Dear Briana, Thanks so much for your very kind words. It is extremely gratifying to think that ChimeraX might in some small way inspire and encourage young people such as yourself to pursue a career in science. It would be great if you could visit the lab. Thursday would be best since the entire team will be on campus. I will send you a separate mail to try to work out the details. --Eric Eric Pettersen UCSF Computer Graphics Lab
On Aug 24, 2026, at 10:32 PM, Briana Salisteanu via ChimeraX-users <chimerax-users@cgl.ucsf.edu> wrote:
Hello! I hope this e-mail finds you well ! :) Before you read this e-mail, no need to worry ; there were no issues or errors of the program I need help with ! My name is Briana and I am a 21 year old third year pharmacy student.
I am writing you to thank you for the development of ChimeraX.This is the program that introduced me to the world of bioinformatics and molecular visualization.I come from Romania, from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” of Bucharest.
I was not aware of the existence of such program.When my physiology professor (who is very much into programs of this kind and the continuous development of the bioinformatics domain) sat me down at the little laboratory’s computer and told me all about Chimera, I was fascinated.I remember exclaiming : “I can do this ?! There’s more to science than the typical lab life I’ve known for so long? More than the microscope..? “ .We were getting ready to start working on an article (that we are still in progress with, and my first article I get to write for ! ) for his post-doctorate.
The first protein I worked with was ZLO4.
This encounter I had with the digital world of science was the key to me discovering my passion for coding and much more.I decided to work harder.I started searching different master degrees across California that would fit my criteria for my dream job: a bioinformatician working in astropharmacy.I am currently studying how to use R and I’m making progress in Python everyday ! I work pretty well in YASARA and IGV too. This September I will start slow but steady to work on my bachelor’s thesis about Neuro-Endocrine Physiology and Microgravitational Adaptation in Female Astronauts.I believe strongly in the need for research and development in women’s healthcare.I will of course use Chimera X in my future work.You will make it possible for a girl from a small town in Eastern Europe to make a step forward into the big and sometimes scary world of STEM.You gave this girl a different perspective on the scientific world that she knew.
I am currently in San Jose, CA visiting my parents.It’s Monday 24 August.Last Friday I came to San Francisco in the hope of meeting the team behind Chimera ! Unfortunately, no one was there and I was in the afternoon.I was so nervous and full of emotions , my eyes got watery haha ! For me it was the equivalent of going to the place where DaVinci painted the Mona Lisa ! : ) I will be here until Saturday night.My flight back to Romania is this Sunday sadly.I know you are very busy, but I’d like to get to thank you in person for your contribution to the scientific society.
With respect, hope for the future and love, S. Briana-Maria.
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