Meet our grant holders: Dr Rodrigo Young
Dr Rodrigo Young, senior research fellow at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, held a Career Development Award (CDA) from May 2020 to September 2022.
We caught up with Rodrigo to find out about the work he carried out during his award, and how the funding has helped him to reach the next stage of his research career.
Why did you apply for a Career Development Award (CDA), and what appealed most to you about the scheme?
I had reached a point in my career where I had a strong research output from my postdoc and had developed enough original ideas to confidently pursue multiple independent projects.
Moorfields Eye Charity’s Career Development Award was a perfect fit given my research focus on eye development and its link to congenital eye globe defects.
The CDA also enabled me to apply for a Springboard Award, which I was granted and was essential in kickstarting my lab.
The CDA was a fundamental step in my career as it enabled me to focus on preparing research material and writing larger grant applications.
Dr Rodrigo Young, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology
Can you give us a short overview of your research interests? What work did you carry out during your CDA?
We discovered that zebrafish eyes can grow to the correct size even when they begin developing with fewer cells, such as when certain genes are mutated. Conversely, if experimentally, the eye starts developing with more cells, it still reaches the expected “normal” size.
We named this buffering mechanism ‘eye growth compensation’ and are now investigating whether it is also active in other vertebrates, such as mice and humans.
Eye growth compensation is particularly relevant to patients born with smaller or absent eyes (microphthalmia and anophthalmia), as this mechanism is likely impaired in individuals with these conditions.
My CDA enabled me to test proof-of-concept ideas that form the foundation of my current research. I studied the genomes of anophthalmic and microphthalmic patients with no prior molecular diagnosis and identified new genes linked to these conditions.
How did you find the process of applying to the charity for funding?
The process of applying for a CDA was simple and straightforward, and the application form is very clear. The staff at Moorfields Eye Charity are approachable and highly supportive, which was a great help when I applied.
The charity website provides all the necessary information to submit a competitive application.
How has the CDA supported your career? What impact has the CDA had on your research career so far?
The CDA was a fundamental step in my career as it enabled me to focus on preparing research material and writing larger grant applications. Following the CDA, I was awarded an MRC research grant, which is now leading to the publication of the research we have developed in my lab.
Have you encountered any unexpected benefits or opportunities as a result of your CDA?
Yes, the network I have built through the CDA is excellent. During my CDA, I established valuable collaborations with colleagues at the Institute of Ophthalmology.
Additionally, I have since been able to apply for further funding from Moorfields Eye Charity, and have recently been awarded a Springboard Award and a PhD Studentship grant for my current PhD student.
My Career Development Award enabled me to test proof-of-concept ideas that form the foundation of my current research
Dr Rodrigo Young, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology
What are the next steps for you and your research?
I am currently in the consolidation phase of my research team as I prepare to apply for the next round of MRC/BBSRC/Wellcome research project funding.
My goal is to further expand my research team, which currently consists of an MSc student, a PhD student, and two postdoctoral researchers.
Do you have any advice for people who may be thinking about applying for a CDA?
If you have enough material to move toward independence, don’t hesitate - go for it!
Prepare your application well in advance, and if you get shortlisted, put in the effort to excel in the interview. This is your chance to showcase your strengths to the panel, so make sure they see the best version of you.
Do you have any tips or tricks for writing successful grant proposals based on your experience?
When writing grant applications, it’s crucial to strike the right balance between being general and specific.
Reviewers should be able to understand your proposal even if they are not experts in your field while also recognising that you are an expert who knows the fundamental questions that need to be addressed. In short, always write with the panel of reviewers in mind.
Additionally, it can be helpful to meet with the team at Moorfields Eye Charity to discuss your application and the overall application process.
