Extending on our #MeetAScientist series, 500 Women Scientists decided to interview the Personomics Lab in the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University in St Louis (WashU). They are widely interested in using imaging (MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; particularly functional MRI, which measures ongoing brain activity) to better understand brain changes linked to mental health. The lab studies numerous conditions including depression and anxiety, and is particularly interested in comorbidity (i.e., when a person suffers from multiple different mental health disorders at the same time), and in symptoms that are shared across disorders (such as changes in sleep and motivation). The lab has a variety of members from different walks of life who each provide their own unique perspectives to the work – not only for their research, but their outlook on science too!
You can follow them on Twitter: @PersonomicsLab
Members of the Personomics Lab. Top Left: Zhang Wei (she/her), Junior Postdoctoral Researcher. Top Right: Rosie Dutt (she/her), 1st Year Imaging Science PhD Student. Center Left: Kayla Hannon (she/her), 1st Year Neuroscience PhD Student. Center Right: Ty Easley (they/them), 1st Year Imaging Science PhD Student. Bottom Left: Janine Bijsterbosch (she/her), Assistant Professor. Bottom Right: Oyin Adenekan (she/her), Senior in BS Computer Science with a Minor in Bioinformatics.
When did you first identify as a scientist?
JB: I have built my identity on being a scientist. I have always been an academic, and I knew I wanted to complete a PhD and become a professor. I was disruptive in high school, and my teacher once said I had to write a piece on my behavior as punishment. It was from here I realized my aptitude for science, as I spent days in the library researching the impact of hormones on teenage behavior. I fully committed to the piece – which I like to think of as my first “scientific paper.”
WZ: I believe I began to identify as a scientist when I received my PhD. Having made the career change very late in my life, moving from a background of non-science to science, I thoroughly enjoy the intellectual stimulation I experience on a daily basis.
KH: I began working in a science lab at the age of 16, but I do not feel confident saying I am a scientist. The amount of time I have spent on a computer has resulted in chronic back pain, but I have built my life around science – it’s all worth it!
RD: I have always loved science and I hope to develop the confidence to fully identify as a scientist through my PhD.
TE: I am inquisitive. I have multiple questions that I would like to find answers to, and science is one avenue for that. I would not say I identify fully as a scientist just yet – but do in part.
OA: The process of writing applications to PhD programs and jobs made me ask myself this very question. I’ve just accepted an offer to a PhD program, so I think upon its completion I may identify as a scientist. Only time will tell!
How did you make the transition into this research?
JB: I always liked the brain, which resulted in me pursuing a BA in Biological Psychology. It was during my Master’s work in Cognitive Neuroscience, when I was taught statistical analysis, that I wanted to understand the details of data analysis, as opposed to clicking some buttons. Consequently, I decided to develop a more technical background during my PhD and postdoc – selecting more computational and statistical projects. The Personomics lab was born out of my interest and experience within these fields!
WZ: I received my Bachelors degree in Korean language, then worked in communications and tourism. However, I realized this was not what I wanted. I went back to school and pursued a Master's degree in Psychology and MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience. In my mid-30s, I decided to embark on a PhD. I particularly enjoyed unravelling the complexity of the human brain using fMRI, and my research interests all aligned with that of the Personomics Lab. I do, sometimes, wonder what would have happened if I did not take a 10-year detour to get to where I am – but then I realize, I would not be who I am today!
KH: At my high-school I was required to work in a lab. Because I liked Neuroscience, I contacted a WashU professor in the field who agreed to mentor me. I believe it was from here that I first transitioned into the world of research. I continued my interest by majoring in Neuroscience, whilst obtaining a minor in political science. I am interested in supporting public health by using complex statistical analyses and big datasets to ensure that results can be translated into the world to make a real change.
RD: I was always interested in how we experience the world, which sparked my interests in the human body and the brain. This prompted me to study a BSc(Hons) in Biomedical Science where I specialized in Psychology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience. From there, I wanted to develop my expertise in statistical and imaging techniques and completed an MSc Cognitive Neuroscience and an MRes in Bioimaging Science. Consequently, my research interests of developing advanced neuroimaging analysis techniques in the context of mental health conditions align well with the Personomics Lab.
TE: During my last year of college, whilst studying Math and Physics, I worked on numerous theoretical physics projects and developed my interest in research. I wanted to learn more about the field of medical physics and joined my PhD program. Being a trans person who suffers with numerous mental health conditions — a fact which is prevalent in the trans community — I wanted to apply my math background to the field of mental health.
OA: From a young age I always had an interest in food, diet and a healthy lifestyle. This led me to read numerous articles and dietary guidelines from the government. I learned about the numerous studies behind these guidelines, their flaws, and the evidence behind their claims. This inspired my interest in research! I joined a metabolism lab and learned of the power of computer science when studying biology. I then decided to explore the applications of computer science in mental health and rotated in the Personomics Lab.
What are you currently working on?
JB: Grants, grants, and more grants!
WZ: I am involved in numerous projects. My primary project aims to understand the dynamic states in the brain and its relevance to mental health. I have also initiated a lab-wide project, which encompasses all our interests, and I am writing a book chapter with Janine.
KH: I have selected the Personomics research group as my thesis lab. I am keen to understand whether mental health is a continuum or a subtype, which could support mental health diagnoses.
RD: During my PhD, I aim to perform data-driven comparisons across different resting state functional MRI analysis methods to determine the approach that provides the most sensitive and replicable markers of mental health symptomatology.
TE: As a rotating student within the lab, my project focuses on how to compare the different representations of the brain — as any data capture is typically too detailed to make meaning of. These representations are usually broken down into interpretable chunks, and I am looking at how we can translate between the different methods of reduction.
OA: I recently completed my rotation within the Personomics lab where I was working to develop a computational tool to normalize brain scans taken across different sites, which would ensure cross-site equivalency, if biomarkers for mental health were identified.
How does having such a diverse pool of students support your research efforts?
JB: Having people from different educational backgrounds in the same lab helps to tackle a research question from different perspectives and enables people to share skills and knowledge with one another. A great example of this is Ty, whose mathematical background enables them to derive principled mapping functions that link different methodological approaches in our field. Another example is Oyin, who applied her experience in coding and deep learning to initiate a new approach for data harmonization.
In addition to educational background, prior research experience also plays a role. For example, Wei has developed a clear interest in the interplay between advanced methods and applied research and was able to draw on this experience to design her own research question focusing on dynamic network changes in mental health. Diversity in terms of extracurricular interests, skills, and connections also shines through into the research in our lab. Kayla’s interest in public health, for example, played a role in shaping her research focus on data-driven mapping of population mental health heterogeneity. Rosie’s interest and connections in science communication is a fantastic help to share our research output with a broader general audience in an effort to make real change.
What advice do you have for scientists who identify with you and want to move into this research?
JB: Be proactive to create opportunities for yourself. All educational backgrounds can be applied to the realm of mental health.
WZ: My advice, having started a PhD in my mid-30s is to think carefully, speak with people who have completed their doctorate, do a short research internship, and come equipped with stress coping skills — it’s not an easy ride! Moving into academia at a later age does have its barriers, such as expected age cut-offs for applying to certain positions and societal expectations — but so far, I have had positive experiences!
KH: If you are interested in Science and Policy, your scientific research can be done through this lens, as science provides an evidence-based approach, which science policy can lack.
RD: Ensure this is what you want to do and set yourself up for it! I completed and taught a research masters before embarking on a PhD. I gained many skills along the way, which all came together to support my doctoral research.
TE: Coming from a Math and Physics background, there is a big application in the field of medical physics, which can support a field like mental health.
OA: From a computer science perspective, I have noticed that biologists are always looking for people who can code — the demand is there, they need computers to do biology!
Does your personal experience, religion, gender and/or ethnic group you identify with impact your experience in research?
JB: As an Assistant Professor, I actively look to support diversity within my lab. Being female, I often wonder if an invitation to give a talk is grounded in a genuine interest in my work or in the need to “make up the numbers”. Having said that, I am very supportive of gender balance requirements for conferences, because the visibility of female role models is really important to encourage next generation scientists.
WZ: Women in general are less represented within the field of Science. Personally, as a Chinese woman, relative to the Chinese population, this also is the case.
KH: As a white woman, I am expected to dress a particular way, and this somewhat impacted the perception of colleagues around me.
RD: As someone of Indian heritage, there is more pressure for me to have a stronger understanding of the technical aspects within research.
TE: As a white trans person, I feel that expressions of femininity tend to be punished in scientific spaces. When I wear a dress, people stare, and occasionally I get cat-called and yelled at. A lot of it is down to inexperience. I continually educate those around me, but it is tiring and takes effort.
OA: As a black female it is hard to know what works against you. Generally, minority groups are not made aware of the different opportunities available. This has resulted in a whole host of programs and fellowships to support us. Being in the NIH-MARC U-STAR program, which supports undergraduates from minority backgrounds who want to pursue a PhD, made me feel comfortable about being a black female in science. As a Muslim, many people are unaware how exhausting it is to observe Ramadan or find places to pray around university.
What are your aims going forward?
JB: I aim to get tenure and become a full professor!
WZ: I intend to stay in academia, and will explore different options, such as becoming faculty staff, PI, senior scientist, and so on.
KH: I want to stay in research and make science policy part of my career.
RD: I aim to explore academic, journalistic, editorial, and science policy career paths.
TE: I am interested in leveraging my skills as a scientist to support trans health.
OA: Besides starting my PhD, I would love to own a bakery store, which sells sugarless desserts.
Alongside your research are you involved in anything else?
JB: I used to organize and teach international imaging analysis courses, and I am looking forward to becoming more involved in academic organizations/societies.
WZ: I am considering getting involved in more community-wide activities.
KH: I was recently elected co-president of ProSPER, a science policy group, where I work to facilitate science into the science policy sphere.
RD: I am the Assistant Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Science Policy and Governance, Contributing Writer for Engineers and Scientists Acting Locally, and 500 Women Scientists.
TE: I am part of the Graduate Workers Union, because workers are the people who actually make change happen and allow society to function. They deserve to have bargaining power.
OA: I am part of the SOPHIA Project, which aims to mentor high school girls for various life skills.
Alongside your research, what do you do to relax and unwind?
JB: I relax by running and playing with my dog and engaging in all types of outdoor adventures.
WZ: I relax by doing physical exercises, traveling and visiting my parents/friends.
KH: I love to rock climb and hike.
RD: I enjoy camping trips, traveling and writing.
TE: I play DnD, watch TV, and occasionally play the piano.
OA: I like to read and do things with my hands such as bake!