Breaking Biological Barriers

In my talk I will discuss recent work from my lab about transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, showing how, at least in nematodes, experiences can be transmitted across generations through small RNAs, altering behavior and physiology in descendants. I will connect these findings to broader questions about how biological information persists, discussing ancient DNA that records vanished worlds, and brain parasites that manipulate their hosts, and also molecular mechanisms that delay forgetting. Along the way, I will discuss “Night Science Moments”, sharing how some of these ideas first emerged, those unplanned moments when curiosity, coincidence, and imagination reshaped the path of our research. I will also discuss my attempts to influence science communication and academia in general.