Dr. Elif Sarinay-Cenik

Dr. Elif Sarinay-Cenik is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Texas at Austin. Her scientific research aims to bridge the gap in knowledge regarding how ribosomes and nucleolar organization regulate gene expression and metabolism, which influences development and aging. To achieve this overarching goal, Dr. Sarinay-Cenik and her team are focusing on the functions of the nucleolus in organizing genetic material and gene expression, the activity of ribosomes in ensuring synchronized growth, and how ribosomes sense cellular metabolic pathways to regulate organism growth and longevity. A particular project that Dr. Sarinay-Cenik is currently working on is related to  dissecting the role of the nucleolus from ribosome biogenesis during oogenesis and fertilization. By studying these processes, she seeks to uncover fundamental mechanisms that could enhance our understanding of fertilization and embryogenesis in humans and other species.

Dr. Sarinay-Cenik received her Ph.D. in RNA biochemistry from Dr. Phillip Zamore’s lab at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School. She credits her passion for RNA to her time at UMass Medical, where she felt that everyone was part of one big team, particularly in the field of RNA research. Dr. Zamore was a constant source of support during her challenging moments in graduate school, instilling in her the values of rigor and critical thinking in science. Graduate school at UMass provided Dr. Sarinay-Cenik with numerous opportunities to interact with faculty and students through seminars, lunches, and a common kitchen area where many scientific conversations took place. This environment nurtured her love for science and RNA. It was during this time, when she first learned about regulatory RNAs and that RNA did much more beyond merely carrying messages. That insight was when she realized RNA research was her true calling.

Dr. Sarinay-Cenik shared further reflections on her journey as a scientist, emphasizing that her growth has been shaped by a collection of experiences rather than a single defining moment. She recalls the excitement of joining Dr. Joan Steitz's lab as an undergraduate researcher, a summer research opportunity funded by Dr. Steitz. This formative experience introduced her to the vibrant field of RNA research in the United States, where the freedom to explore within her project sparked her scientific curiosity.

“[Mentoring is] rewarding to me, feels like I'm giving back and boosting their enthusiasm. I believe that motivation and curiosity are intrinsic, and when someone possesses that spark, it's incredibly rewarding to support and guide them. I've come to realize that while I can offer guidance and share knowledge, I cannot truly ignite someone's curiosity or drive – these qualities must come from the individuals themselves. My experience allows me to empathize with their feelings of uncertainty."

Dr. Sarinay-Cenik credits Dr. Joan Steitz as her biggest scientific inspiration and role model. Dr. Steitz's pioneering discovery of ribosome footprinting and her work on how ribosomes can even synthesize peptides from DNA fascinated Dr. Sarinay-Cenik and ignited her curiosity and passion for investigating RNA. During her Ph.D., Dr. Sarinay-Cenik also found inspiration in the work of Dr. Melissa Moore. Dr. Moore's innovative contributions to RNA biology and technology, her dedication to fostering a positive lab environment, and her advancements in RNA biology and technology were truly motivating for Dr. Sarinay-Cenik.

Dr. Sarinay-Cenik completed her postdoctoral research in the labs of Dr. Maria Barna and Dr. Andrew Fire at Stanford Medical School. Intrigued by the concept of heterogeneous ribosome formation and its potential to regulate translation in novel ways, she decided to join Dr. Barna's lab. Her training there deepened her fascination with ribosomes and instilled the courage to pursue bold ideas. During her time at Stanford, Dr. Sarinay-Cenik found Dr. Andrew Fire to be an inspiring mentor who provided a unique research perspective that was entirely new to her. In this environment, she leveraged C. elegans genetics to investigate the roles of zygotic and maternal ribosomes during embryogenesis. Dr. Sarinay-Cenik describes Dr. Fire's mentorship as a masterclass in problem-solving, characterized by elegance and humility.

Not surprisingly, Dr. Sarinay-Cenik’s favorite RNA is ribosomal RNA. She explains, “Ribosomal RNA holds a special place for me — it's fascinatingly the most abundant, catalytically active, and yet it has evolved to present a myriad of variations within its repeat sequences.” Her favorite RNA journal article is "Linking maternal and somatic 5S rRNA types with different sequence specific non-LTR retrotransposons" by Locati et al. (2017). This paper demonstrated that different loci of ribosomal DNA are expressed in germ and somatic tissues, revealing that the conversion from germ to soma during embryogenesis occurs unexpectedly late. Dr. Sarinay-Cenik found this paper both inspirational and intriguing, as it propelled her postdoctoral research project forward by highlighting the distinct types of ribosomal RNAs expressed in germline/maternal and zygotic/somatic ribosomes. Ultimately, her postdoctoral findings revealed that maternal ribosomes alone were sufficient for embryonic tissue diversification in C. elegans, representing a significant insight.

Dr. Sarinay-Cenik has received several prestigious awards, including the Stanford School of Medicine Dean's Postdoctoral Fellowship, the Walter V. and Idun Berry Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, the UT Stars Program, and the CNS Catalyst Awards. She is currently funded by the NIH-NIGMS Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (R35) and the Welch Foundation. The Sarinay-Cenik Lab at UT Austin is a dynamic, diverse, and innovative team of researchers dedicated to conducting high-quality, reproducible, and interdisciplinary science that deepens our understanding of biological processes.

Dr. Sarinay-Cenik is immensely grateful to all her mentors and their legacies, aspiring to extend this in her own career. She is passionate about mentoring students and postdocs while producing high-quality, reproducible science. In addition to directing research in her laboratory, Dr. Sarinay-Cenik attends ASBMB events at the University of Texas, organized by undergraduates, where students can learn about various career paths. She also organizes meetups each semester for UT undergraduates, providing a casual setting to eat and chat with department professors. Additionally, Dr. Sarinay-Cenik is responsible for organizing a welcome retreat for new graduate students to help them acclimate to campus life and meet their professors. Dr. Sarinay-Cenik enjoys engaging with up-and-coming scientists, stating, “it's rewarding to me, feels like I'm giving back and boosting their enthusiasm. I believe that motivation and curiosity are intrinsic, and when someone possesses that spark, it's incredibly rewarding to support and guide them. I've come to realize that while I can offer guidance and share knowledge, I cannot truly ignite someone's curiosity or drive – these qualities must come from the individuals themselves. My experience allows me to empathize with their feelings of uncertainty”.

In her free time, Dr. Sarinay-Cenik enjoys spending time in nature, connecting with friends, rock climbing, figure drawing, and pottery.