From PhD to Group Leader: Navigating the Path to Scientific Independence

An interview with the SR-Tiget Alumnus Francesco Boccalatte

In the competitive field of academic research, the transition to independence represents perhaps the most difficult step in a scientist's career. In this interview Francesco Boccalatte shares his journey and insights gained along the path from a passionate PhD student to establishing his own lab.

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Could you introduce yourself and outline your current roles?

I am Francesco Boccalatte, currently leading the research group “Genomic Architecture of Cancer” at the Candiolo Cancer Institute in Turin, Italy, and serving as an adjunct faculty at the New York University (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine in New York, USA. My lab focuses on uncovering the epigenetic underpinnings of oncogenesis and drug resistance, particularly in acute leukemia.

Your independent lab sounds like a significant undertaking. What are your main responsibilities?

Having recently established my independent laboratory, my primary responsibilities currently include training personnel, setting up projects and collaborations, analyzing data, preparing reports, and securing funding for the lab. While I aim to allocate some time to hands-on work at the bench, my involvement in direct experimental tasks is progressively decreasing as I am responsible for many other managerial tasks.

Reflecting on your career journey, how did your time at SR-Tiget shape your path?

My training at SR-Tiget was a pivotal chapter of my career. I started my PhD there in the lab of Prof. Naldini with minimal knowledge about gene therapy, but I quickly became fascinated by its potential to cure diseases by precisely correcting stem cell alterations. The six years I spent there, first as a PhD student and then as a fellow, were instrumental. The experience I gained with stem cells and epigenetics at SR-Tiget paved the way for my postdoctoral position at NYU, under Prof. Iannis Aifantis, and eventually to leading my own lab. Towards the end of my training at NYU, I applied for independent funding, and I was awarded a generous start-up grant by AIRC, which led me to establish my independent lab in Italy.

What words come to mind when you think about your experience at SR-Tiget?

Exciting, competitive, and collegial. It was a place that fostered my growth within a vibrant and supportive community.

Is there a key lesson from SR-Tiget that has influenced your career trajectory?

It is difficult to pick one single thing, since at SR-Tiget I learned many fundamental skills for my future career. If I have to choose, I would say the paramount importance of networking and collaboration. While working at SR-Tiget I have been exposed to an incredible range of in-house expertise and technology, but I was also encouraged to present my data at national and international meetings.? This exposure not only broadened my scientific horizons but also led to meaningful collaborations and friendships that have been invaluable in my career.

Finally, what advice would you offer to junior scientists embarking on their careers?

Never settle for something that does not resonate with you. If you find yourself feeling stuck, explore different avenues until you discover what ignites your passion and, as soon as you figure it out, invest all your energy in it. And most importantly, be a team player and have fun with your science and the people around you. Remember that science is all about passion, curiosity and the willingness to venture into the unknown.