Junior Scientist

RNA JUNIOR SCIENTISTS

Each year approximately 500 junior scientists (postdoctoral fellows and graduate students) meet at the annual meeting of the RNA Society to present posters and oral presentations among the world’s best and brightest in the field of RNA biology. The mission of the RNA junior scientists is to promote networking and career building opportunities among graduate students, postdocs and early career scientists belonging to the RNA society. We aim to provide awareness of resources and opportunities for collaboration within this network of scientists. We will highlight breakthroughs in the RNA field, relevant workshops, awards, funding opportunities, events and meetings to foster meaningful interactions among RNA society junior scientists above and beyond those that occur at the annual meetings.

JUNIOR SCIENTIST COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES

Laura Hertz (Incoming Graduate Student Representative)

Hello! I am a 5th year Ph.D. student in Prof. Julius Lucks’ group for RNA Engineering at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, USA. My projects study the sequence-structure-function interplay of RNA, using a model system of ligand-binding RNAs, so called “riboswitch” as they switch structures depending on ligand-binding.

Outside of breathing, thinking, and talking about RNA, I pursue activities to increase science accessibility both within the research community and larger society. As a Junior Scientist Representative, I hope to get inspired with others about effectively describing our research to each other and our role as scientists to our local, non-academic communities to bridge the apparently growing gap between science and society. Outside of work, I enjoy musical theater, traveling, playing volleyball, sending postcards, and Taylor Swift.

Belén Moro-Rotherham (Incoming Postdoc Representative)

I am from Argentina, and as an undergrad my fascination for RNA led me to persue a PhD on microRNA processing. Now, I am a post-doc in sunny Barcelona working in Argonaute proteins subcellular localization and activities in plants. Over my career in several different countries I’ve learned to value people, excellence, impact, and chasing these goals while having fun. As part of the RNA Society I look forward to sharing these values among the Jr Scientists. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends, building Legos and playing Nintendo video games.

Morghan Lucas (Incoming Graduate Student Representative)

G’day! Originally from Australia, I am the Co-lead of R&D at the diagnostic clinic Medical Genetics Centre (MGZ) in Munich and a visiting scientist at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) Hospital Clinic and Friedrich-Baur-Institut (FBI). My current work focuses on developing molecular diagnostic tests for various diseases, with a special interest in long-read sequencing technologies. Before transitioning to industry, I completed a PhD at the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona. As the first Junior RNA Society committee member from industry, I am excited to bridge academia and applied research, fostering collaboration and supporting junior scientists exploring diverse career paths. I joined to give back to this wonderful scientific community that has supported me throughout my career and to advocate for life-work balance and diversity, equity, and inclusion in RNA research.

Cameron Berry

Hey’all, I’m a Postdoc at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, investigating the exciting regulatory potential of 3’ UTRs in vertebrates, including during early zebrafish development. During my PhD in Developmental Biology at Stanford University I became fascinated by RNA while studying Alternative Polyadenylation in the Drosophila male germline.

Aside from hunting down functional elements in UTRs, I am part of the Executive Board for KC RiBS (a reference to Kansas City’s amazing BBQ scene) – Researchers in Biomedical Science – where we organize events promoting professional development, outreach and networking in the KC area and I am proud to lead Stowers’ LGBTQIA+ group. I aim to foster more connections between the RNA trainee community, from all backgrounds, as a Junior Scientist Representative. I also love baking (macarons are my current obsession), playing tennis and watching too much of the Drag Race universe.

Faculty Advisors: Carol Lutz (Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, NJMS and SGS) and Patricia Baldrich (University of California – Davis)