Meet Jen Silverman, a trainee in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology who is studying cytoskeletal structure of the tuft cell, a rare type of epithelial cell that senses parasites in the gut. She is mentored by Matthew Tyska, scientific director of the Cell Imaging Shared Resource and professor of cell and developmental biology.
We sat down with Silverman to talk about her experience as a trainee at Vanderbilt, the mentorship and education that have shaped her journey, and what makes her unique both in and outside of the lab.
What graduate program are you in?
I am in the Cell and Developmental Biology Ph.D. program.
What drew you to Vanderbilt?
I was really interested in Vanderbilt because I had no idea what I wanted my thesis research to be. I knew what I found interesting, but I wanted the chance to explore different scientific areas, and the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program was a perfect option.
Also, when I joined, I didn’t know whether I wanted to go into industry or stay in academia, but Vanderbilt has wonderful programs through the BRET Office for exploring scientific careers, and that was a huge draw for me.
What is your current area of research and what is exciting about it?
I’m studying the cytoskeletal structure of the tuft cell, which is a rare chemosensory epithelial cell type that senses parasites in the gut. A lot of research in the past decade has gone into the immunological functions of this cell type, but the connection of the tuft cells’ unique cytoskeletal structure to its function is not yet understood. Given the rarity of this cell type, it’s exciting to think that very few people have ever visualized and discerned the molecular architecture of this cell.
What inspired your interest in your research area?
Initially, my interest in this area of research was unplanned! When I first joined Vanderbilt, I was very interested in labs studying pathogen-host interactions. But when I first saw the microscopy images from the Tyska lab and heard about the research, it completely clicked with me. The visual aspect of microscopy is such a cool way to explore biology, and I loved getting to see changes to cell morphology as a consequence of expressing or knocking out genes. Since joining the lab, I have developed a much deeper appreciation for basic cell biology, and I’m glad to have had this opportunity to dive into cytoskeletal biology.
What do you enjoy about being in your lab?
I enjoy being in an environment where we are encouraged to grow as scientists and have the opportunity try new techniques, hear and meet with speakers at seminars, and go to new conferences. Being in the Tyska lab has been a great experience because we are given the opportunity to do all of those things and everyone is so supportive and excited about each other’s projects. Matt is also an expert in fostering a creative and supportive atmosphere, and he keeps us motivated by bringing bagels in on Thursdays.
Who at Vanderbilt is important to you and your work?
Evan Krystofiak and Rachel Hart, both staff members at the Cell Imaging Shared Resource, are electron microscopy geniuses who have greatly helped me with my thesis work. Evan is always trying new techniques to get better clarity and resolution. Rachel was so helpful when I was learning to prep my samples.
What advice would you give to your younger self if you were just starting out your Ph.D. again?
Starting out my Ph.D. was scary and I really wasn’t sure how to pick a lab to rotate in. I would advise my younger self to seek out great scientific mentors over just areas of research interest. Because of the pressure I felt when I started my Ph.D., I would also advise myself to find as much balance between work and life as possible and not to get bogged down by imposter syndrome.
What are your future goals after completing your training?
I’m looking forward to starting a postdoc in the near future. My goal is to balance my love for basic cell biology and microscopy with a new model organism and completely new techniques!
What do you do for fun when you are not in the lab?
Over the past year and a half, I’ve spent a lot of time doing indoor rock climbing, and I’m planning on taking it outdoors soon! I also love painting and crafting and am usually in the middle of a project or three. I also spend a lot of time with all of my amazing pets, including a dog, cat, raccoon, tarantulas, lizards, fish, and scorpions.
What are you reading, listening, or watching right now?
Alien Earth! I love the Alien movies, and this show is awesome.