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Postdoc Profile: Q&A with Helen Horkan, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Gibson Lab

“The sky is the limit at the Stowers Institute. If you have an idea, there is always somebody willing to help you make it happen.”

17 March 2025

What is your current research focus and why?

I am interested in understanding the paths cells take during differentiation in highly regenerative organisms. I aim to establish the starlet sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis, as a better research organism for studying stem cell biology. By understanding the diversity in stem cell potential in cnidarians, we might be able to uncover similar cells in humans. This will allow us to manipulate these cells in the context of a whole organism, shedding light on how animals regenerate. I hope that we may then be able to draw comparisons between regenerative and non-regenerative animals and answer long-standing fundamental questions such as why, after injury, ‘simple’ organisms can regenerate and ‘complex’ organisms, such as humans, cannot.

Growing up, what career did you want to pursue?

Ever since I was a child growing up in Manchester, UK, I was interested in how the world worked and I knew scientists were the people who provided answers to these questions. However, I didn’t think that I could be a scientist, because I didn’t know anybody who actually was one! Honestly, I thought saying, “I want to be scientist,” was like saying, “I want to be a singer, or a princess, or an Olympian.” I always thought of it as a dream, not a realistic career.

Horkan snowboarding in Sauze d’Olux, Italy, 2024

When and how did you become interested in a career in science?

My high school physics teacher, Miss Byrne, was the first person I met who was truly passionate about science and was extremely engaging. This was the first time I thought it might be possible to be a scientist. From then on, I threw myself into science and found I had a specific interest in genetics that led me to my current career.

What made you decide to join the Gibson Lab at the Stowers Institute?

During my Ph.D. in the lab of Uri Frank, Ph.D., at the University of Galway, I worked with the organism, Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus, which is a member of the cnidarian phylum. The Gibson Lab also works on cnidarians, including corals and sea anemones, and the community of cnidarian biologists is very tightly knit. I met a number of people from the lab over the years and they all spoke highly of the Gibson Lab and the Stowers Institute. When I was nearing the end of my Ph.D., I did some more research and realized the Gibson Lab provided a unique opportunity to further research cnidarians and probe fundamental biological questions – at a place that has incredible Technology Centers, a spirit of collaboration, and a supportive postdoc program.

What is your favorite non-research related memory at the Stowers Institute so far?

I love all the conversations that happen after Friday Science Club. You can tell just how much we all love science, and you get to discuss projects that are completely “out there” with other people who are actually up for trying it! The sky is the limit at the Stowers Institute. If you have an idea, there is always somebody willing to help you make it happen.

Horkan refereeing the European Roller Derby Playoffs 2024 Credit: Thomas Pihl

What is your favorite thing to do in Kansas City?

I referee roller derby, and one of my key considerations for relocating for my postdoc was being able to continue this. As soon as I arrived in Kansas City, I joined the Kansas City Roller Warriors, and I love going to weekly training and refereeing their games. We’ve even gone to games for our postdoc outings so other members of the Institute can support the team.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Ideally, I would love to be running my own research lab in Europe.

What advice do you have for other people curious about a career in science?

I would say that the most important thing to do is to stick with it. In my opinion, the most successful scientists are not always the people with the best grades, the people with the brightest ideas, or even the people with the most experience. The most successful scientists are the most determined. A career in science is hard at times, but if you stay passionate and keep pushing forward, you will produce good-quality research. And, if you need help, ask! As Sir Isaac Newton said, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” From my perspective, science is one huge, intercontinental, centuries-spanning collaboration.