Introducing Dollie LaJoie

Dollie LaJoie is a new Research Group Leader at Human Technopole, in the Molecular Cell Biology Research Centre. Her research explores how mutations in proteins can alter cell behaviour and contribute to human disease. By combining cell biology, biochemistry and crosslinking mass spectrometry, her Group will study diseases of the nuclear envelope and investigate the nucleus as a dynamic environment that responds to the specific needs of different cell types. 

Dollie, What inspired you to pursue a career in science? Did you always know you wanted to be a scientist? 

I liked biology in school, but I had always wanted to be a visual artist. This changed in my first year of university. I was taking an introductory biochemistry course, and the instructor gave a lecture on mechanisms of HIV infection. When she described the discovery and mechanism of HIV resistance in individuals with mutant CCR5, it was a watershed moment for me. 

 What will your Group focus on at HT? 

I’m a trained cell biologist who learned techniques in biochemistry and crosslinking mass spectrometry during my postdoctoral work – my goal is to integrate these approaches to understand how mutations in proteins cause cellular phenotypes which result in human disease. 

Tell us a bit more about your research. What is the most fascinating aspect of it? 

The nucleus is my favourite organelle! Outside of the field of nuclear biology, nuclear architecture is often represented a static structure which functions merely to provide a barrier and scaffold for the genome, but in reality, it is a very dynamic and responsive environment, which is tuned to the very specific needs of different cell types. 

What is the most difficult aspect of doing research and how do you deal with it? 

The most difficult aspect of doing research is unpredictability, which can affect all aspects of life: the transitory nature of PhD and postdoc positions, high geographic mobility (particularly internationally), funding and publishing landscapes, the inherent unknowns of conducting research, and so on. 

I think the very real (but cheesy) answer to the question of how I’ve dealt with it, is to participate in the communities and relationships (friends, family, colleagues, sports, etc) that keep me feeling grounded. 

Research can have many ups and downs, big successes but also disappointing moments. How do you find motivation when it is lacking? 

I have two comments, one more philosophical and the other practical. 

Philosophical: I am motivated by my curiosity and excitement for the natural world, not necessarily outcomes. I also believe in making careers in science a productive and sustainable path for the people around me. Of course I’ve experienced a range of disappointments throughout my career, but as long as I’m honouring my basic motivations – excitement for science and supporting my colleagues – I’m accomplishing my most intrinsic goals.  

Practical: Understand that failing is part of trying – if you are challenging yourself, you will encounter failure, and it’s more important that you keep looking forward. You may “fumble the ball,” but it doesn’t mean you’ll lose the game. In contrast, if you allow the fumble to affect you deeply, it will affect the outcome of the game more than the fumble itself.  

How did you learn about Human Technopole and what inspired you to apply? 

I learned about Human Technopole through colleagues and came to appreciate how the vibrant scientific community is and exceptional the National Facilities are. It’s a great fit for me, because I’m able to bridge different approaches across disciplines to study diseases of the nuclear envelope. 

Enough about work! Tell us one thing we could not find out about you from an online search?

One of my favorite artists is Edward Gorey and I have a particular fondness for his illustrations of bats and his series of work for Dracula!