"If we can get high productivity in the scientific work just by working harder, nobody requires a hero in a laboratory. To enhance our scientific productivity and the quality of scientist life, we have to build a good relationship between science and our personal life. In addition, a comfortable human relationship is a key to success, as everyone knows, because individuals are anytime immature, at least, in some aspects and under development. Science is always complemented and developed further by neighbors. I believe that scientists are also the same.

Martina is not only very clever as a scientist, but also she can organize and provide us with many communication activities such as parties, Secret-Santa, joining events like sightseeing, escape room, BBQ. She brings deep understanding among us, thus accompanying numerous talking opportunities to facilitate the finding and solving of our scientific and personal issues. I have never met such a great human resource influencing the overall activation and smiling in the laboratory. Hence, I really wish that our hero will be known to more people through this award."

Keisuke Takeda, Scorrano Lab, Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Italy

"Martina is that reliable scientist you can always turn to for help."

Iñigo Terrén, Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Spain

"She is one of the most passionate scientists in our laboratory. She has deep knowledge of all technics in our laboratory and projects in our laboratory, thus she teaches and helps new lab members with experiments and develops a lot of collaboration.

Her great point is not only her scientific point of view, but also she is one the most thoughtful people in our laboratory. Our laboratory has very international colleagues from all over the world, and especially foreign members like me, we suffer a lot of problems outside the laboratory.

Once I could not visit my home doctor, and I even had a fever for more than 2 weeks because they hesitated to check me because I am foreign.  She called many times to the hospital to fight for me against their attitude. Finally, I could visit my home doctor.

She made a funny and beautiful movie for our lab members who were leaving, and she always provides brilliant ideas to select memorial gifts for each person, which means she really sees each character. She has organized many laboratory events such as 'Secret Santa' and so on. Because, of this, we can enjoy and do active communication even when we have many new lab mates.

She makes us laugh a lot with her interesting stories and when she talks about Italian culture, foods, history, etc. we are enthusiastic to learn about her culture. 

She has engaged for so many years with laboratory tasks and offer continuous help for many lab members, and provides a great impact to our laboratory. Thus, I strongly suggest she wins this competition."

Ak Omori, Scorrano Laboratory/Biology, Padova Univ/VIMM, Italy

"She contributes to lab members a lot. She organizes the birthday celebration of our PI."

Masafumi Noguchi, Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Italy

"Being the most experienced lab member, Martina is competent in the majority of experimental techniques used in the lab and is always happy to train new lab members on how to carry out techniques in a correct and efficient manner. When I arrived in the lab, I had basically zero experience working in a wet lab setting. Martina has always been considerate towards me and taught me techniques in a transparent and reassuring way."

Andre Djalalvandi, University of Padova, Italy

"Martina is a talented researcher with many years of experience with bench work. Despite this, she has never hesitated to help me with willingness and humility. I think she embodies the spirit of the researcher devoted to their work and therefore deserves this award."

Elena Marchesan, Department of Biology, University of Padova, Italia

Nomination Category: Lab Leader

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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.