Flipping the Molecular Light Switch: Dr. Phillip Kyriakakis and the world of Optogenetics

Prepare for an episode of the Fancy Labcoat Guild that's less 'blinding flash of light' 🔦 and more 'steady, comforting glow' 💡. We've got an AMA on our Discord with the humble luminary - Dr. Phillip Kyriakakis. He's the kind of guy who tinkers with molecular light switches in optogenetics, a field most of us can't even spell correctly on the first try. 🧠🔬 His career trajectory has taken him from UMass Boston 🏫 to UC San Diego, and now to Stanford as a Senior Research Scientist. He's spent all this time flipping the switch on the field of optogenetics, and not in a way that requires protective eyewear. 🕶️ Dr. Kyriakakis isn't just about the science, though. He's a genuine, curious soul with a range of expertise that includes dabbling in electrical engineering in his garage! Plus, he's got this knack for making people smile, probably a side effect of spending so much time with biological lights. 😊 In this episode, we delve into the nitty-gritty of optogenetics, the highs an...