RJ Millena
Postdoctoral Fellow in Integrative Biology, F. Uy Lab
You work in a laboratory. What are you currently researching?
I am a member of Team Wasp in the Trop Bio Lab, investigating mechanisms of infection, manipulation, and unusual life history traits in a paper wasp host + twisted-wing parasite system. My dissertation work at the AMNH was spent looking at the systematics and taxonomy of the twisted-wing parasites (insect order Strepsiptera), which are very strange little insects that infect and develop as endoparasites within a multitude of other Insecta. My research with Team Wasp essentially seeks to pinpoint the molecular mechanisms behind major phenomena in a Strepsiptera-host system: 1) the behavioral and physiological host manipulation occurring during the synchronous development between these organisms, since parasite larvae infect larval hosts; and 2) hypermetamorphosis, wherein the parasites go through multiple developmental shifts back and forth in levels of body plan complexity, leading to extreme sexual dimorphism in the male and female parasite.
What was it that originally sparked your interest in biology?
Insects and their lives specifically have been my passion since I was a toddler. Noticing tiny details about living things has always been a great joy for me, since it kind of feels like being in on a very fun secret. This extends to how I feel about the whole of biology and science. I am very grateful to be in a position where I can pursue and share conceptual understanding of life’s “secrets” professionally.
What do you enjoy most about working here at the U of R?
I enjoy the vibrant campus community and the beauty of this location. There are so many events happening on and off campus every day, and they cover a wide variety of interests. The postdoctoral community here is active and welcoming! The Bio department has great post-seminar socials. Finger Lakes Coffee on the Med campus has creative, tasty monthly special beverages. Every morning (save for the icy ones) I bike down a very pretty trail along Genessee River that runs from my apartment straight to campus, which I’ve been really enjoying. It’s been so nice to get to know the people and places here.
How do you think our biology department stands out in comparison to other universities?
This department has a great student:faculty ratio and a strong mentorship record. This of course varies by lab, but as a relatively new member of the department I have noticed that students (both undergraduate and graduate) tend to have excellent relationships with and receive very tailored advising from their PIs. This leads to great success early on in many of these students’ careers, especially with the “unspoken curriculum” of academia; students are guided through best practices in the pursuit of funding, networking skills, and potentially the process of submitting undergraduate work for publication. Another standout that ties into this is how chalk talks for faculty hiring searches are open to graduate students, which is unique to UofR Biology out of the other institutions I have been a member of thus far.
How do you unwind when you’re not in the lab?
I am an amateur flying trapeze artist! My favorite activity is hopping off of a 25-foot high platform and doing tricks swinging from a trapeze bar. I have done this since high school off and on, but Rochester actually has a rig ~15 min from campus (ROC City Circus) so I have been attending sessions more regularly than ever before. My other downtime activities include bungee fitness, ballet, and reptile + invertebrate husbandry. I also love going to local music shows and making a fool of myself on the dance floor.