Dr. Stefania Kapsetaki
About Dr. Stefania Kapsetaki obtained her Diploma in Piano Performance and Harmony (1st Hons) and has performed in over 160 concerts, releasing 3 CDs.
Her BSc (1st) at the University of Crete with scholarships from the Greek State Scholarship Foundation focused on molecular biology. Her Master's and PhD at the University of Oxford as a Leventis & Onassis Scholar focused on the evolution of multicellularity, while her postdoctoral fellowship at Arizona State University focused on comparative oncology across hundreds of species. She has published articles in journals, such as Nature Communications, and is a Review Editor in the Editorial Board of Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. She has presented in over 80 conferences/invited talks/TV/radio, and has been an invited TEDx speaker. Her over 50 honours & awards, include being a Finalist in the 2020 World Science Summit Breakthroughs of the year.
Intro:
Started as a bachelor's student
Completed graduate Studies in Crete
She moved to Oxford to do master's and PhD
complete Post Doctoral Studies at Arizona State
Q1: What steps did you take to pursue your passion as a researcher?
Did undergraduate studies at the University of Crete for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Worked in a lab for about a year, as being a researcher requires lab experience and taking part in publishing papers. Published two papers during undergraduate studies
Studied evolution of Multicellularity at Arizona State. Essentially explore cancer in Animal Kingdom
Q2: What was a typical day or week for you? Responsibilities?
Research with Advisor (Cancer)
Regular, structured meetings. However, had independence to think of your own ideas and write your own manuscript
Very collaborative work
Research involved a lot of statistics (if possible, learning about statistics and data science are useful tools for research students since they add more value to your research).
Q3: What did you wish you knew before doing research? Any advice?
Initially thought research was quick and easy, when, in reality, it takes a long time to find answers and get results
Used to trust top-notch journals but it is possible to find mistakes. Thus, read papers very critically. Look at the data and then check if the data is accurately represented in the manuscript
Each lab, each research department, can have different perspectives. So, it is important to not stick with a single perspective.
Q4: What kind of education or mindset would you suggest for younger students to have to overcome some challenges that you may have faced?
Try to fill up gaps in knowledge since expectations are high. For instance, traveling to different countries to experience education systems. (Or learning about statistics.)
Take every opportunity possible (competitions or volunteer)
Q5: Any final words?
Be brave and ask questions (email professors)
Don't miss lessons
Challenge what is known (be critical)