CRS Scientist Spotlight on Dr. Farners Amargant Riera

Farners Amargant Riera, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Francesca Duncan's lab. Her work is focused on understanding how the age-associated changes in the ovarian stroma influence reproductive performance.

What is your current position?

I am a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Francesca Duncan’s lab. 

Could you describe your research?

My research is focused on understanding how the age-associated changes in the ovarian stroma, in particular fibrosis and stiffness, influence reproductive performance. In addition, I am working on optimizing novel preclinical methods to test the treatment-effect of anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory drugs in delaying reproductive aging and improving overall health outcomes.  

What aspect(s) of CRS do you find most valuable or look forward to engaging in?

The CRS is an amazing scientific community with mentors at all levels. Doing research in a department that is only focused on reproductive biology is very unique, but the CRS is also very well connected to other Northwestern departments and integrated into a vibrant scientific atmosphere in the Chicago-area. Collaboration between labs is also a strong insignia from the CRS as well as the multiple opportunities that the CRS offers to the trainees.   

What has been the most valuable aspect to your training as a scientist?

The most valuable aspect of my training is the multidisciplinary nature of my work and the many scientists I collaborate with. Working in the interface between reproduction, aging and biomechanics it is essential to have a solid network of scientists in all these different fields to learn from them and implement techniques and concepts from other fields to the reproductive biology research.   

What would you recommend to junior scientists in order for them to succeed in their scientific careers? ​

Science is challenging and to succeed in this field it is very important to love your job. Advocate for yourself, look for opportunities and fight for them, they will not come to you without looking for them. And finally, when you feel comfortable in your current position, it is time to change. Doing research means getting out of your comfort zone; if you do not feel challenged by the science you are doing, it means that you already acquired all the knowledge you could get from your current lab or position.  

What do you think will be the next big contribution in your field?

There are several research areas that I think they will revolutionize reproductive medicine: 1) Ovarian rejuvenation and the delay of menopause 2) The study of human embryo development after D14 using in vitro approaches. 3) The use of artificial intelligence in the IVF lab   

What hobbies do you have outside of the lab?

As an international person in the US, one of my hobbies outside the lab is meeting my friends, my Chicago family. Travel is another of my big hobbies, and I am always looking for new US states to explore. I also love the sea (specially the Mediterranean Sea since I grew up there) and sailing. Finally, you will always find a book on my nightstand, it is how I disconnect from my work.