In recognition of the outstanding lives and accomplishments of our members, each month we profile two RNA Society members—one Full member and one Student/Post-doctoral Fellow member—as part of our Member Spotlight Series.
Read about your colleagues’ career paths, their advice for succeeding in science, and their favorite RNA!
Featured Spotlights
Hasan Al Banna is a PhD student developing tools for live cell RNA imaging who investigates structured viral RNAs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. In this month’s spotlight, written by Todor Cvetanovic and edited by Dr. Jennifer Porat, he shares how the COVID-19 pandemic inspired his research into virology and RNA biology, his path to a PhD, and his passion for science communication.
In this Spotlight written by Dr. Anna Sherwood and edited by Dr. Daniel L. Kiss, Prof. Lafontaine reflects on a career dedicated to understanding ribosome biogenesis, from foundational discoveries in yeast to translational advances in human disease. He discusses his lab’s work on ribosomopathies such as Diamond-Blackfan anemia, insights into nucleolar organization, the importance of collaboration and mentorship, and his deep commitment to building a strong and connected RNA community. Along the way, he also shares personal perspectives on training, discovery, and the values that have guided his scientific journey.
