22. January, 2018
Newcastle International Centre for Life, Newcastle University
by Miriam Gjerdevik, University of Bergen
I visited Heather J. Cordell, Professor of Statistical Genetics, and her research group at Newcastle University, Institute of Genetic Medicine, from September 2017 to December 2017.
Heather Cordell is a world-leading researcher within the development and application of statistical methodology to genetic studies of complex diseases. We have several research interests in common, in particular statistical analyses involving case-parent trios. The purpose of my research exchange was to expand my international network and establish a connection and collaboration with Cordell and her group.
I started working on my third PhD paper in the beginning of my research stay. With excellent supervising from both my main supervisor, Håkon Gjessing, and Cordell, I managed to write a decent first draft of the paper during my three-month stay. The input from Cordell has improved the quality of my paper, and the collaboration has been very fruitful. During my exchange, I had regular phone meetings with my supervisor. This was an excellent way of keeping in touch and discussing my ongoing research.
I was warmly welcomed by Cordell and her group. Within the office, the group organized fortnightly informal seminars where we could share new thoughts and ideas for research. Moreover, the group met for dinner and institution drinks after work, which made it easy to get to know everyone and to socialise in the evenings. I also joined the group for a one-day conference in Edinburgh, which further expanded my international network.
My stay in Newcastle has been very successful! I have developed new ideas for research and increased my knowledge of complex trait research. Moreover, I have met several new colleagues and friends, with whom I hope to cooperate throughout my career.
I truly enjoyed each and every day at the Institute of Genetic Medicine in Newcastle! I am very grateful for receiving this opportunity, and I would like to thank Gjessing and Cordell for all their help in making this international exchange possible, as well as the National research school in bioinformatics, biostatistics and systems biology (NORBIS) and the University of Bergen for the necessary funding.
Future advice:
Prior to my research stay, there was quite a lot of paperwork to complete (applications for funding, occasional student application, NAV, insurances, etc.). In addition, there were practical concerns such as finding an apartment. I recommend starting the paperwork as early as possible, as it took longer than expected. Moreover, I regret not going for a longer period of time. I would encourage others to apply for a six-month exchange if possible.
12. January, 2018
CSIC – Estación Experimental de Aula Dei (EEAD), Zaragoza, Spain
by Teshome Mulugeta, NMBU
I am so grateful to NORBIS that I was given the opportunity to travel to EEAD-CSIC, Zaragoza, Spain as a visiting PhD student. It was a useful experience to me to work and talk with several outstanding people. My visit to EEAD-CSIC was arranged and supervised by Dr. Bruno Contreras-Moreira. The primary goal of my visit was to spend time doing research related to my PhD with relevant professionals.
Research achievement
Upon arrival at EEAD-CSIC, I presented my PhD projects. We had a very productive discussion and I got useful feedback from relevant EEAD-CSIC research groups. We started by outlining the activities to perform during my stay at EEAD-CSIC. During my stay at EEAD-CSIC, I learned new proven approaches and methods to annotate transcription factors and their binding sites, to analyse expression based cis-regulatory motifs and to develop comparative database for orthology to be used for phylogenetic de novo regulatory motif discovery. The knowledge and experience i gained from EEAD-CSIC visit helped me to move my PhD projects forward.
Professional training
My presence at EEAD-CSIC provided me an opportunity to be invited to participate in one of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) action in Gene Regulation Ensemble Effort for the Knowledge Commons (GREEKC) which was held in Lisbon, Portugal. The main goal of the workshop was to get a first hand hack-a-thon training from GREEKC resources and experts in gene regulation. The workshop helped me to assess the state of the art in gene regulatory process and its subsequent use in computational biology. I got the opportunity to discuss my PhD projects with trainers and trainee. I was active in the discussions and I believe my participation had a significant contribution in defining action points and future improvements at the end.
Professional network
My visit to EEAD-CSIC helped me to expand my professional network both in Spain and internationally especially at the GREEKC event that i participated in Lisbon. I met extraordinary professionals and experts in my PhD study area and had established a strong network with them. I am now active member of Gene Regulation Ensemble Effort for the Knowledge Commons (GREEKC http://greekc.org/) and will participate their annual workshops and trainings in the future.
Adventures and holidays
Zaragoza is located in northeastern Spain, Aragon region. I was fortunate to be in Zaragoza where the Pilar Festival (Las Fiestas del Pilar) is celebrated on the 12th of October. During the official celebration week, there comes wide variety of events like concerts, parades, flowers and theatre. It was amazing festival that brought people from every corner of Spain.
People show devotion to the Virgin del Pilar by leaving flowers
I had also the opportunity to revel in the incredible mountain scenery of the Pyrenees Spain arranged by EEAD-CSIC work colleagues. The experience was a truly engaging and captivating which has left me awestruck.
Hiking to the Pyrenees
Conclusion
In general, my visit was a very fruitful and enriching experience. I am grateful to NORBIS for providing this opportunity. I would also like to thank Dr. Bruno for the hospitality and assistance during my stay in Spain. I also would like to thank my supervisors Prof. Dag Inge Våge, Associate Prof. Simen Rød Sandve, Dr. Torfinn Nome and Prof. Torgeir R. Hvidsten. Thanks for EEAD-CSIC colleagues and staff for their kindness and warm welcome.
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