My lab philosophy is based on my experiences working in labs across different cities and countries and with people from diverse cultures. It is also based on the manuscript ‘Seven steps towards health and happiness in the lab’ by Fernando Maestre (2018). In particular, I'd like to highlight some principles he mentioned in the paper to foster a nurturing and collaborative environment:

• We are people before we are scientists, and our personal lives and health are always more important than our work.

• We are all in control of our own schedules. We should be judged by the results of our work rather than by the hours we spend in the lab or the office.

• My lab members work with me — not for me. We are all in the same boat and working in a mutually beneficial way. The better we do as a lab, the better for everyone in the lab. 

• Everyone is doing a job just as important as everyone else’s, and there are no ‘hard’ hierarchies in the lab. Of course, as a PI, I have the final word in many issues and I have to make decisions every day, but I always try to discuss important decisions with everyone involved.

• I never compare anyone with anyone else. Every person is different; my role as a mentor is to foster each person’s individual capabilities, and to help each of them achieve their goals and potential.