JSMC Graduates - A PhD Journey: Raquel Alonso-Roman

Text by Raquel Alonso-Roman

I did my thesis at the Hans Knöll Institute, in the group of Prof. Bernhard Hube - Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms - around the fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Specifically, I  investigated the potential of probiotics to fight against systemic candidiasis and worked with an intestine-on-chip model to study the infection. My defence was on the 18th of March.
My PhD has definitely been a very fun time. Not only because of my colleagues and friends - who are great - but because I really enjoyed learning, carrying out my projects, attending
conferences, and collaborating with other scientists. Of course, it did not come free of struggles, but overall, I don´t regret the decision of moving to Jena and doing a PhD.

After submitting my PhD thesis, I stayed within the HKI supporting the experiments in organ-on-chip for both infection biology and drug development applications. I really like this field, and I will do this job for a few more months after my defence. However, I want to eventually look for a job in industry, hopefully something related to project management and
scientific writing.

During my PhD thesis, the JSMC has provided a great support for me (and I believe for the rest of the students as well). I particularly appreciate having the possibility of meeting fellow researchers outside my lab, of participating in symposia and seminars so I could get experience presenting. Besides, don´t sleep on the travel grants! They might allow you to attend conferences you would not have been able otherwise. I´m also happy the new speakers are putting so much effort in organizing social events. This is really valuable and I hope the newcomers in Jena feel welcomed and supported.