PhD candidates
DC1: Javier Olmos Becerra
Scinus Cell Expansion Netherlands B.V. (SCE) | Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen (UMCG)
Nationality: Spanish
Master degree: Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
What was the title of your master thesis?
"Layer by layer assembly of mucin nano film for biomedical application"
"Layer by layer assembly of mucin nano film for biomedical application"
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
Develop a high-throughput lentiviral production workflow for PoC (Point of Care) using the Scinus bioreactor.
Develop a high-throughput lentiviral production workflow for PoC (Point of Care) using the Scinus bioreactor.
What do you like best about your new location?
The friendly atmosphere of the city and the charming canals of Utrecht.
The friendly atmosphere of the city and the charming canals of Utrecht.
What do you still need to get used to?
Wearing a raincoat throughout the whole day.
Wearing a raincoat throughout the whole day.
DC2: Aysenur Oner
Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen (UMCG) | Integra Therapeutics S.L. (ITX)
Nationality: Turkish
Master degree: Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
What was the title of your master thesis?
“Transcriptomic Analysis of The Effect of DR4/5 Death Receptor Activation on The Differentiation of Primary Human Monocytes to M1 Macrophages”
“Transcriptomic Analysis of The Effect of DR4/5 Death Receptor Activation on The Differentiation of Primary Human Monocytes to M1 Macrophages”
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
Develop a GMP-compliant single-step process for E. coli Cas9 RNP complex production.
Develop a GMP-compliant single-step process for E. coli Cas9 RNP complex production.
What do you like best about your new location?
Groningen, a small city in the Netherlands, offers an immersive experience into local lifestyle and Dutch culture. The city’s size allows me to effortlessly bike to any destination, adding a delightful dimension to my everyday life – except, of course, under the rain which is not always feasible.
Groningen, a small city in the Netherlands, offers an immersive experience into local lifestyle and Dutch culture. The city’s size allows me to effortlessly bike to any destination, adding a delightful dimension to my everyday life – except, of course, under the rain which is not always feasible.
What do you still need to get used to?
While the majority of Dutch people are fluent in English, important documents and contracts are typically in Dutch. I’m looking forward to gradually becoming familiar with the language.
While the majority of Dutch people are fluent in English, important documents and contracts are typically in Dutch. I’m looking forward to gradually becoming familiar with the language.
DC3: Stanislav Perevoshchykov
Universiteit Gent (UGent) | Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen (UMCG) | Scinus Cell Expansion Netherlands B.V. (SCE)
Nationality: Ukranian
Master degree: Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
What was the title of your master thesis?
"Development of submicron multimodal capsules for diagnosis and therapy of prostate cancer."
"Development of submicron multimodal capsules for diagnosis and therapy of prostate cancer."
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
Development of high-throughput and high-viability optoporation setup for CAR-T therapy,
Development of high-throughput and high-viability optoporation setup for CAR-T therapy,
What do you like best about your new location?
As I spend my last 2 years in Berlin, I find Ghent's compact and walkable nature to be a refreshing change from Berlin's sprawling metropolis. The city's charming medieval architecture, lively atmosphere, and abundance small and green spaces are also appealing.
As I spend my last 2 years in Berlin, I find Ghent's compact and walkable nature to be a refreshing change from Berlin's sprawling metropolis. The city's charming medieval architecture, lively atmosphere, and abundance small and green spaces are also appealing.
What do you still need to get used to?
Adjusting to Ghent's slower pace of life has been an interesting experience. While I'm still getting used to the public transportation system and language barrier, I'm gradually embracing Ghent's and Belgium’s unique charm.
Adjusting to Ghent's slower pace of life has been an interesting experience. While I'm still getting used to the public transportation system and language barrier, I'm gradually embracing Ghent's and Belgium’s unique charm.
DC4: Raul Leandro
Universiteit Gent (UGent) | Integra Therapeutics S.L. (ITX)
Nationality: Portuguese
Master degree: Biomaterials and Biomedicine, Nova University of Lisbon, Portugal
What was the title of your master thesis?
"Comparison of RNA delivery efficiency of different EV subpopulations."
"Comparison of RNA delivery efficiency of different EV subpopulations."
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
Development of lipid nanoparticles for T-cell modification
Development of lipid nanoparticles for T-cell modification
What do you like best about your new location?
Ghent is a small city, which allows me to travel everywhere by bike, making it quite practical to live in
Ghent is a small city, which allows me to travel everywhere by bike, making it quite practical to live in
What do you still need to get used to?
Belgium has a weather quite different from what I am used to, with a lot of rain and colder temperatures, making it difficult to willingly leave the house for different activitites.
Belgium has a weather quite different from what I am used to, with a lot of rain and colder temperatures, making it difficult to willingly leave the house for different activitites.
DC5: Alejandro Ragel López
Integra Therapeutics (ITX) | Fundacio Clinic Per A La Recerca Biomedica (FCRB)
Nationality: Spanish
Master degree: Industrial and Agri-Foods Biotechnology (University of Almería, Spain)
What was the title of your master thesis?
"Approach through Fluorescence Microscopy to the Behavior of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum in the Root Environment of Some Agronomically Relevant Cucurbits."
"Approach through Fluorescence Microscopy to the Behavior of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum in the Root Environment of Some Agronomically Relevant Cucurbits."
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
Introduce FiCAT, a novel gene transfer tool from Integra Tx, surpassing current T cell gene editing limitations. The project aims for gene multiplexing—silencing detrimental genes (Knock-out) while integrating therapeutic genes (Knock-In) at the same locus.
Introduce FiCAT, a novel gene transfer tool from Integra Tx, surpassing current T cell gene editing limitations. The project aims for gene multiplexing—silencing detrimental genes (Knock-out) while integrating therapeutic genes (Knock-In) at the same locus.
What do you like best about your new location?
After spending over 4 enriching years in the vibrant city of Oxford (UK), I felt a strong desire to return to sunnier climes without compromising the scientific culture that fuels my passion. Barcelona emerged as the perfect destination. Now, amidst the inspiring sea views from my Research Centre, I actively participate in discussions regarding the upcoming stages of my experiments.
After spending over 4 enriching years in the vibrant city of Oxford (UK), I felt a strong desire to return to sunnier climes without compromising the scientific culture that fuels my passion. Barcelona emerged as the perfect destination. Now, amidst the inspiring sea views from my Research Centre, I actively participate in discussions regarding the upcoming stages of my experiments.
What do you still need to get used to?
The dynamic field of Gene Editing, notably for CAR-T cells, is evolving rapidly, presenting a formidable challenge. Recognizing the extensive journey towards expertise that awaits me, I actively strive to immerse myself in knowledge through continuous and dedicated learning efforts. Perhaps, I still need to get used to the influx of tourists in Barcelona (especially during summer).
The dynamic field of Gene Editing, notably for CAR-T cells, is evolving rapidly, presenting a formidable challenge. Recognizing the extensive journey towards expertise that awaits me, I actively strive to immerse myself in knowledge through continuous and dedicated learning efforts. Perhaps, I still need to get used to the influx of tourists in Barcelona (especially during summer).
DC6: Lena Elke Rockstein
Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen (UMCG) | Fundacio Clinic Per A La Recerca Biomedica (FCRB)
Nationality: German
Master degree: Carl-von-Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Germany
What was the title of your master thesis?
"On the role of TRAIL receptors for NK cell cytotoxicity in myeloid leukaemia."
"On the role of TRAIL receptors for NK cell cytotoxicity in myeloid leukaemia."
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
Identifying key immunosuppressive mechanisms associated with resistance or relapse upon CAR T cell treatment in Diffused Large B cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
Identifying key immunosuppressive mechanisms associated with resistance or relapse upon CAR T cell treatment in Diffused Large B cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
What do you like best about your new location?
Groningen is a small and charming city but has a vibrant atmosphere due to the high number of students (from all over the world) living here. I particularly enjoy working at UMCG because it is such a large and lively clinic and because patient care and research are closely tied and because it has such a modern and innovative research network.
Groningen is a small and charming city but has a vibrant atmosphere due to the high number of students (from all over the world) living here. I particularly enjoy working at UMCG because it is such a large and lively clinic and because patient care and research are closely tied and because it has such a modern and innovative research network.
What do you still need to get used to?
Although people here bike a lot, most of them are not wearing helmets, which surprises me a lot. I also miss German bread so much! I don’t like that so many people are smoking here and you are constantly exposed to smokers. I think generally speaking people here are more welcoming than Germans and more happy to small-talk with strangers!
Although people here bike a lot, most of them are not wearing helmets, which surprises me a lot. I also miss German bread so much! I don’t like that so many people are smoking here and you are constantly exposed to smokers. I think generally speaking people here are more welcoming than Germans and more happy to small-talk with strangers!
DC7: Erik Mihelic
Fundacio Clinic Per A La Recerca Biomedica (FCRB) | Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen (UMCG) | Scinus Cell Expansion Netherlands B.V. (SCE)
Nationality: Canadian
Master degree: MSc Advanced Genetics / Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau / Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona / Spain
What was the title of your master thesis?
"Targeting DNA Repair Pathways for Cancer Therapeutics"
"Targeting DNA Repair Pathways for Cancer Therapeutics"
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
Developing gene edited CAR-T to resist immunosuppression and improve targeting in DLBCL
Developing gene edited CAR-T to resist immunosuppression and improve targeting in DLBCL
What do you like best about your new location?
The culture, lifestyle, and the lab group!
The culture, lifestyle, and the lab group!
What do you still need to get used to?
He de millorar el meu català! Poc a poc
He de millorar el meu català! Poc a poc
DC8: Iván Fernández Muñoz
Integra Therapeutics S.L. (ITX) | Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen (UMCG)
Nationality: Spanish
Master degree: MSc Molecular Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
What was the title of your master thesis?
"Measuring Clonality and Clonal Selection by CRISPR Lineage Tracing"
"Measuring Clonality and Clonal Selection by CRISPR Lineage Tracing"
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
I will use cutting-edge genetic engineering approaches in order to improve CAR-T cell therapies. I will identify genes involved in immunosuppression resistance and use multiplex knock-in/knock-out strategies to increase the effectivity of CAR-T cells.
I will use cutting-edge genetic engineering approaches in order to improve CAR-T cell therapies. I will identify genes involved in immunosuppression resistance and use multiplex knock-in/knock-out strategies to increase the effectivity of CAR-T cells.
What do you like best about your new location?
My favorite thing about Barcelona is the warm and sunny weather, even during the wintertime. I really enjoy working in front of the seashore and having lunch with my colleagues under the sun.
My favorite thing about Barcelona is the warm and sunny weather, even during the wintertime. I really enjoy working in front of the seashore and having lunch with my colleagues under the sun.
What do you still need to get used to?
I must admit that I am still adapting to my current workplace, everything is new to me: new city, new facilities, new colleagues, new topics to delve into… But I take it as a challenge, I love to learn new things, and I can’t wait to see what these next 3 years are going to bring to me at Integra Therapeutics!
I must admit that I am still adapting to my current workplace, everything is new to me: new city, new facilities, new colleagues, new topics to delve into… But I take it as a challenge, I love to learn new things, and I can’t wait to see what these next 3 years are going to bring to me at Integra Therapeutics!
DC9: Jorge García Balduz
Universiteit Gent (UGent) | Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen (UMCG) | Scinus Cell Expansion Netherlands B.V. (SCE)
Nationality: Spanish
Master degree: Università degli Studi di Brescia, Italy
What was the title of your master thesis?
"Study of different THP-1-derived cell line models suitable for the analysis of the crosstalk between TLR 7/8 and the atypical chemokine receptor CCRL2"
"Study of different THP-1-derived cell line models suitable for the analysis of the crosstalk between TLR 7/8 and the atypical chemokine receptor CCRL2"
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
To synthesize and link diverse drug-loaded nanoparticles to CAR-T cells, facilitating their targeted transportation and specific release within the tumour microenvironment.
To synthesize and link diverse drug-loaded nanoparticles to CAR-T cells, facilitating their targeted transportation and specific release within the tumour microenvironment.
What do you like best about your new location?
Ghent is an ideal city: just the right size, vibrant, open-minded, and welcoming, boasting a rich multicultural atmosphere. It's a place where you can enjoy Belgian beer and fries and always find a variety of exciting plans to partake in.
Ghent is an ideal city: just the right size, vibrant, open-minded, and welcoming, boasting a rich multicultural atmosphere. It's a place where you can enjoy Belgian beer and fries and always find a variety of exciting plans to partake in.
What do you still need to get used to?
Adapting to the lack of Spanish weather, cuisine, and the customary lunch/dinner schedules requires adjustment.
Adapting to the lack of Spanish weather, cuisine, and the customary lunch/dinner schedules requires adjustment.
DC10: Valeria Brunello
Fundacio Clinic Per A La Recerca Biomedica (FCRB) | Integra Therapeutics (ITX)
Nationality: Italian
Master degree: Medical biotechnologies, University of Padua, Italy
What was the title of your master thesis?
"Engineered TAP1 and TAP2 proteins to block the CD7 and HLA-I surface expression on CAR-T cells."
"Engineered TAP1 and TAP2 proteins to block the CD7 and HLA-I surface expression on CAR-T cells."
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
The aim of the project is to design several strategies to improve the antitumor activity of CAR-T cells, including enhancing the T cell homing to tumor sites and rendering the CAR-T cells resistant to immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME).
The aim of the project is to design several strategies to improve the antitumor activity of CAR-T cells, including enhancing the T cell homing to tumor sites and rendering the CAR-T cells resistant to immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME).
What do you like best about your new location?
FRCB-IDIBAPS center is a stimulating working environment, where colleagues are supportive, open to collaborations and researchers are encouraged to continuously learn and develop new skills. Barcelona is a wonderful city, the weather is pleasant most of the year, people are friendly and the multiculturality of the city offers the possibility to meet different realities.
FRCB-IDIBAPS center is a stimulating working environment, where colleagues are supportive, open to collaborations and researchers are encouraged to continuously learn and develop new skills. Barcelona is a wonderful city, the weather is pleasant most of the year, people are friendly and the multiculturality of the city offers the possibility to meet different realities.
What do you still need to get used to?
I’ve got used to the life in Spain almost immediately, probably because I’ve found many similarities between Spanish and Italian culture.
I’ve got used to the life in Spain almost immediately, probably because I’ve found many similarities between Spanish and Italian culture.