“A little more independent every day”
During her first few days at the Research Summer, Hannah Jung was both excited and nervous about what lay ahead. But now, just a few weeks in, she knows that computational biology and independent research are exactly her thing.
How would you describe the Research Summer in one word?
New. I’m doing so many things I’ve never done before. I’m in a city I’d never been to, and I didn’t know anyone in Basel. Especially at the beginning, everything was completely new to me and a lot to take in all at once.
What did that newness feel like? Do you like that sort of situation?
The first two days, I was really nervous. I’d never worked in a lab before, and I didn’t know how serious or formal everything would be. But now I absolutely love it, partly because I enjoy discovering new things and being given new tasks. At some point, I noticed that I was heading to work in the morning already knowing what I wanted to do that day. Getting into working independently like this feels good. And I’m meeting lots of new people. They ask me where I’m from, but they also tell me about their own projects.
What has surprised you the most so far?
How much computational biology is involved in biology these days. At university, the focus is often on traditional experiments. But here I’ve realized that many labs primarily analyze data. You don’t even necessarily need a background in biology to do that; some researchers come from physics, for example. I was surprised by just how diverse biology actually is. I hadn’t realized that before.
Where and what do you study?
I study in Utrecht in the Netherlands. My degree program is called University College Liberal Arts and Sciences, and it’s modeled a little on American colleges: you don’t commit to a specific major straight away. During my first year, I tried subjects like anthropology as well. But then I realized that biology and chemistry are what I really want to do. That’s why I’m studying biology now.
Why did you apply for the Research Summer?
My degree doesn’t include that much practical lab work. I’d taken two lab courses, but they weren’t very intensive. I enjoy biology, and I can see myself working in research later on, so I wanted to try it out first. What I especially liked about the Research Summer was that you didn’t need any previous experience and that you were matched with a research group based on your interests.
Which group are you working with?
I’m working in Richard Neher’s group. One of the things they do is analyze viral genomes. Last semester, I ended up taking a programming course more or less by chance because I didn’t get into the courses I’d originally wanted. This course was about mathematical and computational methods in research. It was really cool, even though it focused more on physics than biology. Richard’s group combines biology with exactly these methods, so his lab was high on my list of preferences.
Do you have your own project?
Yes, I have my own small project on hantaviruses. I analyzed the genomes of four different hantavirus species and constructed a phylogenetic tree. It visualizes how closely related the different viruses are and how they’ve changed during evolution. It would be interesting to investigate whether the species that infect humans share common traits. But that would still be a little too complicated for me at this point.
Have you discovered a new area of interest through the project?
Yes, definitely. I find computational science very interesting in general. I’d also like to explore some other areas of bioinformatics.
What have you learned that you didn’t know or couldn’t do before?
I’ve learned a lot about new data-analysis tools and how to work with data. I also knew hardly anything about hantaviruses before. I also picked up a lot just through conversations. At the beginning, I barely understood anything. By now, I have at least some idea of how research works.
After these few weeks, can you imagine yourself working in research later on?
Yes. I find research super interesting, especially the fact that you try things without knowing what the outcome will be.
How did your team welcome you?
They were incredibly welcoming. In the very first week, we all went swimming in the Rhine together. We often have lunch together, frequently with people from other groups or institutes as well. And this week, we’ll probably go white-water kayaking in France together.
Has the internship changed the way you think about research?
Yes, especially because I’ve learned that data analysis is research too. The working environment is also much more relaxed than I’d imagined. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by how people listen to one another and take an interest in what others are doing.
Which Research Summer experiences wouldn’t you want to have missed?
There are two. The first is swimming in the Rhine. The second is the moment when, after about three weeks, I created and visualized my first phylogenetic tree all by myself. That’s when I thought: Now I’m done, and I found what we were looking for. That was great. The tree is going to be published online later, and I’m already looking forward to sending the link to my family and saying, “Look, I made this.”