(Average reading time 2 mins)
As part of our series highlighting the Euan MacDonald Centre’s funded PhD journey, we are catching up with each of our funded students at different stages of their doctorate. First, we meet Irene Roig Ferrando, who is in year 1 of her PhD at the University of Edinburgh.
What is your PhD project about?
Hi everyone! In healthy brain cells, TDP-43 is a protein in charge of regulating the messages between the center of these cells, containing the DNA, and the rest of their bodies to ensure normal function. Many patients from a growing number of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, have some degree of TDP-43 misfunction, resulting in brain cell dysfunction. In my PhD project, I am trying to evaluate the ability of thousands of drugs in helping brain cells overcome the loss of TDP-43.
What have you been focusing on in your first year so far?
During my first year, my day-to-day consists of both learning and analysing data from our drug search. Thanks to the Euan MacDonald Centre-funded PhD and to my amazing team members, I have already gotten incredible learning opportunities, ranging from laboratory and bioinformatics mentorship, to presenting my work and discussing with external experts at conferences. Guided by these experiences, my focus has been to ensure that the work I do in the current and upcoming years has robust, steady, and informed foundations.
Have you been involved in any patient and public engagement for your project?
I have a bit, yes! Two amazing experiences I had very early on were the Euan MacDonald Tribute Symposium, where I was a volunteer, and at the MND-SMART gathering meeting. During both events, it was deeply enriching to hear from patients and wider community members. I was also part of the Biggar Science Festival, where I had the chance to do fun science activities and share all about our work with the younger ones and their adults. I am looking forward to meeting more patients during lab tours and clinic visits in the upcoming future – so I will hopefully see some of you soon!
What has surprised you most about starting a PhD?
The biggest surprise has been how important time management is. It may sound obvious, but it is one of those things where ‘knowing about’ and ‘knowing how’ are surprisingly different! With everything feeling so relevant and exciting, remembering to keep a strong and sustainable rhythm has been core to being able to weather any challenge so far.
What are you looking forward to next?
Everything! Meeting more patients and family members, seeing our results, starting the next round of experiments, developing my current abilities, improving on any gaps, learning more… I am looking forward to every bit of it.
Watch this short video from Irene about her PhD journey
Opens University of Edinburgh's Media Hopper. Viewing time approximately 1 min 49 secs)
Download the audio transcription pdf
Relevant links
Read the introductory article: Training the Next Generation of MND Researchers
Information about the Euan MacDonald Centre
Information about the funded PhD scheme
Information about how you can support us
Image courtesy of Irene Roig Ferrando (three researchers beside a research stand at the Biggar Science Festival - Irene is on the right).