SciLifeLab Voices: Caroline Gallant and Isolde Palombo of Alpha Cell
Alpha Cell is a new strategic research program at SciLifeLab dedicated to uncovering the molecular structure and function of single human cells in time and space — and to developing AI-based models that can predict how cells behave. This time in our SciLifeLab Voices series, we spoke with Caroline Gallant, Scientific Program Manager for Alpha Cell, and Isolde Palombo, Project Coordinator of the program.
Hi Caroline and Isolde! Could you tell us a bit about yourselves and the project you’re working with?
Caroline
I am a Canadian scientist export who came to Sweden 16 years ago. Since arriving, I worked in both academic and industry R&D with a focus on functional genomics and single cell and spatial biology. In my current position, I will manage the scientific aspects of SciLifeLab’s new flagship program, Alpha Cell.
Isolde
I have been working as a project coordinator at SciLifeLab for 3 years, primarily with events and visits. I am really excited to start coordinating the Alpha Cell program, where I can contribute more with my scientific knowledge.
Could you tell us how, in your view, Alpha Cell will impact the world of research?
Caroline
Alpha Cell will contribute to global efforts combining data, biology and AI to build Virtual Cell models, or in other words, predictive models of human cell function in health and disease.
Isolde
It would revolutionize the way we work with translational research if we could predict cell structure and function in a virtual model.
What do you look most forward to in this project?
Caroline
Working together with the SciLifeLab and international scientific community to solve challenging problems.
Isolde
Working together with people that are experts in their own specific area and combine their knowledge into something remarkable.
What’s the best part about being at SciLifeLab?
Caroline
Being part of a community that share their extensive knowledge and expertise.
Isolde
The team spirit. It is really something different from what I have experienced previously.
It’s almost Christmas! Do you have any unique Christmas traditions? And what is your strategy for surviving the Swedish winter?
Caroline
Since moving to Sweden, we mainly follow the Swedish traditions but since celebrating Christmas in Canada last year and receiving stockings full of gifts, my kids are requesting something similar this year.
I love winter, but the Swedish darkness is (still) hard. One way I survive it is to be active outside as much as possible.
Isolde
Since a few years back, we head off early in the morning on Christmas Eve for some great turns in the slopes of Åre. We start when the lifts open and by lunch, we head back to our cabin and have Christmas lunch and open gifts.
Be outside and enjoy winter, preferably by skiing. When I am in Stockholm, I pretend it is summer by doing long sauna sessions with a sun lamp.
