Simon Lab Spotlight! Max VanDyck

Max VanDyck, Associate Researcher, from Saratoga Springs, NY 
B.A. in Biochemistry from Vassar College in Dutchess County, NY      

Q. Cats, Dogs or other? 
A. Dogs, I feel they have a better outlook on life. 

Q. What sparked your interest in virology research or led you to join the Simon and Mulder Lab? 
A. I think the Covid-19 pandemic showcased the importance of virology and inevitably when the next pandemic happens, the world and scientists should be ready.  

Q. What is the most interesting part of your job? 
A. It must be the amazing people I work with and all they teach me.  

Q. What is your favorite spot in all of New York? 
A. Central Park, especially in the more autumnal parts of the year. 

Q. How did the Pandemic impact your position on research and virology? 
A. Well, the development for example of the mRNA vaccines has revealed the obvious impact that research can have at the population and global level, so I’d say it has only made a stronger advocate for foundational and translational research. 

Q. What does a day in the lab look like? 
A. It usually starts with two morning meetings where I plan my day. After that I often work with cells in the morning, reading papers, analyzing data, etc. 

Q. Aside from being a great scientist, what would you describe as your personal superpower? 
A. Well, I love to learn new things, for example, I have been teaching myself how to play piano for the past couple of years. 

Q. If you could share one piece of advice with people interested in research, what would it be? 
A. I'd say be open to learning new things and the most important thing is to ask questions and rely on people who have more experience than you. 

Thank you Max for sharing your story and also Aidan Vera for helping with the Spotlight Series!