Before we go into the detail of last week's first annual WIA symposium, we would like to direct your attention to the first WIA logo. From a range of interesting and creative designs, submitted by our WIA members, one logo stood out. That logo was designed by Marta Martinez Vicente, a member of WIA Scientific Advice Committee. She kindly agreed to answer our questions, telling us a bit about herself, her research and what lies behind that fantastic logo she designed.
Q: Tell us about yourself.
Marta: I am a tenured researcher at the VHIR Institute in Barcelona (Spain). I am in charge of the Autophagy and Lysosomal Dysfunction laboratory within the Neurodegenerative Diseases Group. Our lines of research focus on the study of the role of lysosome and autophagy in Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases. Q: Tell us about your research. How long have you been looking into autophagy?
M: I've been working in autophagy for more than 15 years now, since I started my postdoc in Ana Maria Cuervo lab in New York. She conveyed her enthusiasm for autophagy and after my stay in her laboratory I have maintained this line of research.
Q: Can you tell us the story behind how you designed this logo? What inspired it and what is the meaning behind it?
M: I prepared different logos for the WIA all of them with very different styles, but all sharing the concept of "vesicle fusion". Finally, I submitted two logos for the contest and I am happy that both were selected in the final vote and, in fact, I did not vote for the current winning WIA logo. I actually voted the other option, which in my opinion was nicer, but I am very glad that people have different tastes and opinions and that this logo has been finally selected to be the image of WIA.
Q: How long have you been combining art with science?
M: I have always liked painting and drawing, it is my true passion and, in fact, the part that I enjoy the most when I prepare my publications or presentations is to design the images and graphic drawings. Whenever my work (and my kids!) leave me some free time, what I like the most is making some sketches and painting with watercolors.
Interview by: Andrea Gubas, Roxana Resnik, and Carmen Figueras-Novoa
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