Where are you from, and what are you studying? 
I’m originally from Milan, Italy, but I’m currently pursuing a BSc in Physics at Yale University in the United States. I’m also on the pre-medical track, with the goal of attending medical school after completing my bachelor’s degree.

Which research group are you working with? 
I do my internship in Fiona Doetsch’s lab, which specializes in research on stem cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the mammalian brain, as well as the biology of the choroid plexus within the ventricular system.

Why did you choose her group?
I am extremely passionate about the brain and nervous system in general. More specifically, I am very interested in understanding the many causes and effects of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Although my research did not directly focus on these diseases, it involved basic biological research on the brain, which I believe is essential for developing a deeper understanding of these disorders and, ultimately, how they can be better studied and treated. I was also particularly drawn to the group because of its research on the choroid plexus, which I had not previously studied in depth. I found its role within the brain’s ventricles very fascinating, and I was excited by the opportunity to explore an area of neuroscience and neurobiology that was quite new to me.

What is your project about?
I am working on a smaller project related to my mentor’s research focus within the lab. My research is primarily concerned with the cilia found on the epithelial cells lining the choroid plexus in the brain’s ventricles. These cilia are particularly interesting because they are thought to play an important role in sensing and responding to the fluid environment within the brain’s ventricular system. Even more intriguing is the fact that these cilia undergo dramatic changes throughout development, transitioning from being motile to primary in adulthood. However, their function in the adult brain remains relatively poorly understood, which is the main focus of my research. To better study the function and resolve the morphology of these extremely small structures, I am combining genetic knockout approaches with expansion microscopy, a relatively novel technique that physically expands biological samples at the nanoscale. This allows structures that would otherwise be difficult to resolve using conventional light microscopy to be visualized in much greater detail.

Do you feel that Research Summer has been useful for you? 
Yes, it has been extremely useful for me. Firstly, it provided me with invaluable hands-on experience working in a research laboratory, while giving me access to an immense range of resources and expertise. Through this experience, I was not only able to develop a strong understanding of a field that I had not previously studied, but also to learn several essential laboratory techniques that will be extremely valuable for my future research. Furthermore, being assigned to a mentor who is pursuing their PhD gave me a much better, more direct, understanding of what pursuing a career in academic research entails. The Research Summer allowed me to see firsthand how research questions, experiments, and approaches are developed, tested, and ultimately refined.

Why do you think other students should take part in Research Summer? 
I think the Research Summer is an extremely well-rounded experience, combining both hands-on research and the opportunity to meet and connect with other students who share similar interests. The program allows you to gain practical experience in a research laboratory while also developing a deeper understanding of the theory behind the work you are doing. Something I particularly enjoyed related to this were the weekly lectures embedded in the program given by various professors at the Biozentrum on their research.

Is there something else you would highlight?
Beyond the research experience, the internship gives you the opportunity to meet like-minded people who are also extremely passionate about research and molecular biology. I think this combination of scientific experience and the community you build throughout the program makes the Research Summer a particularly valuable and enjoyable experience.