Meeting with Túlio Almeida
My scientific background
Since my undergraduate course, I have been passionate about the importance of the scientific method in producing new knowledge. This led me to look for opportunities to work with research, which made me delve into clinical research questions, from technical research to fundamental research. These experiences and the desire to answer exciting scientific questions led me to pursue an academic career and a Ph.D. degree.
What attracts me to the Pre-Doc experience
I believe that the Pre-Doc is an opportunity to learn more about different topics and the integration of interdisciplinarity in different labs. It is known that the Ph.D. process is very challenging, and certainly the experiences developed during the Pre-Doc will be essential for the development of soft and hard skills necessary for the process. Additionally, during this phase, I hope to cultivate a support network with other students and mentors that I can take with me throughout my career.
Contact: tulio.almeida@edu.isd.org.br
Rotations:
- Project title “Leveraging machine learning and neural field modeling to understand the role of REM sleep in emotional memory consolidation and homeostasis”
Supervisors Gabrielle Girardeau (IFM) & Wilten Nicola (University of Calgary)
- Project title “Regulation of gene expression coupled to cell growth and division in bacterial adaption processes”
Supervisors Bianca Sclavi (Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology, IBPS) & Marco Cosentino Lagomarsino (IFOM foundation, University of Milan)
- Project title “Dissecting how excitable ependymal cells participate to locomotor rhythms using an all-optical approach”
Supervisors Jean-Marie Mangin (Neurosciences Paris Seine, IBPS) & Georges Debregeas (Laboratory Jean Perrin, IBPS)
Meeting with Roberto Netti
My scientific background
My background is mainly physics and mathematics, but in particular I have delved into subjects such as biophysics and statistical physics. I am particularly attracted to computer science, machine learning and everything related to their application. Moreover, I believe that biology is one of the most fascinating fields, full of open questions and where approaches based on computer science and theoretical modeling are crucial to analyze the amount of data available today.
What attracts me to the Pre-Doc experience
I see the Pre-Doc as an opportunity to gain experience in a variety of research topics before starting the Ph.D., particularly in subjects such as biology, which I do not know deeply but am very interested in. Second, I am attracted to the interdisciplinary nature of scientific research and the three rotational projects, combining approaches from different fields, are entirely designed based on this concept. Third, the chance to interact with two co-supervisors with diverse backgrounds and the opportunity to have exchanges with different laboratories and research groups will be crucial to my scientific and personal growth.
Contact: roberto.netti@sorbonne-universite.fr
Rotations:
- Project title “Reconstruction of complex mutational events following adaptation to DNA damage”
Supervisor Zhou Xu (Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology, IBPS) & Juliana Silva Bernades (Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology, IBPS) - Project title “Unveiling sequence signatures of protein specificity”
Supervisors Martin Weigt (Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology, IBPS) & Olivier Tenaillon (IAME, Faculté de Médecine Université Paris) - Project title “Alternative splicing-inspired protein design” Supervisors Élodie Laine (Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology, IBPS) & Sergei Grudinin (LJK, Université Grenoble Alpes)
Meeting with Brenda Nieto Rivera
My scientific background
During my previous studies I was able to work together with physicists, chemists and physicians, which made me realize that the best way to solve scientific problems is through interdisciplinary research. As a molecular biologist I’m especially passionate about elucidating how the physical changes trigger responses at the cellular and molecular level, as well I’m excited by the possibility of finding a better understanding of life processes so that is why I have decided to pursue a scientific career.
What attracts me to the Pre-Doc experience
The pre-doc represents an opportunity to get deeper knowledge that allows me to strengthen my experimental skills, which will be essential during my doctoral studies.In addition, having the possibility of rotating through three laboratories and learning from researchers with different backgrounds will provide me with new perspectives as well as gain confidence and enrich my knowledge in fields such as biophysics, mechanobiology, microbiology and developmental biology that are fascinating and fundamental for the understanding of many challenging and interesting biological processes.
Contact: bren.nieto95@gmail.com
Rotations:
- Project title “Study of the physicochemical signals regulating primary hepatocytes polarization and function inside in vitro culture”
Supervisors Mathieu Hautefeuille (Developmental Biology Laboratory, IBPS) & Genaro Vázquez-Victorio (Faculty de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) - Project title “Rigidity sensing in bacteria via ubiquitous type 4 pili”
Supervisors Nicolas Biais (Laboratory Jean Perrin, IBPS) & Vladimir Pelicic (Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, Aix-Marseille University) - Project title “Linking intermediate filaments dynamics to glial shape and functions” Supervisors Pierre-Luc Bardet (Developmental Biology Laboratory, IBPS) & Cécile Leduc (Institut Jacques Monod)
Meeting with Olga Vasiljević
My scientific background
From an early age, I had many questions about the world around me that I wanted to figure out, which eventually directed me to the Faculty of physical chemistry. While doing my bachelor’s and master’s thesis in the field of biophysics, I was investigating the physicochemical properties and behavior of new target and controlled drug delivery systems in vitro. I’ve interacted with lots of researchers, which led me to great scientific discussions and a desire to be a part of that world one day.
What attracts me to the Pre-Doc experience
The opportunity to work on three distinct interdisciplinary projects in the pre-doctoral year that encompasses development of the nervous system, soft matter, microbiology, Raman spectroscopy, and connective tissue mechanics is really exciting for me! It will enable me to work in different teams and laboratories. I will broaden my knowledge and gain valuable laboratory skills. During this process, I will develop new perspectives and hopefully become better at solving scientific problems. In the end, I will be able to continue the most suitable project for me as my PhD, already well prepared and ready to dive in.
Contact: oglavasiljevic@gmail.com
Rotations:
- Project title “Multispecies bacterial biofilm assembly from the single cell to the extracellular matrix level viaRaman microspectroscopy”
Supervisors Nelly Henry (Laboratory Jean Perrin, IBPS) & Hilton Arbosa de Aguiar (LKB, ENS)
- Project title “Using engineered oil droplets to map compression and traction forces in a developing neuronal circuit”
Supervisors Lea-Laetitia Pontani (Laboratory Jean Perrin, IBPS) & Marie Breau (Developmental Biology Laboratory, IBPS)
- Project title “How mesenchymal stem cells build their home: control of mechanical properties of connective tissues by active and passive forces”
Supervisors Jonathan Fouchard (Developmental Biology Laboratory, IBPS) & Jocelyn Etienne (LiPhy, University Grenoble Alpes)