In Their Own Words: Interviews with Recent PhD Graduates
Welcome to our interview series, "In Their Own Words: Interviews with Recent PhD Graduates." Here, you will find a collection of insightful interviews with PhD graduates from various fields within stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, each sharing their personal experiences and perspectives on their academic journey.
From the challenges of conducting research to the joys of discovery, these interviews offer a unique glimpse into the world of academia and the pursuit of scientific knowledge.
Whether you are a current PhD student, considering pursuing a PhD, or simply interested in learning more about the academic world, we hope these interviews will inspire and inform you. So sit back, relax, and enjoy reading the stories of our recent PhD graduates, in their own words.
Stem Cell Therapy for Ischemic Stroke - A PhD Defense Interview with Raquel Martínez Curiel
Raquel's research focuses on using stem cell–derived brain cells to repair brain function after a stroke. Her work uses both animal models and human tissue to advance these therapies. In this interview, she shares her journey from Madrid to Lund and all that she has learned along the way.
Regenerative Performance and Immunogenicity of Engineered Extracellular Matrices - A PhD defense interview with Sujeethkumar Prithiviraj
Sujeethkumar Prithiviraj has been exploring how engineered extracellular matrices could offer a more effective, customizable solution for bone regeneration, and how the immune system influences their success. In this interview, he reflects on his key findings and his doctoral journey.
Decoding the RNA regulome governing cellular stress response and cell fate transitions - A PhD Defense Interview with Magdalena Madej
Magdalena spent her doctoral studies investigating how RNA-modifying enzymes, called pseudouridine synthases, influence cellular processes, and what happens when they go awry. In this interview, she shares her discoveries and the path that brought her to Lund.
How monocyte-derived macrophages and microglia shape the inflammatory environment of the brain: A PhD Defense Interview with Juliane Tampé
Juliane's research explores the role of monocytes and microglia in brain repair throughout life and in conditions like stroke and Gaucher's disease using patient-derived stem cell models. In this interview, she discusses her findings and inspiration for studying neuroimmunology.
Leveraging genome engineering and stem cells to study rare pediatric CNS disorders: A PhD Defense Interview with Oskar Zetterdahl
Oskar's work has centered around developing stem cell-based models to study rare central nervous system disorders. In this interview, he shares what he discovered, how he found his way into neuroscience, and his advice for those beginning their own Ph.D. journeys.
Dendritic Cell Reprogramming for Cancer Immunotherapy: A PhD Interview with Ervin Ascic
Ervin's research explores the use of a gene therapy to reprogram tumor cells into dendritic cells to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer. In this interview, he shares how this idea developed and a special message for his peers.
Dissecting Dopaminergic Neuron Specification at Single Cell Resolution: A PhD Interview with Edoardo Sozzi
Edoardo's research combines cell biology and bioinformatics to study the development of dopamine-producing neuron subtypes, aiming to improve future cell replacement therapies for Parkinson's disease. In this interview, he discusses key moments from his scientific journey.
Deciphering Age-Related Decline in Neurogenesis: A Ph.D. Interview with Jonas Fritze
Jonas' research explores how inflammation affects the formation of new neurons in the brain as we age to find therapeutic targets for maintaining cognitive health. In this interview, he talks about his research and reflects on his Ph.D. journey.
Elucidating the Blood Group Regulome: A Ph.D. Interview with Gloria Wu
Gloria's research dives into the regulation of genes that determine human blood groups with the aim to provide insights that could minimize risks linked to blood transfusions. In this interview, she discusses her research and offers valuable advice for those considering pursuing a Ph.D. in Lund.
Transposable elements in the healthy and diseased human brain: A Ph.D. Interview with Raquel Garza Gómez
Raquel has studied the role of transposable elements in the human brain for a better understanding of their impact on brain development. In this interview, she tells about her research, her experience as a Ph.D. student, and the rewarding aspects of her work as a bioinformatician.
Blood stem cell dynamics during regenerative stress: A Ph.D. Interview with Anna Rydström
Anna has explored the regenerative dynamics of hematopoietic stem cells, also known as blood stem cells. In this interview, she discusses her research and tells about her research journey, offering valuable advice to aspiring students looking to follow a similar path.
Understanding Blood Cell Development During Aging and Exploring Rejuvenation Possibilities: A Ph.D. Interview with Anna Konturek-Ciesla
Anna's research focused on the mechanisms involved in age-related decline in hematopoietic system function and interventions, such as stem cell transplantation, for blood rejuvenation. In this interview, she discusses her research and future aspirations in academia.
Alveolar Progenitor Cells in Lung Damage and Regeneration: a Ph.D. Interview with Victoria Ptasinski
In collaboration with AstraZeneca, Victoria’s research has aimed to uncover the underlying causes of IPF, developing innovative stem cell-based technologies along the way. In this interview, she discusses her findings and offers advice to students with an interest in industry.
Restoring antitumor immunity with dendritic cell reprogramming strategies: a Ph.D. Interview with Alexandra Gabriela Barros Ferreira
Alexandra’s research involves direct reprogramming approaches, which function like a Trojan horse, enabling cancer cells to be targeted by the immune system. In this interview, she shares her favorite discoveries, the highlights of her Ph.D. journey, and her future aspirations.
CRISPR Screens Identify Candidate Therapeutic Targets in Leukemia: a Ph.D. Interview with Maria Rodriguez Zabala
Maria Rodriguez Zabala has focused her studies on human genetics and cancer research, using CRISPR/Cas9 screening to identify potential targets for developing new leukemia treatments. In this interview, she shares her research findings and advice for aspiring Ph.D. students.
Generating GABAergic interneurons: a Ph.D. Interview with Andreas Bruzelius
Combining cell biology and electrophysiology, Andreas' research focuses on generating brain cells, interneurons, in the lab to study neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this interview, he tells about his research and aspirations for the future.
Mechanisms of Initiation and Suppression in Pediatric Leukemia: a Ph.D. Interview with Mohamed Eldeeb
Passionate about scientific discovery with clinical impact, Mohamed Eldeeb investigated the mechanisms that prevent and suppress pediatric leukemia initiation. In this interview, he shares his findings, research journey, aspirations, and Ph.D. experience in Sweden.
Investigating a cell replacement therapy for Parkinson's Disease: a Ph.D. Interview with Fredrik Nilsson
Fredrik Nilsson explored the use of patient-specific cells in cell replacement therapy for Parkinson's disease, identifying strategies to safeguard these cells from degeneration. This interview covers his findings, potential implications for future therapies, and his time at Lund University,
New methods for phenotypic antibody discovery: a Ph.D. Interview with Jenny Mattsson
Jenny Mattsson focused on developing new methods to identify antibodies and targets for cancer and other diseases. In this interview, she shares her research journey, managing a Ph.D. alongside an industry career, and her most enjoyable moments in academia.
Exploring the role of YAP and TAZ in the lung epithelium: a Ph.D. Interview with Hani Alsafadi
With a passion for biomedical research and understanding the lung's regenerative abilities, Hani Alsafadi investigated the mechanisms driving idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In this interview, he shares key findings, state-of-the-art techniques, and unexpected joys from his Ph.D. journey.
Generating human astrocytes for disease modeling: a Ph.D. Interview with Ella Quist
Ella Quist dedicated the last several years to developing more efficient methods to generate functional and mature astrocytes for disease modeling of neurological disorders. This interview explores her efforts in advancing astrocyte research for potential brain disease treatments.
Bioengineering and Cell-derived Strategies for Salivary Gland Regeneration: a Ph.D. Interview with Jiao Dong
Jiao Dong researched a regenerative medicine strategy that can be used to repair the function of the salivary gland. In this interview, we learn more about her innovative research efforts, the inspiration behind them, and her experience as a Ph.D. student.