Dr. Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz, Head of the Cellular Physiology (4CP) research program and a senior group leader at the Janelia Research Campus. Early Life and Transformative "Gap Years" Dr. Lippincott-Schwartz grew up in a farm-like environment surrounded by animals. Although her father was a physical chemist, she did not initially plan to become a scientist, majoring in psychology and philosophy in college. Unsure of her long-term path after graduating, she took what is n

When people talk about the lives of scientists, the story is often told in a neat and linear way: a clear passion from an early age, a steady path through education, and eventually a successful research career. But my conversation with Dr. Carsen Stringer reminded me that real scientific journeys rarely unfold that way. Dr. Stringer is a computational neuroscientist who leads a team developing algorithms to understand large-scale neural activity. Her work aims to answer a fun

In this interview, entrepreneur Michelle Spear discusses her transition from interior design to becoming the owner of Twin Oaks Tavern Winery, a historic property in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She details her rapid renovation process, explaining how she integrated her creative background with a new mission of stewardship and community-building to create a "whimsical" and welcoming environment. The conversation explores the practicalities of leadership, emphasizing the importan