Featured Grantee

Quick Facts

  • Name: Riccardo Papa
  • Comes from: Italy
  • Lives in: San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • In three words: respect nature and diversity
  • Leisure time activities: Sailing, surfing, paddle boarding, painting
  • Likes: good food, a good cup of coffee, good music
  • Unsuspected talent: painting, sailing
  • Currently reading: a lot of science papers!

In a nutshell

  • My research matters because… it is trying to answer fundamental question common to every living organism
  • One of the inspirations for my research has been… it may sound very strange but the theory of relativity of Albert Einstein
  • The best thing about my job is… dynamic and constantly changing and evolving with the input of young generations
  • My career highlight so far has been… identifying the molecules that control the coloration of butterfly wings and the fact that evolution in the manifestation of appearance of identical phenotypes (wing coloration) in distinct butterflies is not predictable
  • My advice to aspiring researchers is… passion, hard work, dedication, and balance.

Interview:

I have been always attracted by the beauty of nature. Natural diversity, generally described as biodiversity, is something that we need to study and to preserve. It is a resource that we often undervalue. I initially studied biology because I have always had a natural attraction and respect for nature and every form of life expression. I became a researcher as a result of this passion.

At the moment we are working on several projects that range from the molecular genetic mechanisms including epigenetics driving butterflies wing color pattern diversity to butterflies communication using chemical sensing. We are not only studying butterflies but also investigating aspects of the current coronavirus pandemic by understanding how the sequence of the virus is changing over time and the possible presence of mutations in the human DNA that could make individuals more susceptible to develop more severe symptoms.

The ability to sequence DNA and RNA and generate entire genomes of any given organism in few hours have revolutionized the way to do science. Technology is playing a crucial aspect in providing new tools to answer questions with greater precision. One of the most interesting projects that we are currently working on is a single cell gene expression on developing wings and butterfly’s brains. This experiment will provide information on the characteristics and diversity of cells in these two tissues, cell to cell communication and the molecular information that determines the fate of a cell that will express a particular color in an adult butterfly’s wing. This level of precision which allows us to obtain a simultaneous genomic fingerprint of thousands of cells, is mind blowing.  Technology is allowing scientists to answer questions that were unimaginable just few years ago.

Another incredible improvement is the ability to genetically modify butterflies to answer precise scientific questions. We are now able manipulate the expression and function of particular genes to clearly understand their role during the development of a particular tissue such as the colors on a butterfly’s wing.

The aspects I appreciate and enjoy the most of my job is the novelty and diversity of every day. Science is dynamic and always changing, with experiments and questions that are never the same. The interaction with the younger generation of students is another aspect that is unique to my work. All of these characteristics are allowing me to keep my mind and soul forever young!

With my research I hope to contribute to the general understanding of what defines life on earth and characterizing principal and fundamental mechanisms that regulate development and diversity. These types of questions are almost philosophical and are deeply related to understanding who we are. Our DNA and the DNA of any other animal is comparable to an engineered program. Such program contains all the information to generate life and build an organism with an incredible level of complexity that ranges from the brain, heart, lungs just as an example. Moreover, all the connections to allow our body to function, learn, think and make informed decisions needs to be wired as well. This is incredible and the reality is that we know very little about it.

I am in love with the ocean. I like to do any water sport like sailing, surfing, and paddle boarding. I also like to paint. In summary I enjoy being outdoors or to express my creativity with an artistic tool such drawing or painting. I do not like to watch TV or play videogames!