Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
@izabellapena.bsky.social
#newPI @ Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (CHEO-RI), Assist. Professor, University of Ottawa
@uottawamed.bsky.social 🇧🇷in🇨🇦 www.penalab.ca
Former @MIT_Picower
#rarediseases #vitamins #metabolism #genetics #zebrafish #newMom
@uottawamed.bsky.social 🇧🇷in🇨🇦 www.penalab.ca
Former @MIT_Picower
#rarediseases #vitamins #metabolism #genetics #zebrafish #newMom
Pinned
SLC25A38 is required for mitochondrial pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP) accumulation
Nature Communications - Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP, vitamin B6) is crucial for various metabolic processes. Here, the authors identified SLC25A38 as a key regulator of mitochondrial PLP...
www.nature.com
Here is a quick thread to promote my research! After years of dedicated research, I'm thrilled to share our article just published at Nature Communications :)
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#metabolism #CRISPRscreens #mitochondria
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#metabolism #CRISPRscreens #mitochondria
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
My fantastic department at CU Boulder is hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor! This is a broad search spanning nearly all areas of biology. Applications are due Nov 13, 2025. Feel free to reach out to me with questions, and please share widely.
jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDeta...
jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDeta...
October 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
My fantastic department at CU Boulder is hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor! This is a broad search spanning nearly all areas of biology. Applications are due Nov 13, 2025. Feel free to reach out to me with questions, and please share widely.
jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDeta...
jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDeta...
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
This life on planet earth isn’t the end. The consciousness survives. We are part of Mother Nature.
You get to choose the difference that you make.
#Pinks
You get to choose the difference that you make.
#Pinks
October 9, 2025 at 2:09 PM
This life on planet earth isn’t the end. The consciousness survives. We are part of Mother Nature.
You get to choose the difference that you make.
#Pinks
You get to choose the difference that you make.
#Pinks
Just a reminder that vaccines are safe and the best tool to protect you and your loved ones from sickness. More than 1.2 million pregnant women vaccinated against Covid-19 (including myself) and research shows clear benefits from mother and baby. #vaccinesAREsafe
COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy conferred benefits for mother and baby without increased risk, according to an umbrella review of meta-analyses comprising more than 1.2 million women.
www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcover...
www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcover...
Mom's COVID Shot Aided Baby, Too, Large Review Confirmed
Vaccination during pregnancy was safe for both mom and baby
www.medpagetoday.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Just a reminder that vaccines are safe and the best tool to protect you and your loved ones from sickness. More than 1.2 million pregnant women vaccinated against Covid-19 (including myself) and research shows clear benefits from mother and baby. #vaccinesAREsafe
My lab (1st photo), together with the Djaoud lab (2nd photo) took a little break from the lab to enjoy the stunning fall colors and crisp air at Gatineau Park. It was a refreshing gathering, full of connection and shared appreciation for each other, celebrating the accomplishments this past semester
October 2, 2025 at 12:53 PM
My lab (1st photo), together with the Djaoud lab (2nd photo) took a little break from the lab to enjoy the stunning fall colors and crisp air at Gatineau Park. It was a refreshing gathering, full of connection and shared appreciation for each other, celebrating the accomplishments this past semester
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
RIP Jane Goodall. Fellow difficult women everywhere salute you.
October 1, 2025 at 8:11 PM
RIP Jane Goodall. Fellow difficult women everywhere salute you.
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
The world has lost its most powerful advocate for nature and hope. Yet many remain who will continue her legacy and I know she will continue to inspire generations more.
October 1, 2025 at 6:01 PM
The world has lost its most powerful advocate for nature and hope. Yet many remain who will continue her legacy and I know she will continue to inspire generations more.
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
A friendly reminder from the Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus), who weighs 9 grams on a good day…
Never give up.
Never give up.
August 14, 2025 at 1:07 PM
A friendly reminder from the Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus), who weighs 9 grams on a good day…
Never give up.
Never give up.
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
I haven’t shared this before but it is worth remembering - the day I was offered my first position leading a lab/core (at Yale), with a substantial start up, I was rejected from a Portuguese institution my application got 60%.
Faculty positions are not dependent on you alone - keep trying.
Faculty positions are not dependent on you alone - keep trying.
a man pointing to a sign that says believe
ALT: a man pointing to a sign that says believe
media.tenor.com
June 14, 2025 at 4:29 PM
I haven’t shared this before but it is worth remembering - the day I was offered my first position leading a lab/core (at Yale), with a substantial start up, I was rejected from a Portuguese institution my application got 60%.
Faculty positions are not dependent on you alone - keep trying.
Faculty positions are not dependent on you alone - keep trying.
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
(Attenborough voice)
Behold the majestic splendor of the North American Rescue Mutt, master of all he surveys in this suburban yard
Behold the majestic splendor of the North American Rescue Mutt, master of all he surveys in this suburban yard
June 12, 2025 at 12:34 PM
(Attenborough voice)
Behold the majestic splendor of the North American Rescue Mutt, master of all he surveys in this suburban yard
Behold the majestic splendor of the North American Rescue Mutt, master of all he surveys in this suburban yard
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
“You can get a other job, but you cannot get another soul”.
"We are speaking on behalf of hundreds of NIH staff who are standing up together to say: WE DISSENT.
I am so scared about doing this but I am trying to be brave for my kids because it's only gonna get harder to speak up."
Thank you to Dr. Jenna Norton and NIH scientists for your courage!
I am so scared about doing this but I am trying to be brave for my kids because it's only gonna get harder to speak up."
Thank you to Dr. Jenna Norton and NIH scientists for your courage!
June 10, 2025 at 3:17 AM
“You can get a other job, but you cannot get another soul”.
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
Celebrating the first MSc graduation from my lab, Rahima Hasmani! It was a truly wonderful experience to mentor you through your science journey. I’m very proud of you and I’m excited to follow your next journey! Viva! #uoGrad25
June 8, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Celebrating the first MSc graduation from my lab, Rahima Hasmani! It was a truly wonderful experience to mentor you through your science journey. I’m very proud of you and I’m excited to follow your next journey! Viva! #uoGrad25
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
Samantha Anthony: Career breaks should be supported, not feared
'We owe it to ourselves and to our patients to take time out when we need to'
#PermittedToPause
blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2018/03/...
'We owe it to ourselves and to our patients to take time out when we need to'
#PermittedToPause
blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2018/03/...
Samantha Anthony: Career breaks should be supported, not feared - The BMJ
We owe it to ourselves and to our patients to take time out when we need to As I near the end of a one year career break, it has [...]More...
blogs.bmj.com
May 24, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Samantha Anthony: Career breaks should be supported, not feared
'We owe it to ourselves and to our patients to take time out when we need to'
#PermittedToPause
blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2018/03/...
'We owe it to ourselves and to our patients to take time out when we need to'
#PermittedToPause
blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2018/03/...
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
David Liu @harvard.edu beautifully articulates the criticality of basic science funding for developing revolutionary therapeutics like life-saving base editors 👏
youtu.be/8YhJM6zxYDw?...
youtu.be/8YhJM6zxYDw?...
Breakthrough Prize-Winning Biochemist on the Deadly Cost of Funding Cuts | Amanpour and Company
YouTube video by Amanpour and Company
youtu.be
May 24, 2025 at 1:13 AM
David Liu @harvard.edu beautifully articulates the criticality of basic science funding for developing revolutionary therapeutics like life-saving base editors 👏
youtu.be/8YhJM6zxYDw?...
youtu.be/8YhJM6zxYDw?...
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
Molecules in urine and blood can reveal how much of a person’s diet comes from ultra-processed foods
https://go.nature.com/4kybHea
https://go.nature.com/4kybHea
How much ultra-processed food do you eat? Blood and urine record it
Samples could provide an objective measure of diets and help to unravel their contribution to disease.
go.nature.com
May 21, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Molecules in urine and blood can reveal how much of a person’s diet comes from ultra-processed foods
https://go.nature.com/4kybHea
https://go.nature.com/4kybHea
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
“demethylation isn't universally required for formation of an early mammalian embryo, because the opossum embryo develops without being fully wiped of this epigenetic mark…wiping may have evolved specifically for the development of the placenta.”
#ReproSky #Placenta
www.crick.ac.uk/news-and-fea...
#ReproSky #Placenta
www.crick.ac.uk/news-and-fea...
Marsupial research reveals how mammalian embryos form
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have revealed insight into why embryos erase a key epigenetic mark during early development, suggesting this may have evolved to help form a placenta.
www.crick.ac.uk
May 19, 2025 at 2:04 AM
“demethylation isn't universally required for formation of an early mammalian embryo, because the opossum embryo develops without being fully wiped of this epigenetic mark…wiping may have evolved specifically for the development of the placenta.”
#ReproSky #Placenta
www.crick.ac.uk/news-and-fea...
#ReproSky #Placenta
www.crick.ac.uk/news-and-fea...
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
Are you based in the U.S. 🇺🇸 or Canada 🇨🇦 and thinking of doing research in Europe?
ERC grants offer up to €4.5 million to support groundbreaking, investigator-driven frontier research in all fields.
Watch the dedicated info session for researchers in your region👉 youtu.be/92QYink1Lik
#ChooseEurope
ERC grants offer up to €4.5 million to support groundbreaking, investigator-driven frontier research in all fields.
Watch the dedicated info session for researchers in your region👉 youtu.be/92QYink1Lik
#ChooseEurope
May 19, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Are you based in the U.S. 🇺🇸 or Canada 🇨🇦 and thinking of doing research in Europe?
ERC grants offer up to €4.5 million to support groundbreaking, investigator-driven frontier research in all fields.
Watch the dedicated info session for researchers in your region👉 youtu.be/92QYink1Lik
#ChooseEurope
ERC grants offer up to €4.5 million to support groundbreaking, investigator-driven frontier research in all fields.
Watch the dedicated info session for researchers in your region👉 youtu.be/92QYink1Lik
#ChooseEurope
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
This is what can be achieved today due to longstanding federal support of academic basic science alongside close partnership of universities, private industry and NIH intramural initiatives. An ecosystem worth not just saving but doubling down on!
innovativegenomics.org/news/first-p...
innovativegenomics.org/news/first-p...
First Patient Treated with Personalized CRISPR Therapy, Developed in Just Six Months
The first on-demand CRISPR therapy for an infant with a rare metabolic disease developed by the IGI and collaborators around the world.
innovativegenomics.org
May 15, 2025 at 5:40 PM
This is what can be achieved today due to longstanding federal support of academic basic science alongside close partnership of universities, private industry and NIH intramural initiatives. An ecosystem worth not just saving but doubling down on!
innovativegenomics.org/news/first-p...
innovativegenomics.org/news/first-p...
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
What a great day of zebrafish research! Thanks to everyone who shared their amazing work at the 3rd CZRC and congrats to our award winners!
May 8, 2025 at 10:30 AM
What a great day of zebrafish research! Thanks to everyone who shared their amazing work at the 3rd CZRC and congrats to our award winners!
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
The Department of Human Genetics at the University of Utah is sponsoring the Rising Stars in Genetics and Genomics symposium!
- We are seeking nominations bu June 1.
- September 18-19, 2025
- Please share with the star postdocs that you know.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
- We are seeking nominations bu June 1.
- September 18-19, 2025
- Please share with the star postdocs that you know.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
April 28, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The Department of Human Genetics at the University of Utah is sponsoring the Rising Stars in Genetics and Genomics symposium!
- We are seeking nominations bu June 1.
- September 18-19, 2025
- Please share with the star postdocs that you know.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
- We are seeking nominations bu June 1.
- September 18-19, 2025
- Please share with the star postdocs that you know.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
Ages 0-4 are the most important, emotionally & intellectually, in human development.
Yet, in the US, we have a very high rate of childhood poverty and a broken child care system.
Congratulations to New Mexico for leading the way forward for high quality, free child care. Other states must follow.
Yet, in the US, we have a very high rate of childhood poverty and a broken child care system.
Congratulations to New Mexico for leading the way forward for high quality, free child care. Other states must follow.
May 11, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Ages 0-4 are the most important, emotionally & intellectually, in human development.
Yet, in the US, we have a very high rate of childhood poverty and a broken child care system.
Congratulations to New Mexico for leading the way forward for high quality, free child care. Other states must follow.
Yet, in the US, we have a very high rate of childhood poverty and a broken child care system.
Congratulations to New Mexico for leading the way forward for high quality, free child care. Other states must follow.
Just had an incredible week at the Bellairs Research Institute, McGill, discussing CRISPR and functional genomics with brilliant folks. It was, without a doubt, the best scientific meeting I've ever attended! Super small and informal meeting, with plenty of time for discussions and work at the beach
May 2, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Just had an incredible week at the Bellairs Research Institute, McGill, discussing CRISPR and functional genomics with brilliant folks. It was, without a doubt, the best scientific meeting I've ever attended! Super small and informal meeting, with plenty of time for discussions and work at the beach
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
Today we learned the Diels-Alder Reaction
April 25, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Today we learned the Diels-Alder Reaction
Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦
Portuguese textile artist Vanessa Barragão's large-scale handwoven artworks using techniques of her ancestors such as latch hook, crochet and felt needle with recycled materials #womensart
April 26, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Portuguese textile artist Vanessa Barragão's large-scale handwoven artworks using techniques of her ancestors such as latch hook, crochet and felt needle with recycled materials #womensart