Testimonials
I think this specialisation is important because there is a lot about microbes that we don't know.
- Previous education
- Master's Molecular Biology and Cytogenetics at Universidad de Alcalá
- Programme
- Microbiology
- Country of previous education
- Spain
- Study start date
What do you like about the programme/specialisation and why?
What I like about Microbiology is that we can focus in our studies on what we like. Some students like Environmental Microbiology and others, like me, like Medical Microbiology more. I also really like that two internships are included in the master's program because this way I can specialize in the field that I like, and learn of researchers of different institutes in the Netherlands or any part of the world who I can have projects with and who can supervise my work. The specialization has challenged me in using English as a primary language. I am from Panama and I have a Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology which I studied in Spanish. Therefore, communicating in English and doing oral exams and presentations in this language was challenging, but possible. It was one of the reasons I decided to follow this Master's programme at Radboud University as well.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
The atmosphere in the classroom was beyond my expectations. You meet people from all around the world. For instance, I became friends with classmates from Nepal, Spain, India, Iran, and the Netherlands. The relationship with teachers is really good. From the first class on, you get details about how the programme is oriented and you can ask them whatever questions you have without any problem. The same goes for the researchers from Radboud University and Radboudumc. In the end, these relationships really helped me with getting supervisors for my first internship and my review article.
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s specialisation?
Yes, I did. I encountered two challenging situations during the first 6 months of the master's. First, after the compulsory courses, you are recommended to start your first internship. This was difficult for me because I am interested in Medical Microbiology and specifically Virology. I wanted to work with viruses, so difficulty in finding an internship led to a little stress in the beginning. I did not find one at Radboud University or Radboudumc. Concerning this obstacle, I recommend students to start looking for possible internships when they are starting the master's. I suggest sending cover letters and CVs, or even emails to researchers as soon as possible. However, this might not be an obstacle for other students. As I said, starting your first internship immediately is a recommendation and some students decide to take more courses and wait for an internship opportunity, which it is another thing that I like about the master's: its flexibility and how you can adjust it to your two years schedule.
Are you currently doing an internship? Or what is your thesis about?
After all of that experience, I have now two confirmed internships opportunities. I will start my first 6-months internship in the United States about human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and its immunology in March 2020. I also did a Review Article about the actual biomarkers for HPV and its progression from infection to cancer, with the collaboration of the Medical Microbiology Department in the Radboudumc. Moreover, after I get back from the United States in September 2020, I am planning to do my second internship at the Department of Medical Microbiology at the Radboudumc. I will be studying the relationship between the microbiome and HPV carcinogenesis.
Why do you think is it important that there are people out there with this degree?
I think this specialization is important because there is a lot about microbes that we don't know. From bacterias and archaea in the deep ocean to fungi causing diseases, and viruses outbreaks around the world. We need to be prepared and try to clarify how these microorganisms can be useful and harmful to humanity. After I get my master's degree, I would like to start a PhD programme at the Radboudumc, Nijmegen. I really like the institute, the city, the culture, and the country. I hope that everything goes fine and I get the opportunity to continue my studies here in the Netherlands.
Microbes are super interesting, are (almost) everywhere, and can have immense impact on all different kinds of organisms.
- Previous education
- Bachelor (HBO), biology and medical laboratory research, NHL/Stenden/Van Hall Larenstein
- Programme
- Microbiology
- Study start date
What I like about the programme/specialisation is that I feel like I've learned a lot more theory and background knowledge compared to my previous education. During my previous education I've learned to do more practical stuff in combination with theory. However, this specialisation has challenged me to think deeper and further into the matter and really put my knowlegde to the test. This is something I'm really enjoying, since both a broad and specific kind of knowlegde in microbiology is very useful, especially for my future career.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
I really enjoy the atmosphere in class. Since microbiology is not a huge specialisation (regarding how many people are allowed in), you really get to know each other. Both students and teachers, which I've found helpful and supporting to know you're not just a number but the teachers/researchers also actually know who you are.
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s (specialisation)? Have you encountered any obstacles?
The most challenging in my Master's specialisation was the amount of knowledge which was required, having to learn a lot of matter in a short time. I actually passed the compulsory courses in one go, but at the beginning of the first year I definitely was not sure if I would be able to.
Are you currently doing an internship? Or what is your thesis about?
I am currently performing an internship, which is on the medical microbiology side. We are looking at risk factors for infection of prosthetic material in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.
Why do you think is it important that there are people out there with this degree? What are your plans once have received your Master's degree?
I think it's important that there are people out there with this degree because it's a very specialised area and there aren't a lot of people with this kind of expertise. Microbes are super interesting and are (almost) everywhere, and they can have immense impact on all different kinds of organisms. Once I have my master's degree, I plan on either going into research or into more of an advisory role.
I would like to work in a company where I can help to make a difference using smart biotechnological applications.
- Previous education
- Biotechnology at the University of Salamanca
- Programme
- Microbiology
- Country of previous education
- Spain
Ana Rios Miguel studied Biotechnology at the University of Salamanca in Spain. “In secondary school, I became interested in biology and especially in how cells function. That’s why I chose to go to university to study Biotechnology. It’s a mix of biology and technology, to invent applications of biomaterial via engineering, in order to fight environmental pollution, for example.”
That’s also why Ana Rios Miguel ended up at Microbiology: “Microbes, or bacteria, eat everything and can grow in any condition. That’s fascinating. I wanted to know how this is possible and how it works. In order to do that, I needed to conduct fundamental research.”
Master's programme Radboud University
Ana Rios Miguel wanted to do this research in English and thus outside of Spain. “The research programme in the Netherlands is exactly what I was looking for. I finished the Master’s programme and started a PhD at the department of Microbiology at Radboud University in Nijmegen.”
She became a part of the team researching how bacteria can break down the waste in wastewater treatment plants. Quite necessary, as 140 tonnes of chemicals end up in our water systems every year. Because it’s not possible to purify everything yet, the remains end up in the environment via the wastewater. Examples are pesticides, beauty products, and medicines.
Microbiology: bacteria clean wastewater
“We know that bacteria break down pollution”, says Ana Rios Miguel. “But how does it happen? Does the concentration of pollution influence the speed and thoroughness of bacteria cleaning the water? We research this with common pollution, such as paracetamol, metformin and diclofenac.”
“In our lab, we fed bacteria medicine and tested whether they can remove high concentrations more easily than low concentrations. It turns out that higher concentrations speed up the removal. Additional research has to show if higher concentrations also improve the percentage of removal. We also found that a specific gene in the bacteria enables them to break down paracetamol for example. The ultimate goal is that the results lead to a model that represents the influence of bacteria on purification of water. Using that model, bacteria can be employed more efficiently in the future.”
Practically-oriented job
Research is never finished, as Ana Rios Miguel also knows. “Conducting academic research is exciting, but I’m looking for a job that’s practically-oriented. Preferably in the Netherlands, because my partner works in Nijmegen. I would like to work at a company where I can help to make a difference with smart biotechnological applications. Such as employing microbes to prevent environmental pollution.”
“Ideally, these substances don’t occur in the water environment. Until then, bacteria can be a great aid in fighting the pollution and research is needed.”
This interview was first published on TechGelderland. Images: Linda Verweij.
I am fascinated by the fact that we have not yet described many of small molecules in humans and bacteria. There is a lot of new discoveries to be made!
- Nationality
- Nederlandse
- Programme
- Microbiology
Could you introduce yourself?
I am Robert Jansen, researcher at the Department of Microbiology. However, my education was not in microbiology. After completing a degree in Pharmacy (1998), doctoral research at the Slotervaart hospital and a postdoc at the Netherlands Cancer Institute, I only started working with bacteria at Cornell University in New York (2015). I coordinate the first-year Bachelor's course in Microbiology, but I am also involved in courses within the Master's specialisation in Microbiology.
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
The common thread throughout my research career is the use of LC-MS metabolomics. This is a technique that can measure small molecules in cells and organisms. I am fascinated by the fact that we have not yet described many of these molecules in humans and bacteria. So there is a lot of new discovery to be made!
What are you currently researching?
With my group, we measure small molecules in bacteria in humans and in nature. To give an example, we conduct research on the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. With this, we are trying to better understand the role of known and unknown molecules.
What do you enjoy most about working with students? And what tip do you have for students who are making their study choices?
Working with enthusiastic students keeps me young! Follow your passion and don't worry too much about a job.
I really like the fact that despite the Master's in Microbiology being very specific, the internship (and work) opportunities are very broad.
- Previous education
- Biologie en Medisch Laboratorium Onderzoek (Avans Hogeschool, Breda)
- Programme
- Microbiology
- Study start date
- Study end date
What do you like about the programme/specialisation and why? How has the programme/specialisation challenged you (in relation to your previous education)?
The Master's in Microbiology gives a nice overview of microbiological research in both the medical and environmental sectors. I myself have more experience with research in the medical sector through my previous education (Bachelor's degree in biology and medical laboratory research, Avans Hogeschool in Breda). That is precisely why it is interesting to see other sides of microbiology. This has also made me think about possible next steps after my studies.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
There is mutual respect between tutor and student and tutors are very approachable. There is a safe atmosphere during lessons, which encourages asking questions. But teachers are also easy to reach outside lessons via e-mail and on location. The atmosphere between students is also very good. In a short time, I have managed to build up a very good friendship with a number of fellow students. It is especially nice that many people have different backgrounds but everyone has the same interests, which makes it easy to make contact.
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s (specialisation)? Have you encountered any obstacles?
With the writing assignments in particular, it is important to make a tight schedule and to stick to it. During the Master's, you are responsible for your own progress, so you have to work hard to complete it within two years. You can also choose to take three years, for instance. I myself have been studying for a longer time now because of my prior education, and therefore choose to complete the study within two years but this requires discipline. I myself benefited a lot from the study information point (STIP), where Conny (Biology study coordinator) helped me with my planning.
Are you currently doing an internship? Or what is your thesis about?
I chose to do one internship within medical microbiology and one internship within environmental microbiology to get a more complete picture of the possibilities with this Master's degree. For my first internship, I researched humoral immunity to Neisseria at the RIVM in Bilthoven. I am doing my second internship at MNEXT in Breda, where I am researching the relationship between stress in fungi and the production of pure mycelium materials (as a replacement for animal leather, for example). I really like the fact that despite the Master's in Microbiology being very specific, the internship (and work) opportunities are very broad. In addition, I also like the fact that Radboud encourages looking for internships outside the university, this was a reason for me to choose Radboud and not a master's elsewhere that I had also been taken on.
Why do you think it is important that there are people with this degree? What are your plans once you have received your Master's degree?
I really enjoy doing research, but you often need a Master's to actually draw conclusions from your own experiments. To get more challenge from work, I chose to do a Master's. This has also given me the option of doing a PhD after completing my studies. It is precisely because of this challenge that I am able to solve complex problems, enabling me to make a good contribution to enriching knowledge that can be used in society.