"Franco is MY favorite lab hero for several reasons: he’s an amazing lab mate, he explains every single term that you don’t know and you ask for (biology and biophysics are his favorite topics), he is very bright and smart when you ask just for a concept and he ends up explaining a whole chapter of the book, he helps you with the lab work no matter if it’s dark outside, he knows how to take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to him as a scholarship contest (which he has always won) and at the same time he possesses the ability to listen and learn from others.

But above all, he is an excellent person who smiles every single day and night, he is also brave and he knows when to stop and continue on his own, and at last but not least he is an excellent researcher who has demonstrated his ability to communicate science.

In summary, Franco is more than a lab mate, he is a lab hero, a beautiful partner and gorgeous friend. And despite the fact we are no longer in the same country, he still continues to help me and offer his friendship."

Carolina Sánchez-López, (formerly) Structural and Cellular Biology Lab, (formerly) Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology of Rosario (IBR-CONICET) National University of Rosario, Argentina

"Throughout the years he has been working at the lab, he has shown the most initiative to learn I have seen in a single person. Despite the multiple difficulties he has faced during his first years of his PhD, he has never stopped searching for answers to his many questions. He's also always proven to be reliable when needed, always ready to lend a helping hand, always ready to donate his time to teach you what he knows."

Tomás Steeman, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Developmental Biology, Instituto de Biología Molecular de Rosario, Argentina

"I met Franco when he was a PhD student and I was doing a collaboration with his lab. He is simply the best colleague ever. He always begins the day with a smile on his face, even if he is struggling with personal issues. He is enthusiastic about every research topic there is and his willingness to help everybody who asks is limitless. Franco is always there to explain how to use equipment (I have called him afterhours or even on a Sunday because I was alone and struggling on how to proceed with new protocols). He is empathetic and generous with his lab mates, always sharing his knowledge and letting you know if there are awards you can apply to (even if he’s also running for the same prize). He is humble enough to admit if he doesn’t have the answer but will for sure help you find one, no matter if you’re an undergrad or a PI. He finds the patience to explain as many times as needed and if you make a mistake, he never makes you feel bad about it, but rather take the opportunity to teach or even joke around. He’s a very motivated scientist with a strong work ethics, but on top of that he’s great colleague and will someday make a great leader!"

Cintia Stival, Cell Signal Transduction Networks Laboratory, Instituto de Biologia Molecular y Celular de Rosario, Argentina

Nomination Category: Lab Scholar

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Who's your Lab Hero?

This is your chance to give back to the scientists who make – or who have made – a positive difference to your life, career, and workplace. That might be putting in extra effort in the lab, supporting their colleagues in difficult times, producing incredible results through their work, or making the lab a better place for everyone...

NOMINATE YOUR LAB HERO NOW!

Nominations close 8th December 2021. T&Cs apply.