55- Dr Leili Rohani- Emerging as a research leader

Dr Leili Rohani is a research scientist with a specialism in engineering heart tissues for cell therapy. Leili currently works at The University of British Columbia in Canada in the  department of Cardiology and cardiovascular surgery.

Leili has had an itinerant research career across different countries and continents. She started her career as a graduate in Iran, then moved abroad for a PhD in Germany, followed some Postdoctoral positions in Canada as well visiting research periods in Austria and the US. 

Leili is now at the threshold of wanting to establish her own research group and shifting towards research independence.

Her interest in stem cell therapy may see her move either way to industry or academia.

Listening to our conversation will prompt your thinking:

• Do you have a regular assessment of your resources and support system (for work and home) to maintain your resilience?
• How are you broadening your own perspectives through experiencing different contexts (e.g., different countries, various professional settings, meeting other types of professionals than just your usual bubble)?
• What was your last “ah ah moment” that put a buzz in your research life?
• What magic could happen if you started thinking differently about how you are recruiting your team? Could using more evaluation of Emotional Intelligence in your recruitment strategy change for the better the dynamics and effectiveness of your team?