Ana (1979), Portugal
Ph.D. Researcher in Viro-Immunology
38 hours per week
From vet to immunologist
I studied Veterinary Medicine for 5 ½ years in the Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria in Lisbon, Portugal. As I enjoyed studying Infectious Diseases and Immunology, I decided to do the MSc Immunity and Infection at the University of Utrecht. I graduated in February 2007. I’m now doing a Ph.D. in Viro-Immunology at the UMC Utrecht. We are looking into the role of certain MHC class I molecules in mediating immunodominant and/or protective immune responses against viral infections. We will use blood samples of healthy donors that are carriers of EBV and CMV and samples collected for studies on HIV and HCV for our study of antiviral cytotoxic T cell responses, the effects of chronic infections, etc.
Integration and interaction
What most excites me about UMC Utrecht is the broad variety of research areas that are being investigated and the interaction between diverse groups working on complementary themes. I think a big effort is being made to integrate the contributions of various research lines. That makes this environment very challenging and useful for a person like me, at the start of a research career. The communication between scientists and medical doctors also means more applied research and I must say that the facilities are very good.
From Holland to Portugal
I am feeling progressively more comfortable here. I enjoy my work and my colleagues. All the group leaders are very enthusiastic about the research they do and are always willing to share their knowledge and make suggestions. I would like to go back to Portugal eventually, but I may stay longer in the Netherlands. I hope to learn a lot from the many experts at the UMC, both in terms of technical and theoretical knowledge and critical, analytical thinking. Maybe eventually some connection can be established between research groups in Portugal and here. Research in Portugal would certainly benefit from the expertise and the facilities available at the UMC Utrecht.