Providing Students a Research Playground: A PIs Perspective with Dr. Mayi Arcellana-Panlilio
by Dewuni Di Silva (iGEM Ambassador for North America) & Hassnain Q Bokhari
Dr. Mayi Arcellana-Panlilio has a rich history of involvement with iGEM, spanning from 2011-2013 and later from 2016 to 2022 as a PI for iGEM Calgary.
Dr. Arcellana-Panlilio shares her journey with iGEM, from her initial inspiration to her reflections on what makes iGEM stand out for students and mentors alike.
A Serendipitous Introduction to iGEM
Mayi first heard about iGEM from Emily Hicks, a former student and now the President of FREDsense, a successful startup that originated from the iGEM Competition.
“Emily asked if she could have some time at the beginning of class to speak about the iGEM program. Hearing about it from her, I thought it was extremely innovative and exciting.”
Soon after, she was invited to join as a supervisor for iGEM Calgary.
Although iGEM demands a substantial time investment, Mayi has found the experience exceptionally rewarding
“You invest a lot of time, but you get so much out of it as well. Over the years, I have gained so much satisfaction and joy from observing students create research projects.”
Witnessing students brainstorm, develop ideas, and present their projects has been a source of ongoing inspiration for her.
The Far-Reaching Impact of iGEM on Students
Over the years, Mayi has seen her students go on to achieve remarkable things, both within and outside of science. In fact, her early mentorship has played a role in the creation of FREDsense, a start-up that grew out of the ideas of her 2011 and 2012 iGEM teams. “It was incredible seeing them start from their original idea in 2011 to how far they have come with their company today.”
Beyond entrepreneurship, her students have now become doctors, lawyers, and pursued PhDs. They are becoming professionals in their community, and it's because the iGEM gave them the experiences needed to go on and succeed in their careers. For her, the real value of iGEM lies in how it prepares students for diverse professional paths, equipping them with the skills and confidence to excel.
What Sets iGEM Apart from Other Lab Experiences
Unlike traditional lab settings, where students often work within the confines of a specific research field, iGEM provides an open-ended environment where students are encouraged to pursue their own ideas. She emphasizes that as a PI, she has never dictated the direction of her students’ projects.
“In other labs, you may have the freedom to choose the topic you want to work on, but it usually has to be within the particular field of the PI’s lab.”
In iGEM, students have the freedom to work on different projects, all vastly different from each other. This approach has allowed her teams to explore subjects, from canola oil to space applications and electronics.
For Mayi, iGEM mirrors the complexities of real-world science, where innovation often requires interdisciplinary collaboration and an understanding of societal needs.
“iGEM is an authentic representation of how science happens in the real world.”
By encouraging students to consider aspects such as economics, business, and social impact, iGEM goes beyond lab work to foster a comprehensive approach to problem-solving.
The Joy of Watching Students Become Scientists
One of the most fulfilling aspects of being an iGEM PI, she says, is “having a front seat to students becoming scientists.”
Witnessing students gain confidence and maturity through iGEM is a deeply gratifying experience for her. Over the course of each competition season, she sees students evolve from uncertain beginners to empowered young scientists, ready to take on new challenges. “Seeing how they grow from the program is extremely gratifying.” she adds, highlighting the personal and professional development that iGEM fosters in its participants.
Advice for Aspiring iGEM Students and PIs
For students you have to be committed. iGEM is not something you can get into half-heartedly. Being involved in iGEM is not for your own glory, it is a team effort! It’s important to recognize that iGEM is larger than your individual success, but about working together with other students to achieve a common goal.
It is also important to not be discouraged by roadblocks and problems, but to persevere and keep at it!
For PIs, it is learning to step back. Our role is not to tell students what to do or to think or to research on, but to provide students the space to do these things. When students are leading and initiating, that is when the student will learn best. On the other hand, while you are giving the students the reins, you also need to be there for them, for questions, for advice.
As a PI it is important to create that safe space and environment for the students to think and to make mistakes because that is all part of developing as a scientist.
Dr. Mayi Arcellana-Panlilio’s dedication has left a lasting impact on the team and on each student she has guided. Through her mentorship, Dr. Arcellana-Panlilio exemplifies the powerful role a PI can play in shaping the future of young scientists and innovators.
Are you an iGEMer? Do you want to reconnect with iGEM and synthetic biology community? Check out our iGEM Community Program or send us an email at community@igem.org
