Scientific progress isn鈥檛 always a straight line. Discovery demands flexibility鈥攁 willingness to go off the beaten path. Oftentimes, that means leaving one鈥檚 comfort zone. And that鈥檚 exactly what 黑料吃瓜资源 (CSHL) Associate Professor Saket Navlakha has in mind.
Navlakha has received a . Launched in 2022, the fellowship supports scientists working to expand their research into new disciplines. Through the year-long program, Navlakha will team up with mentor and CSHL Assistant Professor Hannah Meyer to explore how the adaptive immune system, like the brain, solves the kinds of complex problems that are also common in machine learning.
鈥淭his is a classic CSHL story鈥攖wo people in complementary areas of research collaborating on problems that we would not necessarily be able to tackle on our own,鈥� Navlakha says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very natural collaboration borne out of random conversations. We鈥檙e going to have fun.鈥�
As an immunologist, Meyer is excited about the work鈥檚 potential applications in science and medicine. 鈥淚n computational research, it can be difficult to find the questions that are most impactful and relevant,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 look forward to offering that biological insight. And in Saket, I have a 鈥榤entee鈥� with very high expertise whom I can learn from as well.鈥�
Navlakha is one of eight scientists awarded the fellowship in 2024. Pivot fellows receive one year鈥檚 salary and $10,000 toward research, travel, and professional development. Mentors receive an additional $50,000 to support their fellow鈥檚 training.
Written by: Nick Wurm, Communications Specialist | [email protected] | 516-367-5940