From the diary of an embryologist
Today, I had the opportunity to interview Beatriz Rodriguez, a postdoctoral researcher working at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She did her PhD from University College Dublin with a Marie-Curie Fellowship. She is working on different projects that aim to develop novel methods for whole genome sequencing of trophectoderm cells (these cells are used to perform embryo preimplantation genetic diagnosis), identify genes responsible for human miscarriage, and study primary ovarian insufficiency with human and animal models.
Through her work, Beatriz has made significant contributions to her field , and obtained multiple recognitions such as being the recipient of the “Ángel Bayo Prize” for the best original article in the International Journal of Andrology. Additionally, she was selected as a Young Ambassador of the 34th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. Beatriz also obtained a 1st place award of the 34th Association of Embryo Technology in a European student competition. In 2018 she was a finalist of the MSCA Awards for the category “Outreach of the MSCA Project.” In this interview, she shares how her current research and experience as a clinical embryologist helps her contribute to the health of women and fetuses.
Read on, to know more about her work and her thoughts on becoming a good researcher.
Tell me a little about yourself and your research interests.
I am Beatriz Rodriguez Alonso, a 33-year-old from Spain, currently working as a Postdoc in Reproductive Genomics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Reproduction and Fertility is my lifelong passion, and I have devoted my career to analyzing and experiencing the field through both clinical and research perspectives. My main focus has always been embryology.
What made you interested in reproductive biology and particularly in reproductive genomics?
To me, reproductive biology embodied the perfect mix of being a clinician and working in the lab. That is why I specialized in the field of human reproduction and infertility and started my journey as a clinical embryologist. As a clinician, I was encouraged to participate in research projects, and this fueled my desire to do a PhD. I have always tried to make my career decisions with foresight and approach each crossroads with a strategy to attain prospective goals. It is clear that genomics and bioinformatics are gaining increased relevance in almost every health field, and I knew that I needed those relevant skills. That is why I enrolled in a postdoc that enabled me to gain more insights into reproductive genomics.
Please share your experiences from your PhD and on securing a Marie-Curie Fellowship.
Doing a PhD was a great opportunity in itself, and doing so through the Rep-Biotech Joint Doctoral Project made the experience even better. As a PhD student within the Marie-Skłodowska Curie Innovative Training Network, I had the opportunity to live in two countries, work in three laboratories, and attend many international meetings and courses over a period of three years. I was very lucky to work in great labs with amazing people, and to be supervised by Dr. Dimitrios Rizos and Prof. Patrick Lonergan, both of them extraordinary scientists.
How has your PhD research contributed to your field?
My research aimed to improve our knowledge of embryo-maternal communication during the preimplantation stages of pregnancy. Specifically, I studied the communication between the early embryo and the oviduct tube using the bovine model. My key contributions have been:
- description of the negative impact of asynchrony between the embryo developmental stage and the reproductive tract (oestrous cycle stage) on embryo survival (1);
- the study of oviductal feedback to the embryo presence in terms of changes on the proteomic, amino acidic and carbohydrate content in the oviductal fluid (2); and
- the development of methodologies proposed to be used as the basis for future research into the mechanisms underlying embryo-oviduct communication (3, 4).
What research projects have you completed or contributed to as a postdoc? How did you manage them?
I am involved in different projects that aim to develop novel methods for preimplantation genetic testing, identifying genes responsible for human miscarriage, and the study of primary ovarian insufficiency with human and animal models. As a postdoc, I lead all my projects with the help and guidance of my PI, Dr. Aleksandar Rajkovic. The ultimate goal as a postdoc is developing the skills of managing not only your projects but also your own lab, and that is the training I am receiving.
How do you think your current research helps society in general?
My current research encompasses a variety of fields ranging from woman health to the health of the embryo/fetus. My research aims to improve the diagnosis of in vitro produced embryos before its implantation in the uterus. Ultimately, this could lead to the selection of healthy embryos without underlying genetic diseases. Additionally, we are exploring the effects of primary ovarian insufficiency on overall health of women, which will lead to a better health care of women with this pathology. Finally, we are investigating the key genes involved in recurrent miscarriages. This knowledge will lead to improved diagnoses of couples that are carriers of mutations that may result in recurrent pregnancy loss, and enable the selection of embryos that are free of deleterious mutations in these essential genes.
What qualities do you feel make a good researcher?
I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with many successful researchers and each of them had a different set of skills that lead them to be amongst the best in their fields of study. Despite their differences, they all had something in common: passion. Good researchers love what they do, and genuinely enjoy the process of finding the right answers.
Can you describe a time you had to overcome challenges impeding your research progress? What was the outcome?
As a researcher I have faced all kinds of challenges, from those that you can overcome to those that you can’t. One of the most valuable things that I have learned during my postdoc is knowing when it is worth to keep fighting for a project, and when to let go. Being rational and critical when making this decision can save you a lot of time and frustration.
What is your favorite quote?
“Wherever you are, be there totally.” Eckhart Tolle.
Could you please give out some tips for future researchers, especially the early stage researchers?
My first advice would be to consider the PhD as a long-term project that needs to be taken one step at a time. It is important to remember that work-life balance is not only a real option, but the best way to go! Finally, be proactive: participate in training, student competitions, and any other opportunities that will increase your knowledge, experience or network.
References
- Rodríguez-Alonso B, Sánchez JM, Hamdi M, McDonald M, Havlicek V, Besenfelder U, Lonergan P and Rizos D. Asynchrony between the early embryo and the reproductive tract affects subsequent embryo development in cattle. Reproduction, Fertility and Development. 2020. DOI: 10.1071/RD19360
- Rodríguez-Alonso B, Maillo V, Salvador O, López-Úbeda R, Torrecillas A, S Constantine, Sturmey R, Aviles M, Lonergan P and Rizos D. Spatial and pregnancy-related changes in the protein, amino acid, and carbohydrate composition of bovine oviduct fluid. Int J Mol Sci. 2020. DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051681.
- Rodríguez-Alonso B, Hamdi M, Sánchez JM, Maillo V, Gutierrez-Adan A, Lonergan P and Rizos D. An approach to studying the local embryo effect on gene expression in the bovine oviduct epithelium in vivo. Reproduction in Domestic Animals. 2019. DOI: 10.1111/rda.13558
- Hamdi M, Sánchez Calabuig M, Rodríguez-Alonso B, Roussi K, Gutierrez-Adan A, Sturmey R, Lonergan P and Rizos D. Gene expression and metabolic response of bovine oviduct epithelial cells to early embryo in vitro. Reproduction. 2019. DOI: 10.1530/REP-18–0561
About the interviewee: Beatriz grew up in Madrid, Spain, and completed her PhD in Dublin, Ireland. To learn more about her career, follow her on Twitter (@BRodriguezAlns), LinkedIn , or contact her at rodriguezalonso.b@gmail.com
About the interviewer: Utkarsh Singh, is a Marie-Curie Individual Fellow and R&D Scientist at depsys SA, Switzerland. He completed his PhD in Electrical Engineering from IIT Roorkee, India and has worked as a postdoc in Belgium for 2 years. His interests include artificial intelligence & power systems.
