AMA Recording with Dr. Phillip Kyriakakis. Flipping the Molecular Light Switch: Dr. Phillip Kyriakakis and the World of Optogenetics

Hey all!

Posting the recording here to Dr. Phillip Kyriakakis' (https://scifind.io/profiles/phillip-kyriakakis-i73l2rqgm6dfxlu) AMA!

Really fun chat and great to hear about all his work and journey. (https://the-fancy-labcoat-guild.simplecast.com/episodes/flipping-the-molecular-light-switch-dr-phillip-kyriakakis-and-the-world-of-optogenetics?t=1m0s). Can also check it out on Spotify here (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wvT4IOtW1HnynjbcZt91T?si=ea644585f7394f12)

Episode Summary

Prepare for an episode of the Fancy Labcoat Guild that's less 'blinding flash of light' 🔦 and more 'steady, comforting glow' 💡. We've got an AMA on our Discord with the humble luminary - Dr. Phillip Kyriakakis. He's the kind of guy who tinkers with molecular light switches in optogenetics, a field most of us can't even spell correctly on the first try. 🧠🔬

His career trajectory has taken him from UMass Boston 🏫 to UC San Diego, and now to Stanford as a Senior Research Scientist. He's spent all this time flipping the switch on the field of optogenetics, and not in a way that requires protective eyewear. 🕶️

Dr. Kyriakakis isn't just about the science, though. He's a genuine, curious soul with a range of expertise that includes dabbling in electrical engineering! Plus, he's got this knack for making people smile, probably a side effect of spending so much time with biological lights. 😊

In this episode, we delve into the nitty-gritty of optogenetics, the highs and lows 🎢 of Dr. Kyriakakis's journey, and the joy of scientific discovery.