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13 February 2020
Where do you live and with whom?
I live alone in a tiny cozy studio in Bottendaal, Nijmegen.
When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? Can you tell us something about your child years.
When I was a kid I wanted to be a veterinary and occasionally an archelogy in Egypt or Peru. During my childhood I loved biking around the lake of my home town and get lost into the woods. I enjoyed our Saturday night tradition: homemade pizza while watching a movie. I grew up with the company of my twin sister and wandering around the bookshop of my mom.
What was your previous academic training, where did you study and why did you choose that study/those studies?
I studied Biotechnology in the University Autonoma of Barcelona. Funny fact, I chose Biotechnology as a first option thinking I wouldn’t get in, and as a second options Medicine (to become a Psychiatrist) and Biology. Surprisingly, I got accepted into Biotechnology, which I liked because I am a pragmatic woman. Moreover, it allowed me to leave my hometown and live independently in Barcelona. Since I have always been fascinated by the brain, after a 2 years break, I did a Master in Medical Neuroscience in the Charité-Universitätsmedizin in Berlin.
Of which of your research discoveries, you are most proud of?
I wouldn’t said I have done a big discovery to feel super proud about but I am happy to have contributed in the current scientific knowledge in the medical field.
What is your most important scientific challenge in the coming 5 years?
That’s a difficult question. I finish the PhD in 2 months and I don’t have a plan for my next step. It could be everything! But I would like to make science more reachable and understandable for the whole population.
If you could choose any mentor, who would this be?
I do not have an answer to this question. A good mentor is someone who not only supports you and believe in your project, but also someone you feel comfortable with.
What is your favorite topic: molecules - patients - population?
Not easy to answer. I find molecules super interesting to discover the exact pathological mechanisms of a disease and how to overcome it. However, I am a social person and, working in a lab, I miss the direct contact with patients. Moreover, working close to the patients helps to see the whole picture of your research and how it impacts in both individuals and the society.
What should be changed / improved in the scientific community?
Despite the improvements in the last years, the scientific community still needs to improve: 1) it needs to be more accessible not only to scientists (open access) but also citizens (outreaching), 2) it needs to be more collaborative and 3) needs to value more the quality of the work done, than the number of publications; each research project has different complexities and needs more or less optimizations and, thus, time and money, which brings it to the 4 point that is funding. Lastly, sometimes I wonder if we scientists could do something to be more environmentally friendly.
Is there anything we can wake you up for in the middle of the night?
I don’t mind at all to be awaken if it’s for helping someone. If you have a good reason or need a hug, wake me up! 😊
What is the thing that irritates you most?
Selfish, respect less and intolerant persons. Also liars.
Who would you like to have dinner with, if you had the chance?
I believe everyone is interesting and have experiences and thoughts to learn something from. So I don’t have anyone in mind but someone honest who makes me think: “Wow, I’ve never seen it in that way.” Someone eye-opener.
How do you relax from the demanding job being a scientist?
I am quite active so I do plenty of activities that helps me to relax and enjoy. I do pole dance, yoga, partner acrobatics, salsa, bachata, lindy hop, kizomba, blues, fusion dance. Whatever dance you offer, I am down! I also love cooking, reading, watching movies, painting (but I am terrible at drawing!).
Obviously, I love meeting my friends at any time and travelling during weekends to really disconnect.
Do you have a tip for our most junior scientists?
Find a good life-work balance and don’t worry too much, everything will work out at the end.
• Please make a selection:
o Crisper-Cas9 or AI
o Pipette or Biostatistics
o RT-PCR or Proteomics
o Big data or Clinical trial
Please add a photo which represents a remarkable event or experience you were part of? Please explain.
This picture was taken in 2018 in San Cristóbal (Galápagos, Ecuador). I was talking with my sister when, suddenly, a seal came out of the sea and ran next to me. We stared at each other smiling. We had our moment!
Where do you live and with whom?
I live alone in a tiny cozy studio in Bottendaal, Nijmegen.
When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? Can you tell us something about your child years.
When I was a kid I wanted to be a veterinary and occasionally an archelogy in Egypt or Peru. During my childhood I loved biking around the lake of my home town and get lost into the woods. I enjoyed our Saturday night tradition: homemade pizza while watching a movie. I grew up with the company of my twin sister and wandering around the bookshop of my mom.
What was your previous academic training, where did you study and why did you choose that study/those studies?
I studied Biotechnology in the University Autonoma of Barcelona. Funny fact, I chose Biotechnology as a first option thinking I wouldn’t get in, and as a second options Medicine (to become a Psychiatrist) and Biology. Surprisingly, I got accepted into Biotechnology, which I liked because I am a pragmatic woman. Moreover, it allowed me to leave my hometown and live independently in Barcelona. Since I have always been fascinated by the brain, after a 2 years break, I did a Master in Medical Neuroscience in the Charité-Universitätsmedizin in Berlin.
Of which of your research discoveries, you are most proud of?
I wouldn’t said I have done a big discovery to feel super proud about but I am happy to have contributed in the current scientific knowledge in the medical field.
What is your most important scientific challenge in the coming 5 years?
That’s a difficult question. I finish the PhD in 2 months and I don’t have a plan for my next step. It could be everything! But I would like to make science more reachable and understandable for the whole population.
If you could choose any mentor, who would this be?
I do not have an answer to this question. A good mentor is someone who not only supports you and believe in your project, but also someone you feel comfortable with.
What is your favorite topic: molecules - patients - population?
Not easy to answer. I find molecules super interesting to discover the exact pathological mechanisms of a disease and how to overcome it. However, I am a social person and, working in a lab, I miss the direct contact with patients. Moreover, working close to the patients helps to see the whole picture of your research and how it impacts in both individuals and the society.
What should be changed / improved in the scientific community?
Despite the improvements in the last years, the scientific community still needs to improve: 1) it needs to be more accessible not only to scientists (open access) but also citizens (outreaching), 2) it needs to be more collaborative and 3) needs to value more the quality of the work done, than the number of publications; each research project has different complexities and needs more or less optimizations and, thus, time and money, which brings it to the 4 point that is funding. Lastly, sometimes I wonder if we scientists could do something to be more environmentally friendly.
Is there anything we can wake you up for in the middle of the night?
I don’t mind at all to be awaken if it’s for helping someone. If you have a good reason or need a hug, wake me up! 😊
What is the thing that irritates you most?
Selfish, respect less and intolerant persons. Also liars.
Who would you like to have dinner with, if you had the chance?
I believe everyone is interesting and have experiences and thoughts to learn something from. So I don’t have anyone in mind but someone honest who makes me think: “Wow, I’ve never seen it in that way.” Someone eye-opener.
How do you relax from the demanding job being a scientist?
I am quite active so I do plenty of activities that helps me to relax and enjoy. I do pole dance, yoga, partner acrobatics, salsa, bachata, lindy hop, kizomba, blues, fusion dance. Whatever dance you offer, I am down! I also love cooking, reading, watching movies, painting (but I am terrible at drawing!).
Obviously, I love meeting my friends at any time and travelling during weekends to really disconnect.
Do you have a tip for our most junior scientists?
Find a good life-work balance and don’t worry too much, everything will work out at the end.
• Please make a selection:
o Crisper-Cas9 or AI
o Pipette or Biostatistics
o RT-PCR or Proteomics
o Big data or Clinical trial
Please add a photo which represents a remarkable event or experience you were part of? Please explain.
This picture was taken in 2018 in San Cristóbal (Galápagos, Ecuador). I was talking with my sister when, suddenly, a seal came out of the sea and ran next to me. We stared at each other smiling. We had our moment!
