'Stylish Scientists' is a weekly series that brings you an exclusive peek at women in science and their style.
The motto of the 'Stylish Scientist' is: "Always look chic while making a discovery!"
Let me introduce you to Andreia Lee - a very stylish scientist from Columbia University. Add to this sweet personality, beautiful smile, big scientist's brain - and there you have a killer combination. Our photo shoot took place early in the morning. We wanted to take pictures inside the tissue culture room where cells are grown but, I guess, the doors were still sleepy and we couldn't open them. Oh well, we found plenty of interesting spots next to chemicals, lab coats and other usual lab stuff.
Let's get back to fashion though! Andreia's cool downtown style is adored by lots of Columbia's ladies. How does she do it? I don't know because Andreia hates shopping but the sense of style is key here. Just read the interview below and take notes, ladies!
At what stage of science education are you?
4th year in biological sciences PhD
Tell us about your research, inspiration
and motivation in science
I am currently working on a protein, TRIM28, which
was found to repress the expression of certain viruses in embryonic stem cells.
I want to know how this protein is regulated and why it represses viruses in
embryonic stem cells but not in differentiated cell types. My inspiration and
motivation is curiosity driven. When the curiosity is no longer there, then
it’s time to move on to a new question.
Your
earliest fashion memory
My parents had
a women’s clothing wholesale business in Sao Paulo and continued it in Los
Angeles when we moved to the States. When my sisters and I visited my parents’
store, we would take home all their extra fabric or free samples that would
otherwise be thrown away,and we would wrap ourselves with these fabrics and
pretend they were evening dresses, togas, priests/nuns robes, or whatever else
was in our imagination… we were really into it.
Who
influenced your style and do you have any style icons?
My mom. Since
she was in the business of women’s clothing, she’d have very high standards for
quality. The stitching, the fit, the cut, the material, everything was very
meticulously analyzed in the dressing room before it gained her mark of
approval. The outcome is that I hated shopping with her, but I also formed a
habit of buying very few good quality items and wearing them to
death.Otherwise, many people/things/experiences influence my style, but I can’t
say I have any style icons that readily come to mind. If I appreciate someone’s
aura or spirit, then I’ll try to take that with me, but I move on quite quickly
after that.
How did the
places where you lived influence your style choices?
California influenced me to value comfort and
New York influenced me to be bolder.
Your favorite
brands and places to shop
I admire Isabel Marant and Carven
right now, but I don’t own a single item from either brand. I love seeing
beautiful/creative designs more than wearing it (and it’s also way expensive!).
I have no loyalty to brands that I wear, and it’s because brands need to be
somewhat consistent in a type of style, so I’ll get bored of it quickly. I
rarely stick with a brand long enough to own more than two pieces of clothing
from it. As for shopping, I hate shopping, actually, and I never know where to
shop. It’s such a time-consuming process, and the New York shopping scene
overwhelms me. But I love the excitement of finding something that I love. Can
you tell me where to shop??
I am currently wearing a Madewell
sweater and Won Hundred jeans.
Your
everyday science uniform
Winter: Jeans,
a comfy sweater, and boots.
Summer: shorts,
a boyish tee, and flats
What
do you think about dressing nicely while doing experiments?
I used to be self-conscious
about dressing too nicely to lab. I worried about not being taken seriously but
my concerns were mostly driven by my own insecurities. I still value dressing
practically in lab, but at some point, I stopped paying attention to how I am perceived…
to each his/her own.
Any
thoughts about how the general public perceives scientists and their appearance?
I suppose
people may stereotype scientists as being plain, or dorky? Even that stereotype
seems outdated now. I haven’t experienced any harm from these stereotypes, so I
don’t have many thoughts on this topic. It is what it is.
What
are your favorite spots in NYC?
Riverside park
because I live right next to it, walking/running along the Hudson, tennis at 96th
street and Riverside, and my apt with my husband. As for food, I love Takashi
Grill for the Kalbi, Cha-An for lunch, Pisticci’s for an easy neighborhood spot,
Oasis Juice bar, Absolute Bagels, Taim for cheap middle eastern, Casa for
Brazilian, Gulluoglu for baklava, the Ides for great views of NYC, and Sushi
Yasaka for my regular sushi spot.
Your hobby
Metalsmithing!
Photos are taken and edited by me
