Fátima Itzel Trejo Arroyo, a Mexican Master student from the Bio & Pharmaceutical Materials Science Erasmus Mundus Program (BioPham) at the University of Lille, France, conducted a research internship at the Molecular Biomaterials group in June and July, working under the supervision of Carlos Redondo, a Postdoctoral fellow in the group.
During these two months working in the lab, Fátima learned about new material characterisation techniques and self-assembling amphiphilic peptides, enriching her background in pharmaceutical chemistry while also providing a clearer and more tangible understanding of theoretical concepts. This experience guided her decision to specialise in Soft Matter within the BioPham Programme, where the soft and hard skills she acquired will be immensely valuable.
According to Fátima, the I3S and the Molecular Biomaterials group were undoubtedly a bridge to reconnect with her passion for research and contributed to her professional and personal growth. She was pleasantly surprised by the institute’s organizational system, which enables PhD students and researchers to attend cutting-edge seminars led by renowned international and local researchers, and easily collaborate on interdisciplinary projects. She also considers that the institute’s multiple services facilitate achieving high-quality results and enriching scientific knowledge.
From a personal perspective, Fátima thoroughly enjoyed her time at I3S, especially with the hosting group. The multidisciplinary and multicultural team welcomed her warmly making her feel at home. In addition to her academic learning, she gained invaluable insights into the local culture, broadening her personal perspective, enriching her scientific interest, and sharpening her professional focus.
In Fátima’s words “I am also grateful for the opportunity to represent capable young individuals from Latin America. As I continue to inspire more young women from my home country to pursue STEM careers, I am also excited about the potential to foster future collaborations between Mexico and Portugal, with joint projects that bridge the expertise and innovation of both countries.”
Thank you Fátima for your valuable contributions. Best of luck with your professional future!
