Welcome to the latest Sully Asks A Scientist (SAAS for short)! This one features a friend of mine from Penn State's Anth department that uses a rather squeaky and familiar mammalian model organism to learn about human anatomy. And speaking of mammals, what better way to celebrate the bracket drop for March Mammal Madness 2018 than with Kate's SAAS?! Kate even established an unofficial PSU Anth department trashtalk and updates hashtag if you'd like to follow along:
As a quick reminder, these SAAS guest blog posts will feature a Q&A format that will hopefully allow you to learn about who these scientists are as people. I'll also be sure to incorporate plenty of links for you to have quick and easy access to social media pro les, websites, articles, and other means of finding out more about each guest's research. Please leave some comments and let me know if there are other questions you'd like answered, or scientists you'd be keen on reading about. Enjoy!
Kate M. Lesciotto
Pennsylvania State University - Anthropology Ph.D. Candidate
Joan T. Richtsmeier's Morphometrics and Image Lab
Pennsylvania State University - Anthropology Ph.D. Candidate
Joan T. Richtsmeier's Morphometrics and Image Lab
What is your elevator pitch? AKA what do you do/study?
I study early craniofacial growth and development using mouse models. Right now, I’m focused on using a strain of big-brained mice as a proxy to understand how the human skull changed during the evolutionary process of encephalization (fancy word for growing big brains) – basically, as the brain gets bigger, what happens to the skull?
I study early craniofacial growth and development using mouse models. Right now, I’m focused on using a strain of big-brained mice as a proxy to understand how the human skull changed during the evolutionary process of encephalization (fancy word for growing big brains) – basically, as the brain gets bigger, what happens to the skull?
While research is the focus of my Ph.D., I have recently become very interested in pedagogy, or the science of teaching. Along with another graduate student, I organized the Pedagogy Interest Group in the anthropology department. Graduate students are (for the most part) expected to act as teaching assistants as soon as they begin at Penn State, and many of us are pursuing academic careers, but we receive no training in teaching or how to be effective instructors. The Pedagogy Interest Group was designed to help bridge that gap, and I’m really proud to be a part of that group.
Be sure to check out some of Kate's published works here!
Let's get to know you a little bit better.
Do you have any pets?
No permanent pets, but I have been the temporary caretaker of many cats (and one hamster) while at Penn State. When students go off to conferences and field work, I often get temporary custody of their furry kids. At the moment, I’m taking care of my parents’ cat while they are in the process of moving. His name is Cody, and he was hand-raised from about 2 weeks old. As seen below, he enjoy being cradled like a baby and licking my hair.
No permanent pets, but I have been the temporary caretaker of many cats (and one hamster) while at Penn State. When students go off to conferences and field work, I often get temporary custody of their furry kids. At the moment, I’m taking care of my parents’ cat while they are in the process of moving. His name is Cody, and he was hand-raised from about 2 weeks old. As seen below, he enjoy being cradled like a baby and licking my hair.
What are your top three favorite/coolest organisms?
My top choices were tardigrades and sloths, but seeing as those creatures have already been featured by previous scientists, I’ll try again.
Giraffes – they’ve become a mascot for one of my friend groups (I hope they’re reading this!).
Lactobacillus spp. – any organisms that contributes to my ability to eat, digest, and thoroughly enjoy cheese deserves to be in the spotlight.
Morgan Freeman – he narrates my life (at least in my head).
My top choices were tardigrades and sloths, but seeing as those creatures have already been featured by previous scientists, I’ll try again.
Giraffes – they’ve become a mascot for one of my friend groups (I hope they’re reading this!).
Lactobacillus spp. – any organisms that contributes to my ability to eat, digest, and thoroughly enjoy cheese deserves to be in the spotlight.
Morgan Freeman – he narrates my life (at least in my head).
What language do you want to learn?
I would love to be at least semi-fluent in Spanish. I have started Duolingo three times over the last few years, but I always seem to let my schedule get the best of me. [Dude, same.] My record was 126 consecutive days of Duolingo activity (although I have a friend who has completed more than 1000 consecutive days of French practice on Duolingo!)
I would love to be at least semi-fluent in Spanish. I have started Duolingo three times over the last few years, but I always seem to let my schedule get the best of me. [Dude, same.] My record was 126 consecutive days of Duolingo activity (although I have a friend who has completed more than 1000 consecutive days of French practice on Duolingo!)
Who do you vent to when things are going wrong? My masters’ cohort. The 7 of us went through a lot over the 2 years of our masters’ program, and even though we are all at different places, we still keep in constant contact via Facebook Messenger. They are an amazing support system and can offer a lot of insight from other research areas and graduate programs. |
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
Since all of my research is completed either in my office or the campus mouse facility, I haven’t had the opportunity for any exciting field work or travel. I will broadly say Europe – I’ve only ever been to Canada and Jamaica, so going anywhere in Europe would be huge experience.
Since all of my research is completed either in my office or the campus mouse facility, I haven’t had the opportunity for any exciting field work or travel. I will broadly say Europe – I’ve only ever been to Canada and Jamaica, so going anywhere in Europe would be huge experience.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
It’s not a superpower, but I’ve always thought that it would be pretty cool to be able to pick a lock or crack a safe. Perhaps this stems from my daily fear of locking myself out of my house…
It’s not a superpower, but I’ve always thought that it would be pretty cool to be able to pick a lock or crack a safe. Perhaps this stems from my daily fear of locking myself out of my house…
What are some of your hobbies? DUNGEONS & DRAGONS – Yes, I’m that big of a nerd. I started playing about a year and a half ago with a bunch of people from the department, and I now run a weekly game with 8 players. It may sound strange, but this has become a very rewarding part of my life – I’ve made a bunch of great friends that I may not have hung out with otherwise, and it provides a creative outlet, which is greatly needed in the high-stress environment of grad school. Crafting – mostly knitting baby blankets and cross-stitching anatomically correct organs [left]. What sorts of music do you listen to? A little bit of everything, but mostly whatever Spotify puts in my Discover Weekly playlist. Spotify is a data collector’s best friend! |
Ok, now let’s get down to business.
What is something you wish the general public knew about your field?
I wish people knew just how broad the field of anthropology truly is! My research has a lot of ties to anatomy and developmental biology, but also (hopefully) significant implications for our understanding of human evolution. Yes, mice really can help us understand human evolution!!
I wish people knew just how broad the field of anthropology truly is! My research has a lot of ties to anatomy and developmental biology, but also (hopefully) significant implications for our understanding of human evolution. Yes, mice really can help us understand human evolution!!
When/how did you know you wanted to get into the world of scientific research?
I’ve always loved science, but got diverted somewhere along the way and attended law school and worked as a litigation attorney for several years before coming back to graduate school. While I loved the people at my law firm, I knew pretty quickly that it was not the life for me. I missed science and lab work and the feeling of actually contributing knowledge to the world. It took a few years to get up the nerve to leave a pretty cushy job, but I’m tremendously happy that I did.
I’ve always loved science, but got diverted somewhere along the way and attended law school and worked as a litigation attorney for several years before coming back to graduate school. While I loved the people at my law firm, I knew pretty quickly that it was not the life for me. I missed science and lab work and the feeling of actually contributing knowledge to the world. It took a few years to get up the nerve to leave a pretty cushy job, but I’m tremendously happy that I did.
How do you attempt to maintain a work-life balance?
Have I mentioned how much I enjoy Dungeons & Dragons? Running a game for 8 people means that I am forced to take a break from work to figure out the next step of the story (Will they fight a dragon next? What is the dragon’s motivation? What if the dragon is actually the good guy and the town elder is the villain?). It also means that I have 8 people depending on me to show up and be social, so I’m less likely to cancel a gathering and remain wrapped in a blanket on my couch, which is my normal state of being while not in the office.
Have I mentioned how much I enjoy Dungeons & Dragons? Running a game for 8 people means that I am forced to take a break from work to figure out the next step of the story (Will they fight a dragon next? What is the dragon’s motivation? What if the dragon is actually the good guy and the town elder is the villain?). It also means that I have 8 people depending on me to show up and be social, so I’m less likely to cancel a gathering and remain wrapped in a blanket on my couch, which is my normal state of being while not in the office.
What are your strengths/weaknesses as a researcher?
Funny enough, I think that a lot of my strengths as a researcher come from my experience as an attorney. Litigation practice taught me possibly the best skills – self-motivation, good time management, and the ability to crank out written work and send it out without spending too long agonizing over potential edits. Trying to maintain/build up a publishing record is a daunting task while taking classes, teaching, and trying to do research in grad school, so having the skills to (1) get myself to sit down and write even when I don’t want to and (2) accept that my advisor/a journal’s reviewers will have likely have massive edits without stressing out too much has been a gift.
Funny enough, I think that a lot of my strengths as a researcher come from my experience as an attorney. Litigation practice taught me possibly the best skills – self-motivation, good time management, and the ability to crank out written work and send it out without spending too long agonizing over potential edits. Trying to maintain/build up a publishing record is a daunting task while taking classes, teaching, and trying to do research in grad school, so having the skills to (1) get myself to sit down and write even when I don’t want to and (2) accept that my advisor/a journal’s reviewers will have likely have massive edits without stressing out too much has been a gift.
What do you like/dislike about your research?
Like: As an 80s/90s child, I really enjoy getting to compare my research to Pinky and the Brain. Actually, my dad came up with the comparison, and it works quite well. It’s a great way to explain my research to a non-scientific audience.
Dislike: The time requirements of my research protocol. My research requires me to breed mice at very specific timed intervals and get multiple CT scans of all my specimens. This results in a very time consuming process before I can even think about starting to collect data. I defended my dissertation proposal over a year ago and still do not have any analyzable data.
Like: As an 80s/90s child, I really enjoy getting to compare my research to Pinky and the Brain. Actually, my dad came up with the comparison, and it works quite well. It’s a great way to explain my research to a non-scientific audience.
Dislike: The time requirements of my research protocol. My research requires me to breed mice at very specific timed intervals and get multiple CT scans of all my specimens. This results in a very time consuming process before I can even think about starting to collect data. I defended my dissertation proposal over a year ago and still do not have any analyzable data.
What do you like/dislike about academia (AKA research/higher-ed community)?
Like: The flexible schedule is both a blessing and curse. Having the freedom to arrange my schedule as needed has been great. Of course, that flexibility means that when well-intentioned family members ask when I’ll graduate, I can never give a satisfactory answer :).
Dislike: I’ve come to dislike the tunnel-vision focus of grad school (in general) on research. I understand that PhD programs are research-based, but the vast majority of students will not have 100% research careers. I wish that (1) there was more recognition of and respect for non-research career trajectories and (2) more support and opportunities for grad students to develop non-research skills (i.e., teaching).
Like: The flexible schedule is both a blessing and curse. Having the freedom to arrange my schedule as needed has been great. Of course, that flexibility means that when well-intentioned family members ask when I’ll graduate, I can never give a satisfactory answer :).
Dislike: I’ve come to dislike the tunnel-vision focus of grad school (in general) on research. I understand that PhD programs are research-based, but the vast majority of students will not have 100% research careers. I wish that (1) there was more recognition of and respect for non-research career trajectories and (2) more support and opportunities for grad students to develop non-research skills (i.e., teaching).
What is something that fascinates you from a field that is not your own?
Much of my previous work in forensic anthropology and my current research focuses on bones. I’m currently TA’ing a 400-level mammalian physiology lab, and I am constantly geeking out over the ‘squishy bits’ – learning more about soft tissue structures and physiological systems other than the skeleton is tremendous. Did you know that the nerve cell that allows you to move your little toe travels all the way from the base of your spine? We always imagine single cells as being tiny, microscopic entities, but a single nerve cell can be nearly 3 feet long in the human body!
Much of my previous work in forensic anthropology and my current research focuses on bones. I’m currently TA’ing a 400-level mammalian physiology lab, and I am constantly geeking out over the ‘squishy bits’ – learning more about soft tissue structures and physiological systems other than the skeleton is tremendous. Did you know that the nerve cell that allows you to move your little toe travels all the way from the base of your spine? We always imagine single cells as being tiny, microscopic entities, but a single nerve cell can be nearly 3 feet long in the human body!
Who would you say is inspirational?
My masters’ cohort (again). Every one of these people is amazing and inspirational in how they have handled the rigors of academics and life in general. Plus, the seven of us once took down an entire freshly baked blueberry pie in less than 15 minutes without plates or needing to cut it into slices – I’d say that’s pretty inspirational.
My masters’ cohort (again). Every one of these people is amazing and inspirational in how they have handled the rigors of academics and life in general. Plus, the seven of us once took down an entire freshly baked blueberry pie in less than 15 minutes without plates or needing to cut it into slices – I’d say that’s pretty inspirational.
What do you do/need to get focused and get your work done?
QUIET! I have no idea how some people are able to listen to music while trying to read or write. Thankfully, my officemate is very understanding and wears headphones.
QUIET! I have no idea how some people are able to listen to music while trying to read or write. Thankfully, my officemate is very understanding and wears headphones.
What advice would you give five-year-old you? What about fifteen-year-old you?
5 year old me – Keep playing with bugs, and thank your parents for letting you do so!
15 year old me – Don’t be so concerned that the things you are interested in are ‘weird’. ‘Weird’ people often make the best friends, and ‘weird’ interests can turn into the most rewarding careers.
5 year old me – Keep playing with bugs, and thank your parents for letting you do so!
15 year old me – Don’t be so concerned that the things you are interested in are ‘weird’. ‘Weird’ people often make the best friends, and ‘weird’ interests can turn into the most rewarding careers.
Where do you hope to go with your career?
At the moment, I am very focused on pursuing a career that emphasizes teaching human anatomy and physiology. I’ve been lucky enough to forge some connections in the Department of Biology at Penn State and have a supportive advisor and department chair in Anthropology, which has given me the opportunity to be a teaching assistant for several anatomy and physiology courses. I also still love forensic anthropology (I have an M.S. in forensic anthropology), so if I could find some work consulting on forensic cases as a side job while teaching anatomy, life would be pretty much perfect.
At the moment, I am very focused on pursuing a career that emphasizes teaching human anatomy and physiology. I’ve been lucky enough to forge some connections in the Department of Biology at Penn State and have a supportive advisor and department chair in Anthropology, which has given me the opportunity to be a teaching assistant for several anatomy and physiology courses. I also still love forensic anthropology (I have an M.S. in forensic anthropology), so if I could find some work consulting on forensic cases as a side job while teaching anatomy, life would be pretty much perfect.