Neuronline Spotlight: New Series Celebrates the Careers of Neuroscientists

In Notable Careers: Reflections on Science, Leadership, and Community, an interview series new to Neuronline this spring, five neuroscientists from the United States, France, and Argentina look back on the careers they built around scientific discovery and personal connection.

The series features emeritus SfN members Connie Atwell, Marie-Françoise Chesselet, Michael Oberdorfer, Osvaldo Uchitel, and James Townsel, reflecting on how they found their place in the field and made significant scientific contributions, as well as who and what inspired them and influenced their decisions. They also share advice for neuroscientists at all career stages on topics such as resilience, community building, and career transitions.

When Connie Atwell moved across the country with her family, she swapped running a lab for working in research administration. Atwell discusses how she re-evaluated her academic career and found a new direction.

After leaving her home in France to move the United States, Marie-Françoise Chesselet found “cultural translators” in the lab and elsewhere to help her adapt to the new culture.

Michael Oberdorfer reflects on how his numerous collaborators influenced and enriched his work, which included expanding programs at NSF and NIH’s National Eye Institute. 

Although he contemplated leaving his home country of Argentina, then under a dictatorship that did not value science, Osvaldo Uchitel decided to stay and overcome funding obstacles by relying on his global connections.

Drawing on his personal experiences, James Townsel successfully founded a strong neuroscience training program at Meharry Medical College.

Neuronline is SfN’s members-only home for learning and discussion. View the collection of professional development and training resources and connect with your peers at neuronline.sfn.org.