Interview with Former ICIS Treasurer: Karen Mossman
- Please tell us your name, degree, where you currently work, position
Karen Mossman, PhD, McMaster University, Professor (Department of Medicine) and Vice President Research - Where did you do your training?
University of Guelph (HonBSc), University of Alberta (PhD and PDF) - Briefly, what is your research program about?
Our overall research program focuses on virus-host interactions. We currently have three areas of research in the lab: (i) understanding how cells recognize perturbations to cellular homeostasis, such as virus particle entry; (ii) elucidating intrinsic and innate signaling in bats to understand how bats host multiple virus species without showing signs of disease; (iii) exploiting differences in normal and transformed cells to effectively use viruses as novel cancer immunotherapy platforms.
- Tell us your thoughts about ICIS: how has being involved in the Cytokine Society help your career?
Being involved in the ISICR and then ICIS has had many positive benefits to my career. Not only do the yearly conferences expose me to the latest research (basic and clinical) but I have made many friends and colleagues through the Society. Networking is so incredibly important and developing a strong, international network of colleagues has enabled not only my research but also provided connections for my trainees. Science is a team sport and being part of the ICIS has enabled me to find the best players for the team. - Are there any particular friendships or collaborations that came specifically out of Cytokines meetings?
I met Sarah Gaffen at my first ISICR meeting in 2001 as a new PI and we have become lifelong friends. Over the years I have also collaborated with many within the field. - What Cytokines meeting(s) have been your favorites? Tell us about any special memories or anecdotes.
I would have to say the inaugural meeting of the ICIS in San Francisco where we merged two societies into one. I had the pleasure of being on the organizing committee of this meeting, which had its own challenges with the US government shutdown. Regardless, the meeting was a resounding success, with ~700 participants and launched the new merged society. We also initiated trainee and young PI events, which I am very proud of. - What do you like to do when not in the lab?
I swim on a Masters swim team 3 times a week, which provides a great outlet to de-stress. I also love to travel and keep active. - What is the best life/career advice you’ve ever received?
Family always comes first. No matter how stressful work becomes and how time consuming work can be, at the end of the day, family is the most important. Specifically relating to research, my PhD and PDF mentors always stressed two important things: (1) data are what data are and (2) do an experiment because you should, not because you can. - What book or TV show are you reading/watching right now that you recommend?
Unfortunately I have little time for either, but I did start watching Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix. I am also a big fan of the historic trilogies of Ken Follet. - What is your favorite cytokine?
I would have to say interferon, as I have grown up studying interferons from my first day as a PhD student.