Rui Pires Martins is the Researcher Development Advisor for Postdocs and Early-Career Researchers at Queen Mary University of London, UK.

{credit}Image credit: Rui Pires Martins{/credit}

Say hello to Rui!

What is your scientific background?

My background is in the molecular biology and genetics of developing systems. My doctoral studies involved looking at the molecular changes that prime gene clusters for transcription during spermatogenesis. As an EMBO fellow, I investigated epigenetic and cell polarisation phenomena in pre-implantation mouse embryos. During my second postdoc, I focused on chromatin structure and nuclear architecture changes that accompany differentiation and nuclear reprogramming.

Why did you decide to leave academic research?

In some respects, I haven’t. I suppose after so many years of relying on an evidence base to guide my laboratory investigations, I seek to do the same as a researcher developer. I conduct institutionally-based research when I can to inform my practise as an adviser to postdocs. Continue reading →