Constantina Theofanopoulou
WISeR: “What sparked your initial interest in science, and what drew you to your specific field?”
CT: “Since the beginning, my main driving force has been an unceasing passion for uncovering truth through evidence; science provides a beautiful space for this passion to unfold. In my journey of asking questions and seeking to answer them through evidence-based science, I found that doing so would be difficult if constrained by disciplinary silos. For this reason, I have always resisted rigid academic boundaries and allowed the questions themselves to guide me across fields. This mindset has, in part, led me to engage in a wide range of scientific subfields—from gene manipulation experiments in songbirds to human brain imaging, from comparative genomics to clinical trials using drug- and arts-based therapies. Now, as I focus on the neurobiology of complex motor behaviors like speech and dance and explore potential interventions for related deficits, I recognize that I would never have been able to study these behaviors in the way I do without this transdisciplinary trajectory.”
WISeR: “What aspect of your work in STEM energizes you the most, and why?”
CT: “The two aspects of my work that energize me the most are, first, any interaction with other scientists, and second, writing. Any kind of interaction—whether mentoring or being mentored, discussing new or old ideas, or presenting findings in formal or informal settings—is incredibly energizing for me. The ability to test ideas through different perspectives, give and receive feedback, and, most importantly, listen, listen, listen—I truly enjoy this! Writing, though a much more solitary process, holds its own beauty. There is something profound about the moment when long experiments, findings, hypotheses, and interpretations are ready to be set in stone. It is a unique blend of resolution and vulnerability that I deeply cherish.”
WISeR: “Looking back at your career journey, what achievements or moments have brought you the greatest joy?”
CT: “Following the thread of the previous question, I would say that the moments in my scientific journey that have brought me the greatest joy are those when science comes alive through dynamic human interaction—when someone asks a thought-provoking question, challenges an interpretation, or offers a hypothesis that is complementary to or completely different from mine. Dialogue in science can be incredibly powerful! At the same time, I fully acknowledge that dialogue often goes hand in hand with rhetoric, and scientific conversations are no exception. Having been immersed in the art of rhetoric growing up in Greece—where it was a required subject in middle and high school—I am always intrigued by the challenge of separating what is truly evidence-based from what is simply the result of persuasive argumentation. Some years ago, at a workshop I organized at the Rockefeller Field Research Center, I prompted groups of scientists to argue for or against ideas they personally disagreed with. It was fascinating to see how compelling their arguments were and the strategies they employed. This experience reinforced the immense responsibility scientists have to disentangle science-backed evidence from the art of persuasion. To bring it back to the question, ultimately, the moments that have brought me the greatest joy in my career have been those where fruitful, respectful, and deeply scientific dialogue was taking place.”
WISeR: “What advice would you give to young women who are just beginning their STEM journey?”
CT: “Begin your STEM journey with passion and joy. And always remember—any challenges you face simply because you are a woman are not your fault. Despite the progress we have made in understanding the deep historical, societal, and cultural roots of these obstacles, women often still tend to blame themselves first. So, if I could give one piece of advice to young women in STEM, I would write “ENJOY” in bold, capital letters. And somewhere small, tucked away for the moments they need it most, I would also write, “It’s not your fault.”