Becoming an Independent Researcher

Have you ever wondered how a single decision can set your entire career in motion? For Camila Quinonez, the journey into the fascinating world of synthetic biology all began with one pivotal choice during her undergraduate days at the University of Westminster. You see, her whole synthetic biology adventure can be traced back to the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition, better known as iGEM.

During her sophomore year, she did a summer internship focused on bacteriophages. Little did she know, this was just the tip of the iceberg of her scientific journey. At that very moment, her best friend was embarking fon an iGEM adventure of her own and invited Camila too to participate in the iGEM Competition. But at the time Camila was fully engrossed in her internship. The University of Westminster team went on to clinch a gold medal that year. Inspired by this remarkable accomplishment, Camila's friend extended an invitation again for the next year's competition. This time, they wouldn't be just participants; they would lead the team themselves.

Together with their team under the guidance of their PI Dr. Anatoliy Markiv, they set out to biosynthesize aminolevulinic acid using the versatile E. coli stood. The journey was a rollercoaster for Camila where she had to look over lab work, navigate the intricacies of human practices and organize the 2016 iGEM UK meetups. The iGEM experience granted her invaluable freedom and taught her to think on her feet, qualities she would carry with her throughout her academic journey. These skills became especially useful during her Masters and PhD studies.

But iGEM was just the beginning for Camila. Buoyed by her experiences, she pursued her Masters in Systems and Synthetic Biology at Imperial College in London. She realized that without her iGEM journey, her career might never have taken this remarkable turn. Her curiosity deepened, and she delved into the world of computational tools, exploring the vast possibilities that lay therein.

During her PhD, she advised the 2018 Westminster team, where Camila shared her experiences and knowledge with the new generation of students, passing on the valuable lessons she had learned. Her iGEM journey also benefited her when she served as a judge in 2020, enabling her to provide constructive feedback to teams while appreciating the dedication they poured into their projects. She had come full circle, now guiding a new generation of aspiring synthetic biologists on their own iGEM journey. Having worked for climate biotech startups after her PhD, Camila became the Regional Head of EMEA for the iGEM Startups program in her spare time. She developed a passion for assessing scientific innovation by assisting young scientists in developing a commercialisation plan for pre-seed investment.

Microbial Marvels: Camila's Passion for Tiny Organisms

Camila's primary motivation is to address the pressing challenges our world faces today. She is deeply concerned about the negative impact of human actions, particularly in the context of climate change and health. Her goal is to contribute to collective efforts to find better solutions, and she firmly believes that synthetic biology holds significant potential in this regard.

She has a deep love and appreciation for microorganisms. She sees them as intricate and captivating entities, offering the potential for both curing diseases caused by pathogens and engineering them to extract valuable compounds for various industries. Camila recognizes the longstanding symbiotic relationship between humans and microorganisms, acknowledging their role in our health as well as providing us with delicious food and beverages.

Camila also acknowledges the growing detachment from nature, despite its vital importance for both humanity and the planet. Her dedication since her PhD has been centered on finding sustainable solutions that allow us to maintain our way of life without harming the environment. Her ultimate goal is to strike a balance between human progress and the preservation of nature, ensuring that our planet thrives alongside our society.

Protecting What’s Left: Bioconservation Efforts

We need to think about the future and develop solutions to our problems, but we shouldn’t forget to protect whatever we have left, said Camila. This mindset has led her to co-found a women-led non-profit association in Brazil to conserve the Atlantic Forest, where Camila is the vice director. This rainforest, little known to the world, is likely to be as biodiverse as the Amazon despite its original size being ¼ of the Amazon’s. As nearly 90% of the Atlantic Forest is gone due to deforestation, the Atlantic Forest Association is developing a range of initiatives such as AI-powered conservation efforts tailored to each animal, hosting a series of environmental programs for adults and kids, and engaging the local community as allies against illegal logging and hunting.

Why the Atlantic Forest you might be thinking. It is located on the east coast of Brazil, all around the major cities such as São Paulo, where Camila was born and raised. Her upbringing involved exploring nature and chasing waterfalls. Now with a robust scientific career, Camila is eager to establish her research institute to map the forest’s biodiversity, from soil microorganisms to exotic fruits, medicinal plants and trees. As Camila pointed out,

“The more knowledge and understanding we have about a place, the more we can protect it’’.

With 20 camera traps, the Atlantic Forest Association has recorded 2,000 images of wild animals, varying from 9 top taxonomy classes including tapir, puma, anteater, coati, Teiú lizard and so many more. They plan to expand the number of camera traps and catalog the images into a detailed database that will serve as the base for analytics using AI models.

The Association is currently building the required infrastructure inspired by Guaraní indigenous huts and marrying them with permaculture and bio-architecture concepts, to host volunteers, researchers, and nature lovers!

Cracking the Code: Challenges in Scaling Microorganism Engineering

The economics of scale is a tricky part, a puzzle when it comes to engineering microorganisms for industrial production. It's a challenge that has sparked a flurry of innovation, where brains and capital unite in a quest to decipher the engineering aspect of manufacturing and scale-up in synthetic biology. When the code is cracked, we will unlock the potential to craft more molecules and bio-materials than ever before

During her time pursuing her Masters, the landscape of synthetic biology was vastly different. PhD programs were predominantly focused on foundational aspects, as there was a pressing need to develop the tools, ideas, and a deeper understanding of biology's intricate engineering. Back then, she struggled to find application-centric PhD programs or synbio companies that aligned with her vision. But fast-forward five years, and the ecosystem has shifted dramatically. In London, where she was based, a wave of synthetic biology startups has emerged, each with its own unique angle on the possibilities of this groundbreaking field. Most importantly, the prospect of making a tangible impact is inspiring a new generation of students to embark on application-centric master's and PhD programs in synthetic biology.

But in this journey towards a bio-engineered industrial revolution, there's another facet that cannot be overlooked—the preservation of biodiversity. Camila emphasizes the need for a broader perspective, one that extends beyond just the species with immediate industrial applications. As we tinker with the building blocks of life, it's imperative that we tread carefully to ensure we don't disrupt the delicate balance of nature.

Balancing Specialists and Generalists: Advancing Science Together

Camila identifies herself as a generalist, with expertise in synthetic biology and biochemistry. Her diverse project portfolio spans areas like the environment, healthcare, animal-free proteins, plastic degrading enzymes, and computational modeling. While academia often encourages specialization, Camila values the versatility of her skill set and its applicability across various domains. In her view, having both specialists and generalists is essential for advancing science and technology.

Camila, reflecting on her journey from academia to industry, found her passion for seeing tangible results and societal impact. During her industry stint, she focused on synthesizing milk proteins for cow-less cheese production, a project with real-world potential. This shift allowed her to witness the practical applications of biology and the impact it can have on society, a perspective she missed during her PhD.

Working in startups became her preference, offering a dynamic, deadline-driven environment where her voice mattered, and her contributions were part of a larger mission. It encouraged her to consider multiple perspectives, from commercialization to scaling up and interacting with investors. Camila thrived in the collaborative startup setting, which contrasted with the more solitary nature of her PhD.

Advice for young students and scientists

For young students, Camila's message is clear: savor the opportunities that come your way. Embrace the learning experience, from mastering the intricacies of synthetic biology to honing your lab skills. Participating in competitions such as iGEM will help you discover not only whether you have the potential to become an outstanding scientist but also where your true passion lies. You'll soon realize that being an amazing scientist doesn't always require you to remain confined to the laboratory. Camila's own journey and her interactions with fellow iGEM participants underscore the profound connections and camaraderie that this community offers.

Moreover, Camila highlights the forthcoming wave of opportunities in synthetic biology, with a growing focus on bio-manufacturing. This exciting phase is all about scaling, building, and deploying bio-products that have the potential to transform entire industries. To thrive in this dynamic landscape, Camila advises you to equip yourself with the skills demanded by the market and sharpen your communication abilities. Additionally, Camila urges you to keep a watchful eye on the innovative strides made by startups, as they often pioneer groundbreaking solutions that inspire and shape the future of synthetic biology.

Book Recommendations By Camila

Interest in the intersection of science and indigenous knowledge? Read Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Love animals, and want to understand their biology and how they perceive their environment? I recommend ‘Immense World’ by Ed Yong (I contain multitudes is also great!).
If you are a fungi enthusiast, I would say Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake.
More of a fiction fan with sprinkles of science? Then Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut might be the one. If science fiction is more of your liking, don’t miss out on Exhalation by Ted Chiang.
Hard-core science non-fiction? Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, or my all-time favorite, Dominant Character by Samanth Subramanian.
Want to get real and know more about one of the biggest corporate frauds in history? Bad Blood by John Carreyrou.