Featured ICSA members
Meet our members, read about their stories and aspirations. Do you want to feature on this page? Contact us for an interview.
.jpg)
01 - From Argentina
Florencia L. Herbstein
"I’m an Argentinian Ph.D. student who’s currently working on cellular senescence and cancer at Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBioBA), a partner Institute of the Max Planck Society for the last four years supported by a national scholarship from CONICET under the direction of Dr. Eduardo Arzt. I’m also part of the teaching staff at the School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, the University of Buenos Aires and I’ve given human physiology lessons for the last 8 years."
What are you working on?
"I study the molecular mechanisms that explain why pituitary tumors are senescent focusing on interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling.
How I joined yICSA I was following ICSA since I started my Ph.D. When the 2020 meeting in Japan turned out to be a hybrid conference with the possibility to attend virtually, I was very excited that I could join and see worldwide work in the senescence field. The virtual conference in Japan gave me the chance to see, take part and keep posted on the new findings in the field as well when I attended the yICSA’s (young ICSA) special seminar with their invited speaker and I became aware that they were recruiting for several positions on the yICSA committee.
Joining yICSA was and still is an exceptional and multicultural experience that allows me to virtually interact with peers from almost all over the world."
What dis ICSA sponsorship represent to you?
"Thanks to ICSA’s support I have the exceptional chance to attend ICSA’s annual conference in person in The Netherlands. This is the first time I’ll be attending a scientific meeting outside Argentina and consequently that I’ll be able to present my results and meet an international community that works on cellular senescence. It does not just represent the chance to be among the most prestigious academic society in the field but will let me take part in in-person talks and debates.
This is a very motivating opportunity that certainly will be a breakthrough in my career and make a difference as a young Latin American scientist which is why I’m deeply grateful to ICSA’s community."
What are the challenges you feel you face as a PhD student in Argentina?
"Since we are far away from Europe/North America, plane tickers are expensive so it’s difficult to attend international conferences or have in-person contact with students from all over the world."
Do you have any recommendations or advice to students that may not have the financial means to support a trip to an international conference?
"I’d stay to keep updated with virtual seminars or conferences that are usually announced on social networks. I’d also look for travel fellowships and sponsor in different scientific associations."
What was the experience of attending the ICSA meeting like for you? What was the most valuable/important aspect of having been able to attend the in-person meeting (as compared to the virtual one)?
"Undoubtedly, the chance to speak with peers from overseas was one of the most valuable experiences. Also, the opportunity to hear the feedback of my work from the top scientists on the field was very constructive for me. Moreover, the chance to approach in-person to scientists whose work I’m interested in, was more beneficial than reaching them via email."
Video credits: Biomedicine Research Institute of Buenos Aires (IBioBA)- Press and multimedia