Running the Distance: Gabriel Alberts

This article is part of a series. Read the rest of the articles.

Today, we are happy to spotlight Gabriel Alberts, who is running for Team Eye and Ear.

As a graduate research student, Gabriel works with Sunil Puria, PhD, an Amelia Peabody Scientist at the Eaton-Peabody Laboratories at Mass Eye and Ear, studying how the cells inside our ears move around in order to help us hear.

Their research team uses light to measure cellular vibrations in mice and computational methods to model those vibrations with the goal of improving diagnoses and treatments for hearing loss.

Q: What inspired you to start running marathons?

This is my first and potentially last marathon, so I wanted to go big! The Boston Marathon certainly fits that bill, but it’s also forever tied to my work.

After the 2013 marathon bombings, Mass Eye and Ear clinicians worked day and night to tend to the countless runners, supporters, volunteers, and others affected by the blasts. I wanted to run a marathon for myself, but I wanted to run the Boston Marathon for hearing science and my colleagues at Mass Eye and Ear.

Q: How do you balance your research/work with marathon training?

It isn’t easy, but it’s a lot easier because of my wife. She has been encouraging especially when times get hard and has been a tremendous help making sure I eat well and rest. Team Eye and Ear has also been incredibly helpful by providing Coach Furey and Coach Tressler.

With their training programs and clinics, I was able to simply follow instructions and now feel prepared for race day. The real question is how to balance research, training, and fundraising!

Q: What lessons from marathon training apply to your work in research?

I have truly been surprised by how many lessons carry over from marathon training, but the most important to me has been that small gains add up.

A training program may total hundreds of miles over months, but it is built on many three and four-mile runs.

The same applies to research. After you formulate an idea and plan an experiment, it takes time to collect and analyze data before you see results. The key to success in both training and research is to make a well-thought-out plan and to execute that plan with consistency.