Biological Sciences Postdocs Shine at College of Science Lightning Talk Competition
Two Postdoctoral Research Associates from the Department of Biological Sciences earned top honors at the recent College of Science Lightning Talk Competition at the University of Notre Dame. Paulo Martins Sobrinho from the Rohr Lab and Ravi Dhiman from the Lu Lab took first and third place, respectively, for their engaging presentations that transformed complex research into stories anyone could understand.
1st Place: Paulo Martins Sobrinho — “Biodiversity in a Changing World: From Populations to People”
Paulo Martins Sobrinho, Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Rohr Lab, captivated the judges with his talk on how species and humans are being reshaped by the current biodiversity crisis.
“The story of life on Earth has always been about survival,” he began, “but this time, the challenge is human-caused.” Paulo’s research traces how species like North American birds are shifting their ranges to cooler regions, while others, such as grassland birds, are rapidly declining. These shifts destabilize ecosystems, replacing sensitive species with more adaptable ones and altering the delicate balance that supports life.
“Protecting biodiversity isn’t just about saving birds, fish, or forests, although I think that’s amazing —it’s also about saving our future,” Paulo said.
His message was both urgent and optimistic: “Although extinctions have always been part of Earth’s story, this one is human-caused and human-solvable.”
3rd Place: Ravi Dhiman — “Recharging Cells: Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy for Friedreich’s Ataxia”
In a talk that brought molecular biology to life, Ravi Dhiman, Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Lu Lab, explained his work on Friedreich’s Ataxia, a rare genetic disease that damages the body’s energy-producing machinery.
“Imagine every cell in your body is like a tiny city. And just like a city needs electricity, cells need energy. That energy comes from little power plants inside each cell, called mitochondria,” Ravi said. “In Friedreich’s Ataxia, those power plants start breaking down.” A single DNA typo in the FXN gene prevents the production of frataxin, a protein essential for mitochondria to function properly. Without it, iron builds up, producing harmful pollutants and starving cells of energy. This shortage affects the brain, spinal cord, heart, and muscles, leading to muscle weakness, loss of coordination, and heart complications.
Ravi’s presentation explored Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT), an emerging approach that could one day allow scientists to replace damaged mitochondria with healthy ones, restoring the cell’s power supply.
“It is a bold idea, but for more than fifteen thousand patients and families, it represents hope that the city’s lights will stay on,” Ravi said. “This is not science fiction. It is science in the making.”
Celebrating Research that Inspires
The Lightning Talk Competition challenges researchers to communicate their work clearly and creatively in just three minutes. Both Paulo and Ravi demonstrated how great science can inform, inspire, and connect with people beyond the lab. Their success highlights the depth of innovation within the Department of Biological Sciences and its ongoing commitment to addressing global challenges through cutting-edge research.
Originally published by at biology.nd.edu on October 19, 2025.