Domenica Karavitaki

My work is focused on understanding the cellular mechanisms of sound propagation in the inner ear. Motivated by how little we know and by how much we learn through rigorous experimentation, I trust that our findings will prove essential for curing human deafness.

In the (really) early years to enter into basic science one had to study Euclid's book of elements, i.e. geometry. According to Stobaeus, "someone who had begun to read geometry with Euclid, when he had learnt the first theorem, asked Euclid, "But what shall I get by learning these things?" Euclid called his slave and said Give him threepence, since he must make gain out of what he learns."* I reminisce about this story when asked of my incentive to do basic science and I recall those "Eureka!" moments at the bench when I felt I found another piece of the puzzle. Truly amazing moments, my "threepence"! The motivation to pursue knowledge should stem from the fundamental human need to understand. After all, if we don't know how something works how can we fix it? Working at HMS I get a glimpse of the future, riding on the wave of knowledge leading to the alleviation of human suffering.

Certainly pursuing basic science is challenging; it requires an immense time commitment and persistence often with hundreds of failures for very meaningful result, and it can thus be an exasperating and expensive endeavor. To move forward we have to support both the research and the scientists performing it. Nurturing the human aspect of scientific discovery from conception, to trial, to failure, to perseverance, to completion, requires a collegial environment of inspiration, constant encouragement and mentorship. I have had a great postdoctoral experience working in such an environment at HMS in the lab of Dr. David P. Corey. I am therefore proud to have contributed in improving other's postdoctoral experience by being a founding member of the Harvard Medical School/Harvard
School of Dental Medicine Postdoctoral Association (PDA), a volunteer organization dedicated to the support and mentoring of postdoctoral fellows. I thank Dr. Judith Glaven, Associate Dean of Basic and Interdisciplinary Research for her help, mentorship and continuing support of the PDA, putting HMS at the forefront of the postdoctoral experience as a driving force for basic science.

*Euclid. The Thirteen Books of The Elements. Vol. 1 (Books / and Il)*, Second Edition Unabridged, Dover Publications, Inc. New York, pg. 3.