Carina Mónico
Imaging Scientist
Micron Oxford Advanced Bioimaging Unit
Department of Biochemistry
Tell us a bit About your role
As an Imaging Scientist at a core facility I support and educate research scientists to advance their research projects. The level of support varies depending on the need, and can start from providing scientific advice to helping design an experiment, prepare samples, acquire images to analyse data. At Micron, I train users on several state-of-the-art optical microscopes with a wide range of applications, all requiring special expertise or specific adaptation to address each biological question. Beside support and education, I ensure that all instruments at the facility perform consistently and reliably to enable the reproducibility of imaging research.
I am a Biologist by training and hold a PhD in Biophysics. Having worked in several multi-disciplinary groups during my research, I appreciated how challenging is the communication between researchers from different areas of expertise. In my last postdoc, I built several bespoke microscopes and developed a special interest in applying the theoretical and practical aspects of optical microscopy to biological problems. I particularly enjoyed communicating this knowledge to others to help colleagues deepen their understanding of microscopy. Over time, I realised that I wanted to pursue a career as an imaging scientist in a core facility setting. I believe that the role of staff support scientists is crucial to bridge the communication gap in multi-disciplinary science. To share knowledge, resources and facilitate a collaborative environment across groups and departments.
On a daily basis, Micron facility staff supports more than 200 users from several departments from across the Medical Sciences Division and beyond, aiming for the collaborative development and application of advanced imaging techniques to biomedical research.
What is the most meaningful aspect of your work?
Contributing for a wide range of bioimaging projects in our scientific community, by facilitating the access of high end instruments and throughout education and training on optical microscopy.
Can you tell us about something you’ve done, contributed to that you’re most proud of?
I am very pleased with the way I coach students and researchers. My trainings are tailored according to people’s level of expertise, to make sure advanced technical aspects of science are accessible to everyone in the context of their scientific question of interest. Being a Biologist by training, I understand the importance of having good and inspiring tutors that encourage students’ learning experience, especially in the field of multi-disciplinary cutting edge science.
What changes would you most like to see in the Medical Sciences in the next 100 years?
I would like to see more women in middle – top leadership positions in academia. And more importantly, that people skills become an essential criteria for selecting men and women with high management roles.