ACDC: What’s in the name?
Having a distinct name like Eleftherios gives you a lot of advantages. People never ask you to spell your name, and they remember it without much trouble.
Ha! If only!

When I make restaurant reservations, I simplify things by going with the name Elvis. Nobody has ever asked me to spell it, and I get a smile in return. When people ask me for the name of my research laboratory, I reply, “the ACDC lab.”
The usual response is, “I’ve heard that name before. Is it a band from the ’70s?”
But of course it is. And the follow-up question is always, “Does your lab’s name have anything to do with the band?”
Well, it does and it doesn’t. The name was chosen many years ago for two reasons: to celebrate one of my all-time favorite rock bands, AC/DC, and to outline the scope of my research laboratory – ACDC stands for Advanced Centre for Detection of Cancer.
I have tried repeatedly to reach out to AC/DC and let them know about the research laboratory that shares their name and is devoted to fighting cancer, but with no success. In fact, not only is the lab named after them, but to celebrate the music of AC/DC, we formed a rock band within the lab with me representing Angus Young (lead guitarist and music composer) and my graduate students playing the other members. We created a poster and shot a video of the AC/DC song “ Chase the Ace.”
Until recently, I thought naming a research lab after a rock band was rather unique. That changed when, in 2014, I met my friend and fellow physician and scientist Steven Boyages from Australia. Boyages revealed that he’d created a digital communications company and named it “Red Zeppelin” to celebrate the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin. The name is meant to connote inspiration, and capture the imagination and innovation of the band.
Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?
Become a member to receive the print edition monthly and the digital edition weekly.
Learn moreGet the latest from ASBMB Today
Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.
Latest in Opinions
Opinions highlights or most popular articles

The inside scoop on NSF fellowships
National Science Foundation program directors share how grad students and postdocs can secure coveted funds.

A chapter builds connections
The ASBMB helped Lauryn Ridley build a community among her peers: “It’s outside the classroom, and you can be free to relate to other people who are going through the same things that you’re going through.”

Community Day broadens impact of DiscoverBMB
The ASBMB Science Outreach and Communication Committee is organizing its second annual event to inspire local high school students — this time in San Antonio.

How public policy work amplifies our impact
ASBMB Today contributor Oluwadamilola “Dami” Oke describes her journey to advocacy and shares thoughts from a mentor who guided her.

Addressing disparities in research and beyond
ASBMB Maximizing Access Committee member Stephen D. Williams is a postdoc who hopes to take his concerns about health care equity into a career in industry.

Being neurodivergent in academia: Nothing wrong with me
An assistant professor and group leader explains how being diagnosed with autism in her early 40s changed her approach to being a scientist.