Researcher Showcase Interview: Ariel Kraitzick

Welcome to the ABIC Researcher Showcase Blog Series! This initiative is spearheaded by the ABIC Communications & Awareness Working Group, in an effort to ensure local and global visibility of members of the African bioimaging and microscopy community, and the amazing work that they do.

In today's interview, we are speaking to Ariel Kraitzick. Ariel is a postgraduate student at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Ariel's current research interest is the relationship between neuroinflammation and GABAergic signalling in the central nervous system.

Ariel is also the 3rd prize winner of the ABIC Imaging Competition where he shared an amazing image of two interneurons ensheathed by perineuronal nets.

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What inspired you to pursue a career in science?

I have always been passionate about learning and discovering new things. I chose science as it allows me to continuously expand my understanding of the world while also being able to add to that growing body of knowledge.

Were you aware of research or science as a career option prior to your university studies?

Yes, I was. I do not think I understood how many different options there were in the scientific/research field though and fully understood what a career as a researcher entailed.

What led you to choose a career that involved microscopy and image analysis?

In my fourth-year honours course, I chose a project that involved immunohistochemistry and optogenetics, where I analysed inhibitory signalling in brain slices using light-activated ion channels and fluorescent voltage proteins. I have since fallen in love with microscopy and how it allows us to peer into the microscopic cellular world and watch the lives of its inhabitants play out in real time.

When did you first find out about microscopy and its possible benefits to your research?

I was introduced to microscopy during my undergraduate studies, but it wasn’t until my honours year, when I began using it directly, that I truly understood its value and potential for my research.

What research project(s) are you working on, or particularly excited about?

I am currently working on my MSc research, where I am investigating the effect of neuroinflammation on inhibitory signalling in the brain. What excites me about this work is its potential to uncover the mechanisms by which neuroinflammation leads to epilepsy. This is particularly relevant in Africa, where the high prevalence of infectious diseases contributes significantly to epilepsy cases. Understanding these mechanisms could have important implications for developing better treatments and interventions.

Can you describe a recent breakthrough or a significant finding from your research and its potential impact?

I am still early in my research journey, so I haven’t made any major breakthroughs yet, but I’m excited about the progress I’m making and hopeful that I will contribute meaningful findings in the next few years.

How has being a researcher in Africa impacted you, whether in your actual research or in your perspective about research?

Being a researcher in Africa has revealed to me that Africa produces high quality research of great value, and skilled scientists, comparable to the global north. It has also made it very evident that the African patient is often neglected in biomedical studies and eventual treatments. I hope to change this with my research.

Has your experience in your field of research led you to encounter other opportunities to interact with other African microscopists, outside of those in your lab or imaging facility?

Not yet as I am only starting but I hope to in the coming years!

In your experience, what are the challenges that researchers face that seem unique to your region today? How have you been impacted by such challenges?

It is much harder to get as much funding in Africa for research projects and scholarships as there is less money available for science and research. I have been personally impacted by this as I have found it very hard to acquire scholarships to pay for my studies and living expenses.

What type of microscope are you currently using? Is this microscope optimal in helping you answer your research question?

I am currently using a widefield microscope for live imaging of inhibitory signalling in brain slices. It has been very useful in addressing my research questions, though I occasionally face challenges due to the thickness of my slices, where a confocal or two-photon microscope might provide better resolution.

What is the most remarkable thing that you have observed under a microscope?

The most remarkable thing I've observed is the formation of perineuronal nets in my organotypic brain slices as they develop. It’s fascinating to see how these structures form around interneurons in the hippocampus, reflecting the developmental changes in their structure and function.

What do you envision for the future of science and microscopy in your region over the next decade, and how do you hope to contribute to this future?

I envision an “open borders” African science world where researchers all over the continent collaborate and share knowledge to advance science and African healthcare. I hope that every African country would have access to modern microscopy technology. I hope to contribute to this by sharing my knowledge and skills that I gain over my research career with other emerging African scientists.

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Our deepest gratitude to Ariel for conducting this interview with us, and through it, showing us what young scientists are capable of!

If you would like to keep up with Ariel, be sure to follow him on his LinkedIn profile.

Thank you for reading!