Introducing our 2022-2023 ECR Representatives
The British Society for Neuroendocrinology welcomes two new ECR Representatives:
- Dr Alejandro Ibáñez-Costa, ECR Representative
- Dr Nicole Morrissey, Deputy ECR Representative
Nicole takes over from Dr Beth Coull and Alejandro will be taking over from Dr Dave Lyons who steps down from his time in the role.
We asked Nicole and Alejandro why they decided to apply to become ECR Represetatives and what they hope to bring to the BSN community:
Dr Alejandro Ibáñez-Costa, ECR Representative
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Alejandro is a Sara Borrell Postdoctoral Researcher, IMIBIC at the Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Spain.
"I want to contribute to the BSN by supporting and helping postdoctoral and early career researchers who work in the neuroendocrinology field."
- Dr Alejandro Ibáñez-Costa, BSN's incoming ECR Representative
Why did you decide to apply to become the BSN ECR Representative?
I joined the BSN during my postdoctoral stay in the UK. At that time, I was completely overwhelmed: I was trying to integrate into a different research group, learn new techniques in a new laboratory. Moreover, I was accompanied by my wife, my toddler, and our dog. Then, after I went back to Spain, I continued being a member of the BSN, I kept updated through the webpage, and I also applied for some grants. Now, I am in a more stable situation in my career, and I want to contribute to the BSN by supporting and helping postdoctoral and early career researchers who work in the neuroendocrinology field.
What do you hope you'll learn from and bring to the BSN community as an ECR Representative?
I am currently on my third postdoc, on the tenure track; and I have endured all sort of difficulties and enjoyed all kind opportunities in my scientific career. I am a member of the Training Committee of my research institute, and am responsible for organising congresses, seminars, and outreach activities. Nevertheless, I have never been involved in depth in the activities of a scientific society, besides being a member and attending to congresses. At this point, I would like to offer my expertise in soft skills, such as networking, mentoring, grant writing, manuscript/project reviewing and, of course, laboratory techniques. But also, I am aware that I still have much to learn from senior members of the BSN community about the functioning of a scientific society.
Dr Nicole Morrissey, Deputy ECR Representative
Nicole is a postdoctoral researcher in Circadian Neuroscience at the Institute for Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
"I will endeavour to make sure that members from under-represented communities will be heard."
- Dr Nicol
e Morrissey, BSN's incoming Deputy ECR Representative
Why did you decide to apply to become the BSN Deputy ECR Representative?
I have been a member of the BSN since the beginning of my PhD and I feel that I have benefitted greatly from the opportunities that the BSN offers to ECRs and I would like to give back to that. Peers have told me that I am very approachable and make sure that everyone feels included and that their voices are heard, so I think that makes me a good candidate for the role.
What do you hope you'll learn from and bring to the BSN community as an ECR Representative?
As an ECR Representative, I hope to learn from the Senior Committee Members as to what happens behind the scenes of the BSN to ensure that the Society and its events run smoothly (and how they do this alongside their research and other academic commitments). I have experience the issues that face ECRs, such as making the most out of short-term contracts and also moving countries to seek research opportunities. I am looking forward to realising ideas I've got from my experiences in my PhD and my post-doc positions that aim to assist fellow ECRs. I believe it is our duty as scientists (and as members of society) to increase accessibility to all, and I will endeavour to make sure that members from under-represented communities will be heard.
