Viviane Schmidt

At the start of my second year as a PhD student, I was granted the amazing opportunity to continue my research work at the Trinity Biomedical Science Institute (TBSI) of Trinity College Dublin (TCD) for two months. Thanks to a cooperation, I was already in contact with one of the laboratories at the TBSI that works on a similar research topic, but uses other mouse models among other aspects. This made the laboratory a good place for continuing my own project. Not only did I have the chance to learn about new methods and procedures, I was also able to attend various conferences and make new contacts. The many experiences I made broadened my horizon immensely, both academically and personally.

My doctoral project is dedicated to the influence the immune system, and in particular the PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor has on the development of obesity, which I am exploring primarily in the mouse model in Germany. At the TBSI I worked on an in-depth project focussing on sex-specific differences between males and females. Owing to the increasing attention granted to sexual dimorphism, this work provided a vital addition to my results. Through cooperation with a working group at Maynooth University, I also received access to human fat tissue samples that enabled me to carry on my work beyond mouse models.

The working conditions at both the TBSI and Maynooth University were very good.
I was provided with a personal laptop and had a workstation in both laboratories for planning and analysing my experiments. I became part of the working group immediately, both while working as well as personally during breaks. At the start of my experiments and in the planning phase, there was always somebody there to instruct me and to help if I had any questions. During my entire stay, people helped each other whenever a large-scale experiment was taking place. This enabled me to get a good insight into the research topics and working methods of the other members of the working group. Our shared lunch breaks and visits to various Dublin restaurants at night gave rise to a great team spirit within the working group, and I enjoyed being a part of this group. Furthermore, I was able to attend various lectures and conferences that were held at the TBSI. Some of the events were dedicated to my research topic and others to other related topics such as immune metabolism or COVID-19. I learned a lot in these events, as well as from talking to the speakers and I also made new contacts. At the start of my stay, I presented my own topic at the Immunology Research Forum,
a lecture series of the TBSI.

Privat

Sign on a trail

Thanks to the fact that I visited Ireland in summer, there were no restrictions with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I was able to work on-site at the laboratory and visit lectures throughout.

My stay in Dublin was very successful, despite some minor organisational issues regarding the availability of tissue samples. I learned about new methods and optimi-
sations for familiar methods, which I can use in Germany in future. I was also able to generate new data that will have an impact on the direction my research project will take going forward. I got in touch with locals and people from around the world easily, thanks to my shared mixed-nationality accommodation and my working group, and I will stay in contact with the people I met.

My time in Dublin was a formative experience for me, as I had the chance to – and was forced to – deal with a new environment, new co-workers and unfamiliar situations.
I have become more confident as a result and this experience has prepared me for possible future postdoc positions in new countries and working groups. Despite all my laboratory work, I was also able to explore Dublin and the surrounding area. Ireland is a very green country that is great for hiking and admiring nature. On my walks exploring the city and its museums I also learned a lot about Dublin.

Summer in Ireland is relatively short, but there is perfect weather to go for a walk most days – whether for a short stroll after a long day at the laboratory or a longer hike at the weekend. There is always something beautiful to see, and there are always lots of sheep. It goes without saying that Dublin is also famous for its many pubs in the Temple Bar neighbourhood that is a great place to enjoy live music at the end of a long day.

Having a research stay in Ireland thanks to the ‘Knapp Scholarship’ of the DAAD-Stiftung and gathering academic and intercultural experience was a very special opportunity for me, for which I am very grateful and that I have greatly benefited from.
I made friends, learned new things about myself, about laboratory work and about Ireland. Above all, I found a place I would love to return to one day.