Alex Ilic

Title: Research assistant in the laboratory of Nora Sarvetnick.

Duties: Production of monoclonal anitbodies, protein purification, general lab support.

Favorite Part of Job: "The atmosphere in Dr. Sarvetnick's lab is very dynamic. I like interacting with other people in the lab, who come from all over the world. I also like the responsibility. Dr. Sarvetnick trusts us. She gives research assistants real responsibility. We contribute more than just the data we produce."

Started at TSRI: 1997.

Background: Bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Work in the biotech sector.

Career Goals: "I'd like to continue in research. I've applied to UCSD's new pharmacy school. If I get in, I hope to continue to work at TSRI part time while I complete my degree."

Biggest Challenge: Commuting to TSRI from his home in Carlsbad. "But the job is worth it. And I have time to think when I'm stuck in traffic."

Extracurriculars: Surfing, golfing, snow skiing, hiking, fishing—and fly tying, a long-standing passion. "Fly tying materials—fur, feather, line—take up a whole room in my house." The attraction? The mental challenge of trying to imitate nature, the joy of learning about insects and fish, the satisfaction of working with his hands. "Last year, I started fly fishing on the ocean. The concept is the same, but the scale is much bigger."

Upcoming Events: Ilic will demonstrate fly tying and show his flies at the TSRI Fall Craft Fair, on Thursday, December 6 in the Immunology Galleria.

 

 


Research Assistant Alex Ilic enjoys working in the "dynamic" atmosphere of the Sarvetnick lab. Photo by Mika Ono.