Pushing Boundaries? These Innovators Are.

Scientific breakthroughs just don’t happen, they are made by scientists pushing yet another boundary to reveal new insights. Progress is driven by breakthroughs and failures. It is the ability to overcome the challenges you face that define you. We interviewed three scientists who dream big and asked them about how they keep seeking inspiration inside and outside the lab as they persevere towards scientific discovery. For their full story, be sure to visit Meet The Innovators.

Dr. Christina Waters, PhD, MBA

“Even though it may not fit with the way things are done now, if it’s in your heart, you should do it.”

Dr. Christina Waters is a geneticist, as well as the CEO and Founder of Rare Science, a nonprofit research organization focused on accelerating and identifying therapies for rare kids. She identified this need and answered it with a foundation she envisioned with heartfelt purpose. Additionally, when faced with the obstacle of finding families around the world with the same rare disease, Dr. Water’s started the Rare Bear Army, which achieved even more. It connects rare families and communities, raising awareness of the disease and creating patient family groups for genetic sequencing to help understand the biology that can lead to therapies.

When confronted with challenges, Dr. Waters ignores the people that say, “that’s not going to work” and instead chooses to push through and think outside of the box to come up with solutions so that ultimately, she can dream bigger and achieve more. Read her full story here.

Olivier Humbert, PhD

“A failed experiment will at some point be followed by a breakthrough.”

Dr. Olivier Humbert is a cancer researcher working to improve the efficacy and safety of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in blood stem cells. The goal of his research is to take DNA from a patient’s cells, treat the DNA in the lab to delete the underlying mutation, and then transplant the modified cells back into the patient.

Making strides in research is not always easy. When Dr. Humbert faces challenges in his work, he chooses to connect with nature and go for a bicycle ride. As a child, he spent a lot of time outside surrounded by nature, which triggered his curiosity in how living things work and how they’re put together. Reconnecting with nature reminds him of why he became a scientist in the first place and clears his mind to allow for new ideas to flow in. Indeed, pushing through boundaries reveals new insights. Read his full story here.

MacLane Watson

“Failure helps me learn by pushing me to adjust my approach and dig deeper into the details.”

MacLane Watson is an immunology researcher studying the effect that metabolite manipulation has on immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. He is on a quest to deliver new, life-saving cancer treatments.

Despite having early success, Watson is familiar with the struggle of setbacks. When faced with challenges, he uses the lessons he learned from being a concert cellist, including the importance of team collaboration, to persevere. With his sights set on what he can achieve tomorrow, he continues to seek even more answers in his journey to discovery. Read his full story here.

Making strides in science is challenging and the ability to continue your research when confronted with challenges is key. Tomorrows breakthroughs start with what is being done today. How do you overcome obstacles so that you can dream bigger and achieve more? Share your story in the comments below.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.