This interview is part of the “Neuroscience Scholars Program Fellows Spotlight” collection, in which current Neuroscience Scholars Program (NSP) fellows highlight their careers, achievements, and the importance of diverse perspectives in neuroscience. Read on to learn more about Karen Malacon, who is pursuing an MD and PhD in neuroscience at Stanford.
Can you share a little bit about your background?
Born and raised in Southern California, I am the oldest daughter of Mexican immigrants. I graduated from Harvard University with a degree in neurobiology and a minor in global health and health policy. I was the de facto translator and interpreter for my family, conveying information at doctors’ appointments. I embraced the opportunity to bridge the linguistic divides between individuals that would have otherwise been unable to communicate, laying the groundwork for my future in science.
Describe your journey in neuroscience and current research.
Working as a counselor at Friends of Angel, a summer camp for children with autism, marked my initial introduction to neurodevelopment. As a result of this experience, I conducted neuroscience research at Stanford during high school. At Harvard, I joined Staci Bilbo’s lab, where I studied the neuroimmune effects of prenatal exposure to air pollution. As an MD/PhD candidate at Stanford in Michelle Monje’s lab, I am investigating how early life influenza infection impacts brain function.
Why do you think diversity is important in neuroscience?
Diverse teams bring a wide range of perspectives and ideas, which is essential for innovation in neuroscience. Different backgrounds can lead to novel hypotheses, unique approaches to research, and creative problem-solving strategies. Diversity in neuroscience helps to build trust within communities that have historically been underserved or marginalized. Patients are more likely to seek and adhere to medical advice when they feel understood and represented by their healthcare providers.
What are one or more things that you have been excited about recently in your research?
I am excited by my current research, which integrates my undergraduate work in neurodevelopment with my current lab’s expertise in glial cell dysregulation. One particularly relevant aspect of my research is addressing the cognitive impairment, experienced by up to 44% of children in the United States with long COVID. Despite its prevalence, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, and I am enthusiastic about leveraging my past experience to contribute to this critical area of study.
Describe your experience as an underrepresented neuroscientist. How has this impacted you?
As an underrepresented neuroscientist, I am incredibly fortunate to have mentors who encourage me to pursue my career aspirations. I know I would not be where I am today without their early support, especially during times when I doubted myself. This experience has motivated me to mentor students at various stages of their careers. I served as the director of a mentoring program for elementary school girls in Boston communities and currently help students with their graduate school applications.
What has been your biggest career and/or personal achievement?
One of my most significant achievements has been cultivating a deep interest in global health advocacy and health policy work. This journey began during college when I interned at a nongovernmental organization (NGO) in Kenya, focusing on community HIV interventions. Recently, I furthered this passion by interning at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on the Health Outcomes team. There, I leveraged my background in neuroscience research and medical training to contribute to various impactful initiatives.
What change do you hope to see in the STEM community?
I hope to see significant improvements in reproducibility, which is currently quite low. This undermines confidence in scientific findings and the scientific process. The path forward includes a greater acceptance and shift towards publishing null results and embracing open research, where methods and results are openly shared. Instead of the current incentives focused on publishing quickly and in prestigious journals, we need to establish incentives that promote rigorous and transparent science.
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