Scientific data are rarely clean and clear. Often, they are blurred or distorted by ‘noise’ – random disturbances that get mixed in with real data and make them difficult to interpret. Thankfully, statisticians like Dr Catia Scricciolo from the University of Verona in Italy are developing methods to counteract the problem, drawing on mathematical optimisation and probability to remove this noise and reveal the signals it was hiding.

When scientists record data – whether astronomers are measuring stars, medical personnel are taking MRI scans, or physicists are measuring subatomic particles – their results are rarely squeaky clean. This makes it difficult to see the true signal through the blur. “In science, ‘blur’ comes from equipment limitations, physical effects or interference, as well as random noise,” says Catia. “To counter this, scientists use deconvolution – a process that mathematically recovers the original clear signal from the blurred measurement.”

When astronomers look up at the night sky using telescopes here on Earth, the atmosphere bends light randomly, which is why stars appear to twinkle. When biologists look at cells under the microscope, all the parts of the three-dimensional cell that are not in the targeted two-dimensional plane show up as out-of-focus haze. “We can use deconvolution to turn blurry, hard-to-interpret data like these into sharper, more useful information,” says Catia. “Mathematically speaking, this involves estimating the original signal by undoing the effects of an unknown or partially known blurring process.”

Noise: the enemy of deconvolution

But deconvolution becomes trickier when the blurring is caused by random, unpredictable effects. “This type of unwanted, random disturbance is called noise,” explains Catia. “Noise makes deconvolution much harder, and sometimes impossible.” The more noise there is, the harder it is to decide what is signal and what is just random, limiting what can be recovered. Ideally, noise is minimised when the measurements are taken, but this is not always possible. “Because noise is random, you can never be completely sure which parts of your observation are the original signal and which are just noise,” says Catia. “So, deconvolution can give you an estimate of the truth, but not the exact truth.”

Thankfully, statisticians have some nifty tricks up their sleeves to help with deconvolution for noisy data. “The Wasserstein metric defines a distance between probability distributions,” says Catia. “In plainer language, it’s a way to focus on the overall shape of a distribution of data, rather than getting caught up in the ‘bumps’ caused by noise.” Catia studies Wasserstein deconvolution through a mix of mathematics and probability. “I use mathematical optimisation to find the original distribution that best explains the noisy data,” she says. “The Wasserstein metric then acts as a score that measures how far my guess is from the truth.” Catia also adds in a regularisation term that forces a recovered distribution to smooth out any wiggles that are likely to be due to noise rather than actual quirks in the data. “All together, these methods turn messy, noisy data into a clean estimate of the original distribution,” she says.

Helping out scientists

Catia’s research is improving the reliability of Wasserstein deconvolution methods, which other scientists can then use to clean up their own datasets. “Scientists in other fields can apply my deconvolution method without needing to be experts in the mathematics behind it,” she says. “For example, doctors can use it to sharpen MRI scans, helping them see tumours more clearly.” Going back to astronomers, they can use Catia’s method to clean up blurry images of distant galaxies, uncovering details that were previously hidden by the noise of the atmosphere. Space telescopes can also benefit – when the Hubble Telescope was first launched, there was an error in its mirror array which introduced blur into the data it recorded. Using deconvolution, astronomers recovered stunning images of space from the blurry data.

Catia hopes that her research can help accelerate scientific discovery by taking the burden off scientists to develop their own data cleaning methods. “Instead of struggling to invent their own mathematical solutions, they can use the Wasserstein deconvolution techniques I helped develop,” she says. “In short, my work removes a barrier so other scientists can focus on their own research – whether that is curing a disease, discovering a new planet or understanding human behaviour.”

Dr Catia Scricciolo
Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Verona, Italy

Field of research: Statistics

Research paper: Adaptive minimax-optimal Wasserstein deconvolution with unknown error distributions. Scricciolo, C., (2026) doi: 110.1016/j.spl.2025.110589

Do you have a question for Catia?
Write it in the comments box below and she will get back to you. (Remember, researchers are very busy people, so you may have to wait a few days.)

While Catia is developing methods to remove noise from data, some computer scientists are adding noise to data to improve online privacy:

futurumcareers.com/make-some-noise-the-mathematical-theories-behind-data-privacy

A good diet is essential to our well-being, and the importance of a healthy diet only increases as we get older. While healthy diets help to keep us free from disease, diets lacking key nutrients can contribute to conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. That is why Dr Jeannette Beasley from New York University in the US is researching how we can improve our diets to keep diseases at bay, especially as we approach old age.

Jeannette’s research, including BRIDGE, is founded on a strong evidence base. Dietitians and nutrition epidemiologists, like Jeannette, use a range of tools and analytical skills to help them study how diet influences health across populations. “We use a range of questionnaires that ask participants which types of food they typically consume, or what they consumed in a set time period, such as the last 24 hours,” explains Jeannette. “We also use objective biomarkers, such as measuring nitrogen concentration in urine samples, to improve measurement accuracy.” Advanced statistical techniques and different types of trials help generate a range of high-quality comparable data.

Digital technologies are making data collection and processing easier than ever. “Electronic health records allow us to study real-world patient outcomes across large populations,” says Jeannette. “They provide data on diagnoses, laboratory values and long-term health outcomes.” It is important to include demographically diverse populations in these studies because disease risks can vary hugely across different cultures and socioeconomic contexts. “Inclusive research ensures recommendations are equitable,” says Jeannette.

Jeannette’s latest projects are embracing these technologies and ensuring inclusivity. “I am collaborating on projects that are exploring digital and AI-supported interventions, while continuing to improve our understanding of the role of dietary patterns in cardiovascular, metabolic and cognitive health,” she says. “My long-term goal is to improve diet quality among older adults while increasing equity and inclusion in nutrition research.”

Professor Jeannette Beasley
Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, Department of Medicine, New York University, USA

Fields of research: Dietetics; nutrition epidemiology

Research project: Exploring the links between diet and disease

Funders: New York University; US National Institutes of Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; American Diabetes Association; Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences; American Heart Association

About dietetics and nutrition epidemiology

Dietetics is the study of diet and its effect on health and nutrition. “Dietetics combines biology, behaviour, medicine and public health,” says Jeannette. “It offers opportunities to conduct research, work clinically, influence policy and educate communities.”

Nutrition epidemiology focuses on how diet affects health across populations. Researchers analyse dietary patterns, health data and biomarkers to understand how food influences diseases like diabetes and heart disease, and to identify ways to prevent them.

A day in the life of a dietitian or nutrition epidemiologist is typically very varied. “My days include mentoring students and junior faculty, teaching, analysing data, reading and contributing to papers, writing grants, and collaborating with clinicians and community partners,” says Jeannette. “No two days are the same, which makes the field dynamic and rewarding.”

Everyone eats, so dietetics affects us all. “Nutrition affects nearly every chronic disease, so the potential for impact is enormous,” says Jeannette. Dietetics also engages with the socioeconomic side of nutrition, acknowledging the health disparities that arise due to differences in ability to access nutritious food. For instance, around 19 million people in the US live in ‘food deserts’ (areas far away from the nearest supermarket) meaning they may rely on processed foods found in smaller stores or fast-food outlets close by. Addressing these challenges involves a lot of advocacy and communication work.

The importance of effective communication is also exemplified in countering myths about nutrition. Public opinion on which foods are healthy or not is changing all the time, and is not always based on evidence. “Combatting misinformation and finding ways to make accurate measurements to better understand the science are big challenges in our line of work,” says Jeannette. “To meet these challenges, it’s important to have strong communication and critical thinking skills.”

Pathway from school to dietetics and nutrition epidemiology

At school, subjects such as biology, chemistry, mathematics (especially statistics) and psychology are useful for understanding the core material around dietetics and nutrition.

At university or college, the same subjects can lead to a career in dietetics – as can fields such as food science, clinical nutrition, public health or human physiology. A dietetic internship and registration exam are also necessary milestones for becoming a registered dietitian in the US.

Jeannette also recommends getting research or volunteer experience in healthcare or in community settings to understand more about dietetics as a career path and what it looks like in practice.

Explore careers in dietetics and nutrition epidemiology

Jeannette recommends exploring professional organisations such as the American Heart Association, where she serves on the nutrition committee.

Careers in dietetics may fall under job titles such as clinical dietitian, public health nutritionist, research scientist, professor, policy advisor or digital health innovator. You can find out more about the path to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist here.

As Jeannette mentions, dietetics careers (and salaries) are very varied. Dietitians can work in hospitals, private practice, health departments or academic research, like Jeannette.

Meet Jeannette

When I was five, I chose to become a vegetarian for ethical reasons. In high school, my biology teacher questioned whether I would get enough protein to grow. This sparked my interest in nutrition science and eventually shaped my career.

I love discovering new insights about diet. I enjoy uncovering how diet influences long-term health, which unlocks the possibility of preventing chronic disease and helping people age with strength and independence. I also love mentoring the next generation of researchers and seeing them grow into professionals.

Curiosity and persistence are essential ‘soft skills’ in dietetics. Additionally, strong quantitative analysis skills are very handy, as is a focus on establishing and nurturing strong mentor relationships.

I have run five marathons across the United States, Italy and Ireland! Staying active is important to me: I love running, yoga and keeping up with my son, which keeps me balanced and energised. Seeing his curiosity and hearing his constant questions about science and health reminds me why science communication and mentorship matter.

Jeannette’s top tips

Ask questions, embrace statistics, stay active and do not let doubt discourage you. Curiosity can turn into a lifelong career.

Do you have a question for Jeannette?
Write it in the comments box below and she will get back to you. (Remember, researchers are very busy people, so you may have to wait a few days.)

Learn more about how dietetics can help teenage athletes perform better:

futurumcareers.com/staying-on-track-how-do-teenage-athletes-choose-what-to-eat

P’urhepecha is an Indigenous language of Mexico that is also spoken by diaspora communities in the USA. At Leiden University in the Netherlands, Dr Kate Bellamy is investigating how P’urhepecha varies between these communities, and how multilingual environments influence the way the language is used.

I studied modern and medieval languages at university, focusing mostly on French and Italian from about 1200 CE to the present. After graduating, I worked in sales for a large brewery but didn’t enjoy it. So, I found a job that made use of my language skills by researching education systems and qualifications throughout Europe and beyond to establish standards of comparison between them. Nonetheless, I felt like I was wasting one of my main talents – my multilingualism. I moved to Luxembourg to work as a project coordinator at a university, which made me realise I wanted to study more. And so I ended up at Leiden University in the Netherlands, where I gained a Master’s degree and PhD in linguistics, and now work as a linguistics researcher.

I love learning new languages because I love being able to interact with people who speak different languages. It opens my eyes to their culture in a different way. I am fluent in English (my mother tongue), Dutch, French, Italian and Spanish, I can have conversations in German, I can get by in P’urhepecha, and I can do basic things like ordering food in Russian and Georgian. Last year, I also started learning Limburgian, the local language of the region where I live in the Netherlands.

One of my favourite memories from my linguistics research was when I organised a trip to the Newberry Library in Chicago for P’urhepecha speakers living in the area. The library holds P’urhepecha books written in the 16th and 17th centuries, and it was very moving to see members of the P’urhepecha community come face-to-face with these books for the first time – to be able to turn the pages and read the words aloud.

Kate’s top tips

1. Study what you enjoy – don’t study something just because you think it will get you a job.

2. Be prepared to get out of your comfort zone – the results can be very rewarding.

3. Don’t let failure or rejection get you down – know it will just make you stronger. Remember that persistence and hard work pay off!

Do you have a question for Kate?
Write it in the comments box below and she will get back to you. (Remember, researchers are very busy people, so you may have to wait a few days.)

Learn how your language abilities can shape you:

futurumcareers.com/can-embracing-plurilingualism-transform-education

In Kenya, men who have sex with men (MSM) face higher risks of HIV, yet their voices are often missing from the science that shapes health decisions. A team of academic and community researchers, including Professor Sharmistha Mishra, Jeffrey Walimbwa, Nancy Tahmo and Dr Lisa Lazarus, is co-developing mathematical models of HIV with MSM organisations. By combining lived experiences with mathematical models and epidemiology, this community-led project aims to create more accurate models, improve HIV prevention and empower communities.

Over the past two years, the team has run a series of workshops with community members, starting by teaching the basics of data systems, modelling concepts and terminology. These workshops gradually built up to a stage where the community members co-designed their own mathematical model alongside the academic researchers. “This was a great success – it took a lot of knowledge sharing and training together to get to this point,” says Sharmistha. “The fact that community members co-designed the architecture of the mathematical model means it is based on their real lived experiences instead of just assumptions from the academic literature.”

Another key achievement has been training community members to lead the analysis of data collected by local MSM organisations. “These data become the inputs for our co-developed mathematical models to better understand the persistence of HIV epidemics,” explains Sharmistha.

An important component of the project involved critically reviewing over 9,000 published infectious disease models to examine how often community participation is included. Several community members were involved in the review process. “Preliminary results confirm our hypothesis that community involvement in mathematical modelling of infectious diseases is still quite rare,” says Nancy. “These insights reinforce the importance of our work – by co-developing a model with community partners, we are contributing to the evidence that participatory modelling can uniquely foster representation and the relevance of research.”

Lastly, during the model co-development process, the team recognised that meaningful community participation requires a shared understanding of modelling fundamentals. To support this, they developed a digital learning module that explains key modelling concepts and provides examples relevant to the local context. One of the community researchers helped refine the module before it was shared with the group, ensuring it was practical and accessible. These steps have strengthened both the skills and confidence of community researchers, enabling them to contribute to the models, interpret data effectively, and apply findings to HIV prevention and care in their communities.

“When community voices drive modelling, results are richer and more impactful for advocacy and designing interventions,” says Jeffrey. “This participatory modelling process proves that community expertise is essential, and it challenges traditional assumptions about who can contribute to scientific understanding.”

Research project: Co-developing mathematical models of HIV epidemics with affected communities

Fields of research: Mathematical modelling; epidemiology; social sciences

Funder: New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) – Exploration grant number NFRFE-2023-00436

About the intersection of infectious disease epidemiology and social sciences

Epidemiology is the study of how infections spread through populations and how they can be prevented or controlled. “Epidemiologists try to understand patterns of infection, which could be at a community or whole population level,” says Sharmistha. “By understanding how an infectious disease might spread, epidemiologists try to understand how we can support communities and populations to prevent the spread and become healthier.”

When combined with insights from social sciences, epidemiology gains a deeper understanding of human behaviour, community dynamics and the structural factors that shape health outcomes. “Critical social scientists are interested in better understanding issues of power, relationships, and social and political contexts,” says Lisa. “The ethnographic methods that we have added to our project aim to track ethical issues in attempts to make visible what is often hidden in projects.” This interdisciplinary approach ensures that models and public health interventions are grounded not only in biological and statistical data but also in lived experiences and community knowledge.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this work is seeing how diverse perspectives come together to tackle complex health challenges. Community members bring insights that can reshape scientific thinking, prompting new questions, simulations or analyses that would not have arisen otherwise. “Communities know their needs better than researchers can ever imagine, and they are eager and motivated to see the research contribute to something positive,” says Nancy. For researchers, these interactions, which are often informal conversations, highlight the importance of integrating community knowledge with epidemiological methods, ensuring that models and interventions are both scientifically robust and truly responsive to the communities they serve. Witnessing community members gain skills and ownership in the research process is also deeply rewarding, as it demonstrates how participatory approaches can democratise science and amplify the voices of those most affected by health decisions.

Pathway from school to epidemiology and social sciences

Epidemiology, mathematical modelling and the social sciences are very broad and interdisciplinary, so almost any educational path could lead you to a career in these fields!

In high school, focus on mathematics, biology, computing, social studies and humanities.

At university, it would be useful to take courses in epidemiology, public health, social sciences, sociology, anthropology or health policy.

“Epidemiologists and social scientists need critical thinking skills to question what they observe and critically analyse data, as well as communication skills to explain results,” says Sharmistha. “Epidemiologists also need to be able to think logically and creatively to solve problems – board games and escape rooms are great for developing these skills!”

“Social scientists often work with social theories (which involves a lot of reading) and analyse qualitative data,” says Lisa. “Writing skills are also incredibly important.”

Explore careers in epidemiology and social sciences

“Epidemiologists critically examine data and try to explain what is going on – skills which can be applied in a wide range of areas from public health to wildlife ecology to genetics to virology,” explains Sharmistha. “Social epidemiologists use epidemiology principles and tools to understand and address inequalities, not just in health but in any sector of society.”

“Social sciences is not a single field, so there are endless career possibilities, depending on your interests,” says Lisa.

“If you’re interested in epidemiology or modelling, remember that numbers only make sense in context,” says Nancy. “Take every opportunity to connect with communities, because understanding the realities behind the data will make you a far stronger scientist.”

“Volunteer with community-based organisations to build relationships and learn about community needs,” advises Lisa. “Come in ready to listen to what people are telling you about their own needs, and partner in ways that support community-identified approaches.”

Many international organisations provide learning resources, training opportunities and insights into careers in epidemiology and social sciences, such as the World Health Organization (who.int) and UNAIDS (unaids.org).

Meet Sharmistha

Professor and Infectious Diseases Doctor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada

As a child, my family moved from India to Canada. We moved in December and my first memory is of huge mounds of snow and sliding down snowy hills in the park! I remember missing my extended family back home a lot, but over time, I found a community of new friends. Initially, I was the ‘odd kid out’ at my new school in Canada as there were only two other non-white students. Over the years, more children from different backgrounds gradually arrived which made a difference as we gravitated toward each other.

As a teenager, I think medicine appealed to me because it was what many of my friends were interested in. It wasn’t until my third year of medical school, when I first got a chance to practice it, that I realised I loved medicine. I had no plans to do research until the very end of my clinical training, when I attended a talk about the collaborative response to the HIV epidemic in India. This inspired my interest in epidemiology.

As an infectious diseases doctor, I spend my days seeing patients, listening to their stories, and trying to diagnose and treat their conditions. As a mathematical modeller and epidemiologist, a typical day involves problem-solving by drawing diagrams of mechanisms and writing or debugging code to run epidemiology models.

Co-developing mathematical models with affected communities is very rewarding. I like it when something unexpected arrives from community expertise to re-shape our thinking.

I worked with the World Health Organization during the 2014 Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone. I used my clinical expertise as an infectious disease doctor to care for sick patients, and I used my epidemiology expertise to support outbreak investigation and management. I collaborated with colleagues in Sierra Leone to study the impacts of the Ebola outbreak on other health conditions and services.

Sharmistha’s top tips

1. I think 15-year-old you could be very surprised by what 25-year-old or 35-year-old you ends up doing with your life and work!

2. Looking back, the most fulfilling work experiences were the ones that I was most scared of trying.

Meet Jeffrey

Program Manager, Ishtar MSM, Kenya; Research Lead, Community Research and Technical Support Hub

When I was a teenager, I dreamt of becoming a chef. Cooking was my creative outlet, and it taught me patience and attention to detail. I also enjoyed dancing, which was another way for me to express myself and connect with others, and reading, which opened my mind to new ideas and different worlds.

My first experience with research came during a fellowship at the Human Rights Advocacy Program at Columbia University, USA. At the time, I didn’t see myself as a ‘researcher’. I was an advocate, deeply committed to the rights and dignity of gay men. That fellowship opened my eyes to how research could be a powerful form of advocacy when grounded in the voices and experiences of the communities it aims to serve.

For me, research is never just about the data – it’s about the people behind the data. I’ve participated as a researcher in numerous studies, always grounded in the belief that data must lead to action.

I believe that communities are the experts in their own lives. For too long, research on gay men has been done to communities, not with them. To challenge this, I co-founded Action for Access, an international community-led study into gay men’s health and rights, to show that research can be a tool for empowerment when it is community led.

In my role at Ishtar MSM, I am involved in coordinating our programmes, advocating for community needs, engaging with policymakers, ensuring our interventions are impactful, and translating research into actionable tools that inform policy and practice. I have also established a Community Research and Technical Support Hub to strengthen community-led research projects.

I am passionate about community-based participatory research because it centres the voices and expertise of those affected by the issues being studied. It is empowering to see how co-developing mathematical models of HIV fosters a sense of ownership among MSM as they take an active role in shaping the models.

Jeffrey’s top tips

1. Stay consistent and focused.

2. It is not an easy road if you are gay in Kenya, where you can be at risk of violence. So stay strong.

Meet Nancy

PhD student, Division of Epidemiology, University of Toronto, Canada

I have always wanted to bring hope to people, because I believe keeping hope alive helps people stay motivated and thrive. This led me toward community health, as I understood first-hand the vicious cycle of poor health and well-being.

I wanted to be a doctor, so I studied science subjects at school and took the medical entrance examination in Cameroon. But I failed. I studied biochemistry at university instead, where I found my true calling in infectious disease prevention and control. In hindsight, my interests have matured in a beautiful way because of that failure.

My inspiration to become an epidemiologist came from Dr Judith Shang at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Cameroon. She was the first person to talk to me about public health. Until that day, I only knew about healthcare, but through her, I learned about the critical role of public health in supporting population-wide disease prevention and control efforts.

In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, I moved by myself to Omaha, Nebraska – a place that felt worlds apart from Cameroon. The culture, weather and pace of life were all very different. My biggest challenge was navigating imposter syndrome as a young Black African woman in a predominantly White Midwest environment. At the same time, the move was transformative, helping me learn more about myself and truly become independent.

During my work with zoonotic diseases (that spread from animals to humans) in Sub-Saharan Africa, I collaborated with research teams in Cameroon and the US to understand the burden of infectious diseases such as Ebola. We worked with tribal chiefs, communities and health district leaders to learn from their lived experiences, and we combined our findings from research and community conversations to inform surveillance and response efforts.

Nancy’s top tips

1. Remember to enjoy the growth process. My journey hasn’t always gone as planned, as things have evolved in unexpected ways. So it is important to have a plan but to also stay open to the magic of the moment.

2. Surround yourself with good people who understand your vision and will support you along the way.

Meet Lisa

Assistant Professor, Institute for Global Public Health, College of Community and Global Health, University of Manitoba, Canada

As a teenager, I really enjoyed music and went to a lot of concerts. One of my first jobs was at a music store selling CDs, well before streaming became the main way that we listen to music.

I started my professional career as a social worker at a hospital-based clinic in Montreal, working with people living with HIV. While I loved my job, I became interested in the recurring systemic issues within the healthcare system. This led me to pursue a master’s degree in public health, where I met Dr Robert Lorway and learnt about community-based research methodologies. Community-based research allows me to address systemic health issues while collaborating with community members who have lived experiences of interacting with healthcare systems. Rob and I still work together, and he is also a member of this participatory modelling project.

I credit Ashodaya Samithi with my on-the-ground education in community-led practices. Ashodaya Samithi is a sex worker-led organisation in India which was established in response to the HIV epidemic. Community leaders run the organisation, which provides medical care, prioritises community voices in health interventions, and advocates for the needs and rights of sex workers. I began collaborating with Ashodaya Samithi in 2009 and, for my doctoral research, I studied how the organisation’s community-led delivery of HIV prevention medicine among sex workers increased uptake.

There really is no ‘typical’ day as a social sciences researcher! When I am travelling for work, I spend time with community partners collaborating on our research activities. This includes meeting to co-develop our research methods, working together to analyse data, and discussing how to disseminate our findings to community or government partners. When I am at the University of Manitoba, I write papers to share our findings, write grant applications to get funding for projects, and read about the latest research.

Lisa’s top tips

1. There are lots of avenues in public health research, so reach out to people who do work that interests you.

2. Spend time volunteering to build genuine relationships and listen to what communities are telling you.

With special thanks to the HEKA participatory modelling team: Allan Ogalo, Anthony Noah, Byron Odhiambo, Charles Kyalo, Fortune Ligare, Gilbert Asuri, Jedidah Wanjiku, Kennedy Mwendwa, Kennedy Olango, Kennedy Ouma, Loice Nekesa, Pascal Macharia, Silvano Tabbu, Adrienne K. Chan, Stefan Baral, Robert Lorway, Nancy Tahmo, Jeffrey Walimbwa Wambaya, Lisa Lazarus and Sharmistha Mishra

Do you have a question for the team?
Write it in the comments box below and they will get back to you. (Remember, researchers are very busy people, so you may have to wait a few days.)

Discover how epidemiologists use mathematical models to keep our food safe:

futurumcareers.com/can-mathematics-keep-our-food-safe-to-eat

The rise of social media has provided advertisers with new ways to connect with potential customers, by designing adverts that blend in with other social media content. At Hochschule Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences in Germany, behavioural scientists Dr Maike Hübner and Professor Julia Thalmann are using eye-tracking technology to examine how users engage with these ‘native ads’.

About behavioural science

Behavioural science is the scientific study of human behaviour, combining insights from fields such as psychology, sociology, neuroscience and economics. “Behavioural science helps us understand how people make decisions in real life,” says Maike. “It is important that businesses understand consumer behaviour, because they often assume people make rational choices, but in reality, many decisions are made quickly and are based on habits or emotions.”

Common lines of behavioural science research involve investigating how attention, perception and decision-making work – areas that are of high interest to advertising companies working out how to sell products. “Behavioural science is also important for consumer protection,” says Maike. “It helps us identify when people may be misled or overwhelmed by information and how to support better decision-making.”

Behavioural science is always evolving because the factors that affect our behaviour are always changing, especially technology. “Things like voice assistants, social robots and AI tools are being designed to seem more human,” says Julia. “Behavioural scientists will study how people interact with these human-like technologies.” Additionally, virtual reality is blurring the lines between physical and virtual interaction and opening the door for new forms of advertising, such as adverts being displayed within the virtual environments of computer games. These topics are all highly interesting and important to behavioural scientists as they help us navigate this new world.

Pathway from school to behavioural science

“Behavioural science connects many fields, so combining different perspectives will help you understand how people behave and how systems, products and markets work,” says Julia.

Subjects such as psychology and sociology will teach you about how people think, feel and behave, while business and marketing will teach you how organisations make decisions and how behaviour is studied in real-world settings.

Learn statistics and data analysis skills as these are very important for analysing research data.

“Stay curious about how people think and behave,” advises Maike. “And develop creativity and communication skills. Behavioural scientists work in teams across different disciplines, so being open-minded and collaborative is important.”

Explore careers in behavioural science

Behavioural scientists understand human behaviour and decision-making, so are sought after in many different fields and industries. For example, you could work in advertising or marketing to persuade people to buy products, for a tech company to ensure that new technological innovations are user-friendly, for a political organisation to understand why people support different political parties, or for a healthcare organisation to encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyles.

This article introduces you to different career paths in behavioural science: thedecisionlab.com/insights/hr/a-guide-to-career-paths-in-behavioral-science

Meet Maike

I’ve always been curious about why people do what they do. When I was at school, I also enjoyed creative subjects, and anything that let me question things and start a good debate.

Over time, I realised I was always the person asking “Why?” Why do people follow trends? Why do we trust certain messages? Why do people change their behaviour? When I discovered that the field of behavioural science is dedicated to studying exactly that, it felt like a natural fit.

I was motivated to study native ad engagement when I started noticing how often people around me referred to social media when talking about their decisions. Friends and family would say things like, “Someone I follow recommended this,” or “This influencer uses that, so I tried it too.” I found it fascinating and a bit strange how much trust people place in someone they have never met. I wanted to understand how this influence works and if these people fully realise they are being persuaded.

I spend much of my free time in my garden. I enjoy planting, harvesting and cooking with what grows there. I also love meeting friends to play board games and card games. And I will never say no to visiting a petting zoo and booping animal noses!

Maike’s top tips

1. Embrace being the person who asks questions, especially when others might hesitate.

2. If something feels strange, unclear, or overly persuasive, take a step back and try to understand the underlying reasons.

3. Remember that it’s okay to be different, to challenge ideas, and to question the status quo.

Meet Julia

As a teenager, I was fascinated by branding and retail advertising, and I was curious about how businesses work behind-the-scenes. At the same time, I wanted to explore the world and experience new cultures.

I spent several years working in the marketing industry. At the manufacturing company Henkel, I worked in sales, brand management and marketing, and later at the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson, I managed retail accounts and commercial planning. These roles gave me a strong understanding of how consumer psychology, retail structures and strategic decision-making interact.

I actively use social media across various platforms, both professionally and personally. I am mindful about the content I consume and the time I spend online. Given my academic focus, I am very aware of how algorithms, recommendation systems and profiling mechanisms operate.

I recharge the most when spending time with family and close friends. I enjoy exploring new things – from trying out new recipes to travelling somewhere unfamiliar. Being active outdoors, especially hiking, skiing or running, gives me energy and perspective.

Julia’s top tips

1. Never stop learning. AI, digital platforms and consumer research are evolving rapidly, so continuous learning is essential.

2. Go international because living and working abroad builds perspectives and adaptability that last a lifetime.

3. Take responsibility. Leadership grows through experience, so step into projects that challenge you.

Do you have a question for Maike or Julia?
Write it in the comments box below and they will get back to you. (Remember, researchers are very busy people, so you may have to wait a few days.)

Discover how behavioural scientists are exploring the link between diversity in the workplace and productivity:

futurumcareers.com/why-is-diversity-important-for-productivity

Imagine developing pain somewhere in your body, which starts to affect your sleep, mood, energy levels, physical activity, anxiety and ability to concentrate. Despite doing your best to make it go away, it is still there months later. To what lengths would you go to stop it? At Harvard Medical School and the Boston Children’s Hospital in the US, Dr Joe Kossowsky is investigating chronic pain in teenagers, and the methods they are using to manage it.

Through their work with smartphones and wearables, the team has been able to find patterns showing when teens are more likely to turn to substance use, meaning that help can be provided at the right time. “When we detect these patterns, we aim to deliver brief, targeted digital interventions before teens fall into a pattern of using substances to cope,” says Joe.

More to come

The team has also started exploring the role of circadian rhythms in pain, cannabis use and sleep. “Our bodies have an internal 24-hour clock, managed by the brain, which regulates sleep and alertness as well as mood, pain sensitivity and immune function,” explains Joe. “During the teen years, this clock naturally shifts later, resulting in later bedtimes.” However, the early start of a typical school day clashes with this shift in teenagers’ natural cycles, which can lead to them missing out on sleep. “Our next step is to develop interventions that target the circadian clock,” says Joe. “This is an exciting approach because circadian disruption may represent a shared biological pathway linking pain sensitivity, mood regulation and substance use risk.”

Combining different research angles, Joe and his team aim to provide accessible, personalised and ongoing support that is helpful in the long-term. “Our hope is that our work can help teens with pain get back to full, active and fulfilling lives,” says Joe.

Support information

(US) adolescenthealth.org/resources/ resources-for-adolescents-and-parents/ substance-use-resources-for-adolescents-and-young-adults

(UK) youngminds.org.uk/young-person/ coping-with-life/drugs-and-alcohol

“If you are self-medicating to deal with pain, sleep problems, or anxiety, the most important thing you can do is talk to someone you trust (a parent, teacher, counsellor or general practitioner) so you can find approaches that truly work for you.” – Joe

Dr Joe Kossowsky
Assistant Professor of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School; Director, Laboratory for Digital Assessment, Research, and Treatment (Dart Lab), Boston Children’s Hospital, USA

Fields of research: Paediatric pain; critical care; pain medicine; sleep medicine; clinical psychology; neuroscience; anaesthesia

Research project: Studying the risks for teenagers self-medicating with cannabis to manage chronic pain

Funders: US National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)

This work is/was supported by the NIH/NIDA, under award number K01DA057374. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

Website: research.childrenshospital.org/research-units/dart-lab-research

About paediatric pain research

Paediatric pain research is a field which looks to diagnose, manage and treat pain in adolescents, as well as to understand the impacts of health conditions on young people as they grow up. It falls within the larger category of anaesthetics – a medical field focused on pain management and pain relief.

Researchers in this field might work within community groups, schools, hospitals and laboratories. It is a collaborative field that involves a wide range of people working together to come up with the best solutions. “Paediatric pain research brings together psychologists, physicians, physical therapists, neuroscientists and data scientists, as well as experts in bioinformatics and digital health,” says Joe.

The interdisciplinary nature of the field makes it highly rewarding. “It is intellectually exciting to see how different perspectives fit together, and how we can work together to develop novel interventions and better understand why some teens develop persistent pain while others recover,” explains Joe. “At the same time, there are still many unanswered questions, both in how we assess paediatric pain and how we treat it effectively. The possibility that our research can directly inform better, more personalised interventions for teens with pain is incredibly meaningful.”

It is a very exciting time to enter paediatric pain research. “The next generation will have remarkable tools at their disposal,” says Joe. “Wearable technologies and biosensors are evolving at tremendous speed, making it possible to continuously monitor not just sleep and activity, but also physiological signals like heart rate variability and skin conductance that may reflect pain and stress in real time.”

Machine learning and AI are providing new ways to find patterns in these large datasets that would have been impossible to detect even a decade ago. “Together with advances in genomics and digital therapeutics, the field is moving toward more personalised and precise treatments for individual patients,” says Joe.

Pathway from school to paediatric pain research

Get a good grounding in biology, chemistry, physics and, if possible, psychology while in high school. Language skills are also important, as being able to communicate well with others is an important part of working as a paediatric pain researcher.

There are various ways to enter paediatric pain research, with degrees in psychology and neuroscience being common pathways. “Because paediatric pain is such a multidisciplinary field, many different subjects can be beneficial for a future career in pain research,” says Joe. “Some of these subjects include psychology, biology, medicine, neuroscience, occupational therapy, physical therapy, statistics and computer science.”

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree, you will need a master’s degree and PhD to work in research like Joe.

If you live in Boston or Massachusetts, Joe recommends applying for Harvard Medical School’s Project Success or the AP Biology Hinton Scholars Program.

Explore careers in paediatric pain research

“To get experience, explore summer research opportunities at children’s hospitals or university labs. Volunteering in a ‘child life programme’, which offers educational and emotional support to children and their families in paediatric hospitals, can provide a meaningful window into what patients and their families experience,” says Joe. The Boston Children hospital has internship programmes that Joe recommends.

To explore the field, have a look at the International Association for the Study of Pain, which has a Paediatric Special Interest Group. “The International Symposium for Paediatric Pain is also a very welcoming community,” Joe adds. The symposium is organised every two years, with the next event being in 2027.

“My Canadian colleagues have a wonderful programme, which is a great starting point for learning more about current thinking in pain research,” adds Joe.

Meet some of the DART Lab team

Nicole Tacugue
Study Coordinator

Fields of research: Paediatric pain research; clinical psychology

Growing up, I always enjoyed art and graphic design. Cultivating a creative mindset taught me to consider how people receive and understand information in different formats.

I majored in neuroscience and psychology in college, where I quickly became fascinated with the realm of sleep while working as a lab volunteer. As a graduate student, I participated in an internship programme with Dr Kossowsky’s lab.

A rewarding part of my work as Study Coordinator is explaining to young patients how their participation in our studies is helping to improve current knowledge and benefit others just like them. It’s especially rewarding to see all our team’s efforts culminate in publications and witness how participants’ contributions are reflected in the findings. The most challenging aspect of research is accepting that meaningful change isn’t immediate and takes time.

My proudest career achievements thus far are acting as first-author on my first publication and coordinating a workshop where I used my artistic background to teach students the importance of sleep in creative ways.

To switch off from the pressures of work, I intentionally spend my free time engaging in enjoyable activities that also reinforce my creative identity beyond the workplace. In the future, I aspire to attend medical school and apply what I’ve learnt in clinical research to improving patient care as a physician.

Nicole’s top tips

1. Always say yes to opportunities that interest you. Follow what excites you, even if those interests don’t seem to connect. Your experiences will come together to form a unique skill set that can benefit you in unexpected ways.

2. Do not be afraid to start something before you feel ready.

Dr Bridget Nestor
Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Field of research: Clinical psychology

When I was younger, I enjoyed my classes, but I didn’t find a subject area I was particularly excited about until taking an introduction to psychology in my first year of college.

My family always emphasised the importance of finding work that contributed positively to society. Being a clinical psychologist is intellectually stimulating and provides an opportunity to support others, whether through research, teaching or clinical practice. My dad is also a clinical psychologist, so he inspired me, too!

In our lab, I am involved in all aspects of our projects from formulating research questions to analysing data, to writing up our results for publication. We use digital technologies, like Fitbits, for objective assessments of sleep and physical activity. We also use smartphones for real-time data from teens in their daily lives.

Research can be difficult, tedious and slow-going, but knowing that our work may be helpful for teens with various psychological and physical health challenges is certainly rewarding. I also really enjoy mentoring junior students/lab members as they learn about the research process.

Having supportive relationships helps me maintain a healthy work/life balance. I feel extremely grateful to work with and learn from such smart and kind colleagues (Dr Joe Kossowsky, Dr Camila Koike and Nicole Tacugue) – they make any challenges all the more bearable.

I am proud of all the work we do together in our lab. I hope to continue our research, with particular focus on novel sleep interventions for teens with chronic pain, as I think these could lead to real clinical benefit.

Bridget’s top tip

Be curious and find supportive colleagues and mentors.

Do you have a question for Joe, Nicole or Bridget?
Write it in the comments box below and they will get back to you. (Remember, researchers are very busy people, so you may have to wait a few days.)

Learn about research in paediatric oncology:

futurumcareers.com/what-can-data-tell-us-about-the-long-term-effects-of-surviving-childhood-or-adolescent-cancer

By providing technology and learning programmes to under-resourced schools in South Africa, iSchoolAfrica Education Trust is empowering learners and teachers alike. Founder and Director Michelle Lissoos tells us how the organisation is working to ensure all learners can access meaningful, inclusive learning opportunities.

Download this resource

Every iSchoolAfrica programme includes educator support and mentoring. Programme champions are also appointed in each school. iSchoolAfrica builds educator confidence, competence and leadership in a digital world. Through structured training, ongoing coaching and classroom-based support, educators learn how to integrate technology meaningfully into the curriculum. Teachers are also awarded the global recognition of Apple Teacher. An ongoing support network of best practice is created.

Who are the iSchoolAfrica facilitators, and what support do they offer schools?

iSchoolAfrica Facilitators are trained specialists in education technology integration. They work on the ground at each school, where an iSchoolAfrica programme is implemented. They support and mentor the educators to ensure confidence and independence.

What collaborations make iSchoolAfrica’s work possible?

Partnerships and collaboration are key to iSchoolAfrica’s success and sustainability. Our work is made possible through a wide range of partnerships with private companies, non-government organisations (NGOs), foundations and community organisations. And, of course, central to all our programmes is the commitment of school leaders, educators and learners.

What impact has iSchoolAfrica had so far?

Since its formation in 2009, iSchoolAfrica has had a significant and measurable impact on South Africa’s education landscape. Over 340 schools have participated in iSchoolAfrica’s programmes. Our initiative has impacted more than 120,000 learners from Early Childhood Development through Grade 12. Over 3,500 teachers have been trained to integrate technology and learner-centred practices effectively in the classroom.

What have been the highlights for you, personally?

I am very proud of the impact iSchoolAfrica has made. The highlights for me are always seeing the personal triumphs of our programme: a Grade 1 learner in a rural village gets access to personalised numeracy and literacy lessons; a child in hospital does not miss out on school learning; township teenagers make movies on issues that are important to them; a non-verbal learner with autism communicates for the first time; deaf youth become successful app developers; teachers thrive as they see their learners succeed – this is the everyday life of iSchoolAfrica.

What’s next for iSchoolAfrica?

iSchoolAfrica is always looking for ways to scale and strengthen partnerships for increased impact and reach. We look forward to new, innovative ways of increasing access to quality education. It will be exciting to see how AI will assist this.

ischoolafrica.com

x.com/iSchoolAfrica

 linkedin.com/company/iSchoolAfrica

 facebook.com/ischoolafrica

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtSLoyaxL1IlbB6FbrdhLZQ

Do you have a question for Michelle?

Read about how Scottish Teachers Advancing Computing Science (STACS) is advance computing science in Scotland:
www.futurumcareers.com/championing-computing-science

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect hundreds of millions of people every year. While antibiotics can clear the bacteria, some patients — especially children — are left with permanent kidney damage. Dr Juan de Dios Ruiz-Rosado, an immunologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the US, is studying how the immune system fights UTIs, aiming to develop new treatments that strengthen the body’s natural defences.

Dr Juan de Dios Ruiz-Rosado
Principal Investigator, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Kidney and Urinary Tract Research Center, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ohio State University, USA

Field of research: Renal immunology

Research project: Studying and manipulating the immune system to fight urinary tract infections

Funders: Research in the Ruiz-Rosado Lab is supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK; K01 DK128379) and the Clinical and Translational Intramural Funding Program (IFPAWRI052023) at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, USA. Inicure (Sweden) generously provided newly discovered NADPH oxidase activators.

About renal immunology

Renal immunology is the study of how the immune system works within the kidneys. It sits at the intersection of immunology, nephrology (the study of kidneys), microbiology and infectious disease research, exploring how immune cells protect the kidneys from infection and prevent damage to this vital organ. Because the kidneys have a unique environment — with high sodium and urea levels, tightly controlled metabolism, and regions of low oxygen — immune cells behave differently in the kidneys compared to other parts of the body. “This is an exciting field because we still know relatively little about how immune cells behave within the unique environment of the kidneys,” says Juan. “Immune cells do not function in isolation — they constantly respond to signals from the tissues around them.”

Renal immunology is important not only for acute pyelonephritis, but also for conditions such as autoimmune diseases (when the immune system attacks healthy cells), diabetic kidney disease, acute kidney injury and kidney transplant rejection. In all these conditions, inflammation can lead to long-term loss of kidney function. “For these reasons, renal immunology is not only essential for understanding infections, but also for advancing treatments across a broad range of kidney diseases that affect millions of people worldwide,” explains Juan.

According to Juan, one of the greatest rewards of working in renal immunology is knowing that the research addresses a major and meaningful health problem. UTIs account for millions of healthcare visits and many hospitalisations each year, placing a medical, economic and emotional burden on patients and families. “Contributing even a small piece to a better understanding of disease — and helping advance how we prevent or treat it — is one of the most meaningful aspects of this work,” says Juan.

Like many fast-moving scientific fields, renal immunology also comes with challenges, such as keeping up with the rapidly expanding body of research. “Staying current is essential to avoid duplicating prior work and to identify new directions,” says Juan, who makes continuous learning a priority in his lab. “Young scientists should be curious and persistent, and pursue bold, innovative ideas in this field, which is both challenging and deeply rewarding.”

Pathway from school to renal immunology

“To pursue renal immunology, students should build a strong foundation in biology, chemistry and creative writing during high school,” says Juan. “Courses in statistics and basic programming are also increasingly valuable.”

“At the university level, I recommend courses in immunology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, anatomy, and infectious diseases,” says Juan. “Also, courses in creative or scientific writing help with publishing papers and applying for fellowships.”

Laboratory placements, summer research programmes and internships will allow you to develop practical skills and learn how scientific studies are designed and conducted. Early research experience can also help you identify your interests and build confidence.

Explore careers in renal immunology

According to Juan, professional societies are a great place to start. Organisations such as the American Association of Immunologists, the American Society of Nephrology and the American Society for Microbiology offer webinars, conferences and networking opportunities for students interested in immunology and kidney research.

Textbooks such as Basic Immunology and Cellular and Molecular Immunology by Abbas, Lichtman and Pillai are widely used in medical and graduate training and provide a strong foundation in immune system biology.

Online learning platforms can help build knowledge and skills. Courses from the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences and classes on Coursera cover topics such as immunology, microbiology and data analysis. Educational YouTube channels like Khan Academy, Osmosis and eLife can also help you learn about complex concepts.

Meet the team

Israel Cotzomi-Ortega
Research Scientist

I believe that the people who surround us gradually shape our interests. I was fortunate to have inspiring teachers throughout my education, and they awakened in me a passion for asking questions and searching for answers. I see myself as a simple person, drawn to simple questions: Why are leaves green? Why is blood red? What happens inside our bodies when we fall ill? Yet, what appears simple often conceals great complexity, and I believe it is our responsibility to understand that complexity and transform it into knowledge that serves humanity.

I have had the opportunity to work in several research labs and across different scientific fields. These experiences have allowed me to acquire and apply a wide range of research techniques to address our current scientific questions. Another key element of a successful career is collaboration and teamwork. Today, science is marked by advances so large and complex that they would take a single person or research group an extraordinary amount of time to achieve alone.

Exploring new paths within the vast world of knowledge is both a privilege and a responsibility. In our field, many research questions arise, and after analysing what is already known, we design experimental strategies to address them. But the process does not end there: we must also analyse and interpret the results to propose new knowledge, which is then examined by the broader scientific community.

Israel’s top tip

Empathy is important in the fields of science and medicine. It is fascinating to seek answers in a universe waiting to be discovered and understood for the benefit of all living beings.

Yuriko I. Sanchez-Zamora
Postdoctoral Scientist

In school, I really liked biology, chemistry and math. At first, I wanted to study medicine and help people, particularly those affected by cancer. In my free time, I used to do simple experiments at home, and I even dreamed of studying whales and running a lab on a boat. That curiosity and excitement about discovery ultimately led me into the world of research.

I think a big part of my success comes from being genuinely passionate about research and naturally curious. Over the years, I’ve learned how to stay organised, multitask and troubleshoot when experiments don’t go as planned, which happens a lot in science.

I love that my job doesn’t really feel like a job. I feel like I get paid to do my hobby. I’m fascinated by discovering how every cell has a very specific role, almost like it has a backup plan for every challenge it faces.

Yuriko’s top tip

Don’t get too distracted — there’s time for everything, but you need to stay focused.

Gamaliel Sanchez-Orellana
Senior Research Associate

As a teenager, I was interested in scientific topics and figuring out how things work, but I was equally drawn to computers and technology. I remember taking apart and reassembling my PC when I was around 10 — I enjoyed problem-solving and spending time learning how systems functioned.

Later on, I realised that I didn’t have to choose between these interests. Discovering bioinformatics allowed me to combine my interest in biology with computational tools and programming, which ultimately shaped my decision to pursue this career path.

Attention to detail, persistence and a strong curiosity for science have played an important role in my career. Research often involves working through complex data and unexpected results, and being patient and thorough has been essential. My training in bioinformatics and hands-on research experience have helped me approach challenging questions in renal immunology with a critical and analytical mindset.

I enjoy knowing that my work contributes to a clear and meaningful goal. My goal is to understand and ultimately improve the outcome of urinary tract infections. This purpose motivates me to keep improving my skills.

Gamaliel’s top tip

If you find an area that genuinely interests you, pursue it and don’t be afraid to invest time in learning and improving.

yDo you have a question for Juan, Israel, Yuriko or Gamaliel?
Write it in the comments box below and the will get back to you. (Remember, researchers are very busy people, so you may have to wait a few days.)

Discover more about how our body protects us from infection:

futurumcareers.com/breath-by-breath-how-t-cells-protect-our-lungs-from-infection