Jasmina Al-Mousawi

After completing her bachelor’s and master’s studies at the University of Copenhagen in Molecular Biomedicine, Jasmina Al-Mousawi decided to do her PhD at EMBL Rome. She is now a second year PhD student in EMBL’s International PhD programme (EIPP).

How did you initially hear about the EMBL International PhD programme?

I heard about the EIPP through my thesis advisor. When I started my masters, I already had the idea that I wanted to go abroad for a PhD. We discussed potential options within the research group and this is how I got to know of EIPP. Then I met talented people who had come out of EMBL, which sparked my interest even more.

How has it been working at EMBL Rome?

Overall, it has been a good experience. I may jinx it by saying this but scientifically it has been sort-of seamless. That does not mean that all my experiments work. On the contrary, a lot of things do not work, but I feel supported in figuring out the next steps in my project. I do not have a sense of being stuck. This is because there are mechanisms at EMBL that help you; I have a fantastic group leader who I discuss with frequently and we have excellent facilities that support us.

On a more personal level, I had a lot of concerns when I made the decision to move and settling has certainly been challenging. I have grown from the experience and I can tell that there’s been a change in how I communicate, think and organize myself.

What is the best thing about being in Rome?

Food, weather and coffee! We have fantastic weather (almost) year-round. I was quite surprised about how old the city is. There is a lot to explore and I like to think about the city as an outdoor museum. It can also be challenging, for example it means that the public transport system is also old.

The best thing about EMBL is the community. The Rome unit is quite small and everybody knows everybody, making it easy to spar on problems. You don’t have to explain things from the beginning because they already know what you’re working on. It feels homey. For example, I frequently discuss with a student from one of the other labs, who has a background in computer science and is learning how to do wet-lab experiments. My case is the opposite, I have an experimental background and am learning data analysis, and the knowledge exchange is extremely useful. I think the community is a really big part of being at EMBL.

I also want to mention the EMBL facilities here, who do a phenomenal job supporting us. They make it possible for us to tackle a problem from different angles because they provide the frameworks for different experimental techniques, such as microscopy, Next Generation Sequencing and genetic editing. The facilities make sure that the approaches are set up and standardized, and then you can focus on tacking problems that are more project specific.

What has been your best memory since starting the International PhD Programme?

The best memory so far has been making new friends across EMBL sites and cultures. EMBL has six sites distributed throughout Europe, exposing you to more than one culture. The largest site is in Heidelberg, Germany and you get an inside of both places by being in Rome. Additionally, as an international organization you get exposed to a lot of cultures, different mindsets and people who challenge your thinking. I think that is really great. In the beginning of the PhD, there is a three-month course that everybody takes, regardless of which site you do your PhD in. This means everybody starts together and you get to meet and make friends with students from the other EMBL sites.

Are there any challenges?

I think that any PhD, regardless of field or place, will be challenging. In my particular case, settling was difficult for multiple reasons. For example, communication was difficult in the beginning because many locals do not speak English. EMBL supports you in this by providing language classes. Last year, I was taking Italian classes and now I can understand what is happening around me and that is already a big help.

I also had this idea that I would come straight from my masters, where towards the end I was very productive, and continue at the same speed on my PhD. That was not the case. I had to slow down and take time to readjust. Things have worked out, with help from my supportive colleagues.

The EIPP states that it wants to: “provide comprehensive interdisciplinary training, maintaining a careful balance between theory and practice, close mentoring and creative freedom, collaborative teamwork and independence”, do you think that the EIPP lives up to that?

EMBL and the EIPP provide a framework for scientific and professional training, for example by providing courses and/or individual training. It is up to you as a student to decide which skills to prioritize in your PhD and sign up for specific training. This makes every experience is unique.

Being at EMBL is a good way of getting exposure to the international scientific community. For me, this has been key. Being in an international environment challenges your thinking and forces you to come up with solutions that you had not thought of before. Being in a new environment has certainly boosted my problem-solving skills.

The Boskovic Group, where Jasmina is working, is currently looking for a new PhD students.