From left to right: Almudena del Codo, from the CNIO Education and Training Department; the students Viktoriia Belousova, Marina Gladkova, Carolina Hernández, María Carmen Barace, Rosa María Gaudioso and Lucía Zanotti; and Marisol Soengas, Head of the CNIO Dean’s Office. /CNIO
Six students from Russia, Argentina and Spain, aged 20 to 24, will train with researchers at CNIO, one of the world’s leading basic and translational research centres
CNIO Director Maria A. Blasco sees this type of training programme as a chance for students to “spend time doing research abroad and enrich their academic work”
Over 5,000 students from all over the world have applied to CNIO’s International Summer Programme since 2007. This year, CNIO considered more than 550 applications from students from 76 countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania
In the next weeks, researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) will come across six advanced undergraduate biomedical students who will be working in CNIO’s labs during the summer. As every year since 2000, CNIO called for applications for the International Summer Training Programme, where admitted applicants experience first-hand what building an academic career is like.
“Our International Summer Training Programme has become a classic,” says CNIO Director, Maria A. Blasco. “Many students who completed our summer programme decided to do their graduate work at CNIO, which means they trust us. In addition, this type of training programme fosters international mobility, which is a key component of a researcher’s career.”
CNIO offers a competitive training programme that has received, only since 2007, more than 5000 applications from students from all over the world. This year, more than 550 applications from 76 countries were received at CNIO, and only six applicants were admitted. They are 20- to 24-year-old students from Russia, Argentina and Spain.
On June 25, the young students met Marisol Soengas, Head of the Dean’s Office at CNIO. “During their stay, these students will not only learn about lab techniques but also understand the essence of the research we do here. At CNIO, they will have the chance to be part of competitive projects. We believe they can make the most of their experience here, which will help them build successful careers.”
Below are the list of the applicants who were admitted to the Programme, and the Groups they will be attached to for research experience. The young students are expected to understand the links between cancer and defective proteins, genetic and epigenetic alternations, cellular metabolism and nutrients, oncogenes, etc. They will learn not only the direct impact research has on cancer patients (in particular, breast cancer patients) but also how to use state-of-the-art microscopy technology in cancer research.
María Carmen Barace Indurain (University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain)
Confocal Microscopy Core Unit, headed by Diego Megías
“Being admitted is like a gift to me. I will be able to see first-hand how they conduct research at CNIO. I hope to learn a lot from both researchers and fellow students. We all have different academic backgrounds, so we will complement one another and open ourselves up to new perspectives.”
Viktoriia Belousova (Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St Petersburg, Russia)
Chromosome Dynamics Group, led by Ana Losada
“I am looking forward to meeting members of the research community. They are excellent professionals and I am sure I will learn a lot from them. Also, I want to do my bit and help combat cancer in the future. I am sure being at CNIO will be an enriching experience; I will learn a lot.”
Rosa María Gaudioso García (Complutense University of Madrid, Spain)
Human Genotyping-CEGEN Unit, headed by Anna González-Neira
“I hope I can make the most of my stay in CNIO. I am sure I will learn a lot from experts in carcinogenesis. With its cutting-edge technology, the Human Genotyping Unit will give me the chance to deepen my understanding of the genetic causes of cancer.”
Marina Gladkova (Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia)
Metabolism and Cell Signalling Group, led by Alejo Efeyan
“I have been fascinated by the world of science since I was a little girl. My curious mind and the death of relatives caused by cancer is what decided me to choose a biomedical career. I want to help people fight against serious illnesses and expand the limits of science and personal growth. I believe global cooperation and the commitment of brilliant minds will help us find the answers we have not found yet. I consider spending time at CNIO is a unique chance to meet, work and cooperate with scientists from different countries and share experiences with them.”
Carolina Hernández Oliver (Universidad Católica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain)
Kinases, Protein Phosphorylation and Cancer Group, led by Iván Plaza-Menacho
“With a degree in Biotechnology and an internship in the Drug Discovery Unit at IIS La Fe, the summer training programme at CNIO will help me explore a new environment in a pioneering research institution. Being a temporary member of Plaza Menacho’s team is a great opportunity for me to broaden my knowledge in the field of structural biology. I am looking forward to starting learning from world-class scientists and laying the foundation of my future career in science.”
Lucía Zanotti (Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina)
Breast Cancer Clinical Research Unit, headed by Miguel Ángel Quintela
“I am enormously grateful for this opportunity I have from CNIO. I am sure it will be a unique experience that will help me grow both professionally and personally. I want to make the most of this internship in such a renowned research centre as CNIO is, with a research team made of outstanding scientists.”
For more information, please visit CNIO International Summer Training Programme