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Why Are We Scientists? Drawing Inspiration From Rita Levi-Montalcini
- Source :
- Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, Vol 15 (2022), Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
- Publication Year :
- 2022
- Publisher :
- Frontiers Media S.A., 2022.
-
Abstract
- In 2007, drawing inspiration from her previous experiments on chick embryos, Rita Levi-Montalcini, at the age of 98, proposed a new project, and a research group, in which I was included, was formed at the European Brain Research Institute (EBRI). Looking back on this experience, I can say that Professor Levi-Montalcini’s approach and the relationships she formed with my colleagues and me, contributed to my growth as a researcher. With her welcoming and warm-hearted disposition, she taught me how to consider other people’s ideas without prejudice, to reason and not to exclude any hypothesis. I also learned from her how to overcome those difficulties that are so frequent in the research field, always keeping in mind the starting point and looking toward the objective, with a factual optimism. I was just a young researcher and deeply flattered that a Nobel Laureate, with an incredible career and extraordinary life, treated me as her equal. My experience with Professor Levi-Montalcini has also provided me with a reliable path to follow, and when I encounter difficulties and challenges, I ask myself what would she have done. This approach has always helped me to move forward. Indeed, I believe the best way to celebrate Rita Levi-Montalcini as a woman in neuroscience is to recount how her exceptional example is a constant reminder as to why I have chosen to be a scientist. I hope she will always continue to be a source of inspiration for scientists in the future.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 16625102
- Volume :
- 15
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....b614b2fa95204eeb213ecbbe6985b8c8
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2021.741984/full