This summer, I had the fortunate opportunity to be a part of Dr. Gustavo Silva’s lab. This interview was a great experience for me as it allowed me to learn more about my lab’s Principal Investigator (PI), while also provide you all with insight on a great individual you all have recently met and may encounter again in the near future!
Background Information:
Dr. Silva attended University of São Paulo in Brazil— the largest Brazilian public university and the country’s most prestigious educational institution. His fascination in biological research sparked during his 2nd year in undergrad where he initially investigated cellular response to stress. He was placed in a lab that focused on the proteasome and regulation under stressful conditions, which eventually became his PhD project and the foundation of his scientific journey. While undergoing his PhD, Dr.Silva realized there was more to what he wanted to explore— he aimed to go above and beyond focusing on just one particular protein’s function and was captivated by the various underlying mechanisms that influences a variety of protein and cellular functions. Eventually, he was accepted for a post-doctoral training program at NYU and later started a faculty position at Duke in 2017.
Experience in teaching:
In addition to being the PI of his compelling lab, Dr.Silva is also a professor in Cellular Biology here at Duke, where he has taught several courses including Biology 201 (Molecular Biology). Dr. Silva always had a strong passion for learning and continuing his education. Throughout his academic journey, he met several individuals who served as great mentors and helped guide him through his professional development. To this day, the impact those individuals had on his life are invaluable, as he aspires to do the same to his fellow students/mentees by encouraging them and providing endless support, resources and networking to pursue their own passion and goals! His genuine leadership, generosity, and compassion is recognized by many as he received the 2023 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring— a prestigious award given to faculty who provide students with outstanding mentorship and teaching, while also creating inclusive spaces for graduate education. In addition, Dr.Silva was a recipient of the 2022 Science Diversity Leadership Award from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative— awarded to only 25 biomedical researchers in the entire U.S. who have a record of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in their scientific fields.
Motivation:
Dr.Silva is motivated by the various challenges, questions, and discoveries that revolve around science. He is always excited about learning more and is intrigued by understanding science at the molecular level— as it is the key to understanding nature’s design mechanisms and blueprint!
Hobbies:
Outside of the lab, Dr.Silva enjoys cooking, listening to music, and playing his lifelong favorite sport of soccer!
Future Goals:
Dr.Silva’s goal for the near future is to keep learning and exploring. He looks forward to utilizing his science and research in developing targeted therapies that would lead to the improvement of human health. In addition, he aspires to find ways to continue supporting his students, colleagues, institution, and open up opportunities for the individuals he encounters in his daily life.
Takeaway
After the interview, my greatest takeaway from Dr.Silva is that he values three specific things that coincidentally all start with the letter “M”: Molecular Biology, Mentorship, and Meaning. If I had one sentence to describe him it would be this:
A remarkable leader whose passion for molecular biology, commitment to mentorship, and pursuit of meaning enfuse every endeavor he undertakes, ensuring that everything he does— whether for the betterment of others or scientific advancement, holds immeasurable value!
