FELLOW PROFILE

Louis Valente
P ost-doctoral Fellow
Wistar Institute
University of Pennsylvania

 

What is your current academic (or professional) affiliation (where do you work – go to school, etc.), and what is your current research area?

I’m a post-doctoral Fellow at the Wistar Institute in the University of Pennsylvania.  My research activities include the analysis of the Adenosine Deaminases Acting on RNA, proteins involved in RNA modifications, and its role in RNAi mediated gene silencing.


Where were you born and raised?

Brooklyn, New York

 

Where did you receive your undergraduate and graduate degrees?

B.S. Biochemisty 1996 - S.U.N.Y at Stony Brook

Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences 2003 - Rutgers University / UMDNJ


What was your favorite subject in grade school, middle school, high school?

Grade - Science; Middle - Science; High School - Biology/Chemistry

 

Who was your favorite K-12 teacher, and why?

My high school track coach Mr. Malek because he inspired me to believe in myself and that I can accomplish my goals.

 

What would you say is the MOST important characteristic of a great mentor?

Some one who is there for you, listens, gives advice and challenges you.


If you could choose one other career (something other than science) what would it be, and why?

I would try business because it would be a new challenge.  But I have to admit that I do have an interest in Biotech business.


If you could give ONE piece of advice to students younger than yourself who want to go into science, what would that be?

Join a laboratory early in your career to figure out what you like. 


When you graduate, what do you regard as the MOST important contribution you can make to society?

I think being a role model to those around me whether directly or indirectly because in one way or another we touch the people around us.


When you turn 50 years old, what do you MOST want to be able to say about your life?

That I took life by charge and that I played the game hard.  That all my hard work in my youth paid off.