12 | Samantha Morris on building your own creative lineage
Jan 8, 2022
54:22
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Quick takeaways
Implementing the big idea series in lab meetings to nurture unconventional creativity.
Balancing hypothesis-driven research with technology development to drive innovation in scientific exploration.
Deep dives
Encouraging Creativity Through Big Idea Series
One strategy discussed in the podcast to foster creativity was the implementation of the big idea series during main lab meetings. In this series, individuals would present two sides of a big idea, creating a space for unconventional and wild ideas to thrive. This approach aimed to encourage creativity and support the exploration of innovative concepts within the scientific community.
Sam Morris's Journey to Creativity
The podcast highlighted Sam Morris's journey from being the first in her family to enter academia, to her experiences in various research environments. Morris reflected on her early training, including a challenging PhD process, and a postdoc opportunity that significantly influenced her creative and scientific development. She emphasized the importance of mentorship and having a supportive environment to foster creativity and scientific exploration.
Balancing Hypothesis-Driven and Technology-Driven Research
The importance of balancing hypothesis-driven research with technology development was emphasized in the podcast. Sam Morris discussed how her lab focuses on grounded biological questions while continuously exploring new tools and technologies to push boundaries and generate innovative solutions. This approach aims to drive impactful research outcomes while encouraging creativity and scientific advancement.
Precision in Language and Visualization for Clear Communication
The podcast underscored the significance of precise language and clear visualization in scientific communication. Sam Morris highlighted the importance of defining terminology within the scientific community to avoid misinterpretations and enhance clarity. She emphasized the role of meticulous visualizations in effectively conveying scientific concepts to a broader audience and promoting transparent and accurate scientific communication.
Professor Sam Morris from Washington University in St. Louis is elucidating how cells make developmental decisions as they navigate the space of cell identity. She had a rocky start in science, but falling in love with her projects led her to stick it out. Luckily so: she now runs a highly successful and highly creative lab. Sam thoughtfully discusses how terminology - such as ‘dead end states’ versus ‘partially reprogrammed states’ - can influence the interpretation of results in a project. She also allowed us to peek into her lab meetings: every time, in addition to the progress reports on ongoing projects, one person presents a bold, new idea on any topic.