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Our brains are like computers that get information from our senses (hearing, sight, touch, etc.), process that information like a computer program, and generates an input (for example a memory in your head!).

Unlike computers our brains are made of the union of billions of independent cell units called neurons. In order to process the information that gets to the brain, neurons communicate with each other using small chemicals.

Since the our human brain is so large it is currently impossible to look how neurons connect inside it in a very precise manner. In order to get around that problem scientist use model organisms, that have similarities to the human brain but are smaller and easier to work with.

I work with one of those model organisms, a small worm called Caenorhabditis elegans (a very complicated name to pronounce). Taking pictures of this worm and performing biochemical experiments I can see how neurons connect inside it at different times. Then I can input that information in my computer and I can study in a more precise manner how the worm thinks.

I’ll get to the lab in the morning and start doing science! I will do different things depending on the day. Normally I will check on my worms in the morning and spend the rest of the day writing some code in my computer, analysing data or running an experiment. And other days I will spend the day reading papers, going to meetings and thinking about my project. Nowadays, during lockdown , I spend my day coding and reading papers.