Postdoc Appreciation Week: Giovana Carrasco Gonzalez

In our second blog for Postdoc Appreciation Week 2025, we speak to Giovana Carrasco Gonzalez about working as a postdoc at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC).

What was your route to becoming a postdoc?

I did lab rotations during my undergraduate degree and really enjoyed doing cancer research so I decided to pursue this subject and did an MSc and PhD. My goal has always been to stay in academia and after my PhD, I decided to do a postdoc to have more preparation to become independent and experience this in a different lab and environment.

What is PODS and what role do you play?

PODS is the PostDoctoral Society at IGC. I’ve been involved in academic societies in the past so I decided to become a member of PODS in 2022. I am a shy person and find it difficult to get to meet people but with the society I felt that there are opportunities to interact with more postdocs and even seek collaborations, so it’s helped me both with the social aspect and academically with the learning opportunities offered.

How long have you been at IGC?

I have been a research fellow at IGC for nearly five years.

What kind of research do you do and why did you choose this area?

I do cancer research and have been involved in different aspects such as treatment and progression and am currently aiming to work on cancer initiation. On a personal and professional level, I find this field of research extremely relevant for human health and although it is challenging, I would like to be able to contribute to a better understanding of the disease to support prevention.

What are your career aspirations?

I want to become an independent researcher and start my own group in the next couple of years. Doing a postdoc has provided me with skills and more confidence to do so.

What are the highlights of your career to date?

I have been involved in various projects in universities from different countries with different working styles. This has allowed me to be part of several publications and generate strong collaborations. Also, always trying to learn something new and challenging has given me resilience. Importantly, it might feel challenging and frustrating to feel that having a fixed time to work on a project has some uncertainty but it also opens up opportunities to work in different environments with different people. I believe that if you are passionate with what you do and lucky enough to find opportunities, it’s rewarding and fulfilling.