249 ‒ How the brain works, Andrew’s fascinating backstory, improving scientific literacy, and more

Lab Experiences

Andrew Huberman shares his experiences working in various research labs, highlighting the challenges and lessons learned. He recounts a particularly difficult interaction with a colleague in Boston, which led him to leave the lab before even starting. This decision was reinforced by his mentor, Ben Barris, who encouraged him to stay true to his passion for science rather than being driven purely by ambition 1 2.

Ben just loved what he loved so much that when he started working on glia, everyone thought glia were stupid. It's like support cells. Why would you do that? And he showed they're important for everything, disease in particular, but also normal brain functioning and development.

--- Andrew Huberman

Andrew's commitment to his values and passion for biology guided his career decisions and helped him navigate the complexities of lab environments.

   

Scientific Discoveries

Andrew's scientific journey is marked by significant discoveries and breakthroughs. He describes his time at UC San Diego, where his lab flourished, and the transition back to Stanford, which was both a professional and emotional challenge. The loss of his mentor, Ben Barris, to pancreatic cancer was a profound moment that deeply affected him 3 4.

From the moment I land at Stanford, I'm watching my third advisor die. And at that point, I was like, okay. Ben. And I used to joke. He's MD. Morbid sense of humor. He called me Andy. Andy, you're the common denominator. So the joke is you don't want me to work for you, right?

--- Andrew Huberman

Despite these challenges, Andrew's dedication to his research and his ability to overcome personal and professional obstacles have been key to his success.