Signals+ Editorial Board member, Maialen Sebastian, recently caught up with a 2023 ICIS-Pfizer Junior Investigator Award recipient, Iolanda Miceli for this interview.
“I am concurrently completing my medical degree and scientific training at Monash University Melbourne. I never anticipated that my medical degree would morph into a PhD program as well. But once I was advised to follow my interests and not to be afraid of following an unconventional career path, and here I am. Now I can’t imagine a world where scientific research is not part of my career!”
Please tell us your name, degree, where you currently work, and position.
My name is Iolanda Miceli and I am a MD-PhD student at Monash University Melbourne. I am concurrently completing my medical degree and scientific training. My PhD completion is at the end of this year (eek!) after which I will return to the final year of medical school.
Where did you do your training?
I have been entirely at Monash University for my training so far. I have enjoyed my time and am grateful that Monash is set up with the MD-PhD pathway to research-interested medical students to thrive.
Briefly, what is your research about?
My lab is a rheumatology lab with a strong translational focus, and we look at how to improve treatment options for inflammatory disease patients. In particular, we study SLE or Lupus, which is a disease that has seen very few advances in therapeutics for many years, with patients commonly on long-term toxic glucocorticoid treatment. My PhD investigates the glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper, GILZ, which is a major mediator of the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids but is independent of their metabolic adverse effects. We are working on a therapeutic strategy to increase GILZ which will hopefully result in a safer and effective treatment for autoimmune and inflammatory disease.
Other than this, our lab works on differentiation of different disease states in SLE and how the underlying biology informs and predicts these. We also have an exciting collaboration with industry to investigate the role of GILZ in the mechanism of action of other therapeutics.
Tell us your thoughts about ICIS: how has being involved in the Cytokine Society helped your career?
I think it’s all about the people and the experiences that predict the value and satisfaction that you obtain from your career. I am just at the beginning of my career and connection with the Cytokine Society, and I hope I can look back at this point in my life and think, “I am glad I kept up with this friendly, fabulous and world-class scientific society!”
Are there any particular friendships or collaborations that came specifically out of Cytokines meetings?
At the last Cytokine meeting, we were lucky enough to meet an industry collaborator who reached out to us after hearing my presentation. We also reunited with a connection from another institute in Melbourne who has since then significantly contributed to our drug development strategy.
What Cytokines meeting(s) have been your favorites? Tell us about any special memories or anecdotes.
My only cytokines meeting so far was last year’s in Athens, so that must be my favorite! I had a fabulous time listening to world class science and exploring a beautiful ancient city. I thought this meeting was fantastic with its emphasis on translational research and industry collaboration. My favorite event was the networking drinks at the Acropolis Museum. How many times in your life do you get to network with other scientists on a rooftop with a stunning view of the Acropolis and over Athens?
What do you like to do when not in the lab?
I take my precision lab skills into the kitchen where I am a keen baker. Not ashamed to say that I have jumped on the sourdough bread-making bandwagon. I also enjoy getting out into the beautiful Australian countryside and bushwalking and camping.
What is the best life/career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I have received was from my previous postdoctoral supervisor. She advised me to follow my interests and not to be afraid of following an unconventional career path. This was of particular help to me as I never anticipated that my medical degree would morph into a PhD program as well! Now I can’t imagine a world where scientific research is not part of my career.
What book or TV show are you reading/watching right now that you recommend?
I love rewatching the same TV show over and over and my show of choice is Gilmore Girls at the moment! I enjoy classic books and I’m reading Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens right now, which is equal parts silly and clever.
What is your favorite cytokine?
My favorite cytokine family would have to be the type I interferons which are key to the disease I study, Lupus.