@gonzprat.bsky.social
1. Science doesn’t typically require urgent, minute-to-minute decision-making like in commercial or financial trading. Only on rare occasions, perhaps when facing a specific deadline, and usually involving collaborators in time zones with more than a six-hour difference—does urgency become a factor
@gonzprat.bsky.social How do you effectively collaborate with scientists in other timezones? #BioAMA2025
March 28, 2025 at 3:57 PM
1. Science doesn’t typically require urgent, minute-to-minute decision-making like in commercial or financial trading. Only on rare occasions, perhaps when facing a specific deadline, and usually involving collaborators in time zones with more than a six-hour difference—does urgency become a factor
1. I believe it largely depends on the leadership style, abilities, and preferences of the lab head—assuming unlimited funding, which is rarely the case. For example, it varies based on how closely the lab head wants to stay involved in each project.
@gonzprat.bsky.social What is your opinion on managing small labs vs. managing a large lab in terms on PhD and postdoc headcounts? #BioAMA2025
March 28, 2025 at 3:53 PM
1. I believe it largely depends on the leadership style, abilities, and preferences of the lab head—assuming unlimited funding, which is rarely the case. For example, it varies based on how closely the lab head wants to stay involved in each project.
1. Love what you do, and you’ll never have to go to work. Seriously, find what you’re good at, and from there, discover what you enjoy most. Liking something isn’t enough on its own, you also need to make sure you have the skills, or that you're in a position to develop them.
@gonzprat.bsky.social What advice would you give to the next generation of PhD students? #BioAMA2025
March 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
1. Love what you do, and you’ll never have to go to work. Seriously, find what you’re good at, and from there, discover what you enjoy most. Liking something isn’t enough on its own, you also need to make sure you have the skills, or that you're in a position to develop them.
1. In my view, RNA experimental biophysics has lagged behind the progress made in protein research, largely because RNA was, until relatively recently, regarded primarily as a carrier of genetic information. As a result,
@gonzprat.bsky.social Where do you see the field of RNA biophysics moving in light of the availability of AI prediction capabilities? #BioAMA2025
March 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM
1. In my view, RNA experimental biophysics has lagged behind the progress made in protein research, largely because RNA was, until relatively recently, regarded primarily as a carrier of genetic information. As a result,
1. Throughout my career, I have maintained a clear boundary between work and personal life. I have never read work emails outside of weekday working hours, and never at home—except in truly exceptional cases, perhaps once or twice a year.
@gonzprat.bsky.social Academic scientists are often challenged in finding a good work/life balance. Do you have any advice on this topic? #BioAMA2025
March 28, 2025 at 3:41 PM
1. Throughout my career, I have maintained a clear boundary between work and personal life. I have never read work emails outside of weekday working hours, and never at home—except in truly exceptional cases, perhaps once or twice a year.
1. Argentina’s investment in research and development fluctuates between 0.3% and 0.5% of its GDP—significantly lower than that of economically developed countries. This challenge is compounded by the higher cost of materials
@gonzprat.bsky.social It seems there are only a few Latin American scientists who are prominent in biochemistry on the world stage, what in your mind could be done to increase their number and/or visibility? #BioAMA2025
March 28, 2025 at 3:37 PM
1. Argentina’s investment in research and development fluctuates between 0.3% and 0.5% of its GDP—significantly lower than that of economically developed countries. This challenge is compounded by the higher cost of materials
I honestly cannot think of anything I would have done differently. Boring, but true.
@gonzprat.bsky.social If you could go back ~25 yrs, to the time you started your independent lab. in Argentina, what would you do differently? #BioAMA2025
March 28, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I honestly cannot think of anything I would have done differently. Boring, but true.
1. I can't point to a single big accomplishment—much like many musicians or filmmakers, I find it difficult to choose just one defining piece of work. Perhaps it would be my research on viruses as minimal biological entities that offer a chemical perspective on life.
@gonzprat.bsky.social What do you consider your biggest scientific accomplishment thus far? #BioAMA2025
March 28, 2025 at 3:28 PM
1. I can't point to a single big accomplishment—much like many musicians or filmmakers, I find it difficult to choose just one defining piece of work. Perhaps it would be my research on viruses as minimal biological entities that offer a chemical perspective on life.
1. At the end of my clinical biochemistry degree, I realized that most of my classmates were focused on clinical laboratory practice, while I was drawn to the more fundamental courses, such as physical biochemistry.
@gonzprat.bsky.social At what point in your life did you know you wanted to be a scientist and why?
March 28, 2025 at 3:22 PM
1. At the end of my clinical biochemistry degree, I realized that most of my classmates were focused on clinical laboratory practice, while I was drawn to the more fundamental courses, such as physical biochemistry.
1. My initial motivation to understand how the human body works led me to consider pursuing a medical degree. However, I soon realized that I was not interested in treating patients. I then began a degree in clinical biochemistry, cont.
@gonzprat.bsky.social What motivated you to pursue an academic career?
March 28, 2025 at 3:09 PM
1. My initial motivation to understand how the human body works led me to consider pursuing a medical degree. However, I soon realized that I was not interested in treating patients. I then began a degree in clinical biochemistry, cont.
I can't point to a single big accomplishment—much like many musicians or filmmakers, I find it difficult to choose just one defining piece of work. Perhaps it would be my research on viruses as minimal biological entities that offer a chemical perspective on life.
We're hosting an Ask Me Anything about Biophysics on Bluesky today with BPS Ambassador Alumnus Gonzalo de Prat Gay! Tweet your questions with #BiophysicsAMA and tune in at 11am USA Eastern time.
March 28, 2025 at 2:48 PM
I can't point to a single big accomplishment—much like many musicians or filmmakers, I find it difficult to choose just one defining piece of work. Perhaps it would be my research on viruses as minimal biological entities that offer a chemical perspective on life.