Graduate
Innovation in Education
Our program teaches the essential research and communication skills for a career as an independent scientist.
Anika Hutton
In the Moura Silva lab, I study macrophages, a type of immune cell, in the context of homeostasis. Our lab wants to understand the role of resident tissue macrophages in maintaining tissue physiology and homeostasis. I’m specifically interested in how environmental signaling through development and epigenetic regulation can define resident tissue macrophage heterogeneity. I’m working on the same project I proposed when I rotated in the lab, and shaping your thesis project is a constant endeavor and a real labor of love. The fact that I’ve been thinking about the same overarching question for three years, but still constantly find little pockets that are new and exciting, reminds me of why I love research and decided to go to graduate school in the first place. I love my science, and I’m excited to think about my project every day, but I’ve also learned that in order to do things well long-term, you need to find a balance with the other things in life that bring you joy. Making time for friends, yoga classes, good food, and time off is something I also need to make room for!