises to be a meeting rich with the latest in Drosophila research as well as opportunities to advance your career and connect with a global community of 1,400+ scientists. The organizers Todd Nystul, Michelle Bland, Leila Rieder, Amanda Crocker, and Justin Crocker are hard at work, planning a conference…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Olufemi Osonowo

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Olufemi Adekunle OsonowoCareer Development SubcommitteeDalhousie University Research Interest Metabolomics and genomics are two distinct but complimentary approaches that offer valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of complex traits, such…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Hector Mendoza

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Hector MendozaCommunication and Outreach SubcommitteeUniversity of Michigan Research Interest My research goals converge around the evolution of sexual reproduction. During my doctoral program, I investigated mitochondrial inheritance, a mechanism…