“It’s cool to see the different ways biology and physics connect”
Berit Kooter moved from Amsterdam to Basel to study Physics of Life. She is one of the first students in the new master’s program. In this interview, she talks about why she chose Basel for her master’s, her first research experiences and what she likes about studying at the interface of biology and physics.
Why did you decide to do your Master’s in Physics of Life in Basel?
I did my bachelor’s degree in physics in Amsterdam. During my studies, I took several elective courses in biophysics, and realized that I really enjoyed connecting physics with biological questions. Biophysics is also offered in Amsterdam, but I wanted a change of scenery. I really like the mountains, I love hiking and skiing, so I started looking for master’s programs somewhere close to the Alps. That’s how I discovered the Physics of Life program in Basel. After learning more about it and talking to professors during the entry interview, I felt that it would be a good fit.
When did you start the program?
I started in September, so I am currently in my first year. In this program, you take courses and complete three research projects: two three-month part-time research projects and a final master thesis. I decided to start right away with both the courses and my first project, so I really jumped straight into research.
What kind of courses have you taken so far?
One of the mandatory courses is “Current Topics in Biophysics”, which is essentially a journal club. We discussed biophysical papers that had a big impact on the field. That was really cool because it gives a good overview of the important questions in biophysics. I also took “Bioinformatics Algorithms”, which is a computational course on how physics and biology can be combined to analyze biological data.
Berit Kooter moved from Amsterdam to Basel to pursue her master's in "Physics of Life" at the Biozentrum.
You also did your first research project. Can you tell us more about it?
For my first project, I joined the group of Erik van Nimwegen. I worked on modeling gene expression in bacteria and studied how gene expression changes when conditions change. It was a more theoretical project than I initially expected, but I actually enjoyed it a lot. And I was surprised by how many results I managed to obtain in the end. It was very cool to see that my work might contribute to further research in the lab.
How was working in the research group?
It was a great experience. Everyone was very welcoming, and it was exciting to do real research instead of only learning about it in lectures. If you study biophysics, it is an obvious choice to do your research projects at the Biozentrum. There are so many great groups here doing very diverse research.
What do you like about this master’s program?
I like that it is research-focused and that you can explore your interests early on. Because the program is quite small, you have a lot of direct interaction with professors and researchers, which makes it easy to talk to them about their research or discuss possible projects. At the same time, the courses are shared with students from other programs and also with PhD students, so you still meet many people.
Do you feel well supported in the program?
Yes, definitely. The program head, Knut Drescher, is very supportive and helps with questions about the program, for example, which courses to choose or how to find research groups that match your interests. I also received a scholarship, which is great.
Coming from physics, how do you like the program’s interdisciplinary aspect?
I really enjoy it. Physics can sometimes be quite abstract. The cool thing about biophysics is that, at least for me, you have a better grip on why what you are doing is actually relevant, because it is directly linked, for example, to biomedical research or applications.
Do you like living in Basel and Switzerland?
Moving to Basel was both exciting and a bit scary, because it was my first time living far away from my family in the Netherlands. But now I really like living in Basel. Compared to Amsterdam, it feels quieter and less crowded, but it still has everything you need from a city. I mean if you want some hustle and bustle, you can still find it. Another big advantage is how close you are to nature. I often go running in the nearby forest, and it’s easy to take weekend trips to the Alps or the Black Forest.
Do you already have plans for after your master’s degree?
I am quite sure that I want to do a PhD. I’m not sure yet whether I will stay in Basel or go somewhere else, but doing different research projects here will definitely help me figure out what direction I want to take.