Testimonials

I worked in the Prof. Fellay’s lab that focuses on human genomics of viral diseases. My project was to characterize the host genomic variants of HIV super controllers.

It was as if I was doing my own research, which was very interesting. Since the lab was a dry lab, I used computers to analyse genomic sequences by with Unix and Bash. My PI was very generous with his time and my supervisor was passionate about teaching and helping me. I  could successfully achieve my project’s goal.

I learned research tools such as how to do variant calling, annotation and verifying variants and how to communicate with other scientists.

I think the most important thing was the social network with other talented SRP participants. Living with each other helps us to become great friends and gives us the opportunity to discuss each other’s projects.

I became confident about studying abroad. My plan is to do a PhD and to continue to study genomic factors of various diseases. I would like to be a researcher who can give hope to people who suffer from genetic diseases by developing therapies.

I am in the process of applying to graduate schools in the US after finishing my internships.  Things are a little bit in limbo because of the Corona Virus at the moment.  Watch this space!

I worked in Prof. Gönczy’s lab generating a C. elegans temperature sensitive strain that allows to purify large amounts of fluorescently labelled centrioles for the characterization of centrioles from sperm without DNA.

Working in a research lab at EPFL was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The lab atmosphere was amazing. It was exciting working with people who share the same passion for life sciences. I learnt a lot from the professor, technicians, PhDs and postdocs there and built strong friendships!

I learned things that I am not able to learn in my country due to its economic crisis. EPFL’s SRP gave me the opportunity to acquire hands-on laboratory training in multiple lab techniques and I was glad to be part of an amazing lab team. I gained independence, learned some French and expanded my understanding of the world as I met people from many countries and made friendships with people from many cultures. Most importantly, I proved to myself that I am capable to succeed out of my comfort zone.

SRP gives students like me their first opportunity to do research surrounded by like-minded people within a laboratory setting at the edge of the unknown. SRP gives a life changing experience that is remembered for the rest of one’s life.

Thanks to SRP I expanded my vision of my future plans as scientist. I plan to do my PhD in Europe, most probably in Switzerland.

EPFL SRP is an opportunity of a lifetime if you are an undergraduate student pursuing a career in life sciences. When applying show your curiosity, inspiration and motivation for science and dedicate enough time to work on your application.

I did my internship at Prof. Renaud’s lab and my project was investigating on In-cell electrophysiological recording.

Astonishing would be the best-describing word for the lab atmosphere and people around me. Facilities, people in there and especially the professional approach to scientific research has taught me a lot!

Daily organizing, working in a group on electrical assays like EIS. Theoretically obtaining the model and then practically examine it.

Seeing one of the best bioelectrical school in the world could give me a helpful view of my future and working area.

Definitely, I am thinking seriously about  applying for a PhD position at the lab I worked in, at EPFL!

While under quarantine, I am waiting for PhD application results and applying to EPFL’s Doctoral Program in Microsystems and Microelectronics. I am also finalizing the data and writing a paper manuscript to be submitted for a journal publication.  Moreover, I am writing my Master thesis and getting ready to defend as soon as the situation is back to normal.

I strongly encourage students to apply for SRP. Being in one of the best universities in the world would surely help to have a much better view over a field of interest, the future of the field and will be a big help to become familiar with different projects going on at EPFL.

I worked in Prof. van der Goot’s lab and my project was on palmitoylation of protrudin and it’s role in the regulation of the endoplasmic reticulum’s architecture and formation of contact sites with late endosomes.

The lab was like a second home to me because I found myself surrounded by family. The lab members were welcoming, my supervisor was awesome and the principal investigator was loving and encouraging.

I learnt how to use the most recent techniques and technologies in life science research to solve health related problems. It was great to experience that research is about searching and continuing the search even when nothing has been found so far. If nothing has been found in your precious searches, then you need to RE-SEARCH or search again and again until you find something. That’s why it is called RESEARCH.

Meeting people from other countries and making new friends. The unity in the diversity of the group was something I would love to remember for a long time.

Presently, I am doing my master’s and would consider beginning a PhD program in the US. Definitely, the SRP had an effect on my plans for the future by igniting a burning passion to pursue research (and a PhD) with the overall goal of saving lives.

Especially for students in developing countries, my advice would be: apply even if you feel your chances of being accepted are slim. If you do not apply you make your chances zero but if you apply there is still a chance to be selected, no matter how small you think it is. Moreover, inclusion and diversity are a very important factor considered when participants are selected.