Meet Amgen Scholar Alumni Alexandra Imre
"...the Amgen Scholars Program (ASP) is an unparalleled opportunity for young scientists to improve their professional skills."
Host University: Institut Pasteur Home University: University of Debrecen Amgen Scholar Year: 2015 Major: Biotechnology, MSc (Master of Science degree) Expected Graduation: 2017 Academic and Professional AmbitionsWhat inspired you to major in science?
“My interest in science started as a child. I always preferred playing outside because it gave me the opportunity to observe how different organisms work in nature. I also believe that in order to understand nature and the world around us, focusing on one academic discipline is not enough, hence I am extremely interested in quantum physics and programming.”
What’s the larger significance of your Amgen Scholars research? What’s your ultimate career goal?
“For my Amgen Scholar’s project I studied the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in C. albicans. This process is one of the prerequisites for cancer development in humans, hence understanding of this mechanism is very important. I would like to pursue a Ph.D., however, since I am interested in several fields, I don’t know yet which one I’ll choose to focus on. ”
Why did you apply to the Amgen Scholars Program?
“I think the Amgen Scholars Program (ASP) is an unparalleled opportunity for young scientists to improve their professional skills. ASP prepares future scientists for the current and subsequent difficulties that mankind faces. It provides new professional and life experiences that can inspire and enable one to satisfy their curiosity, which are the two major driving forces of science. Additionally, I extremely respect the prominent work of the Pasteur Institute since its worldwide-known researchers contribute exceptionally to the evolution of science.”
What aspects of the program are you most enjoying this summer?
“I think I am very lucky that I had the opportunity to work in the Fungal Biology and Pathogenicity Unit at Institut Pasteur. My supervisor and all of the people in lab were always helpful and kind to me, and I am really grateful for the knowledge and the experience that they provided to me over the summer. I especially liked that I had opportunity to plan and execute my experiments independently. Last but not least, I liked the location of the program. Since childhood, one of my dreams was to visit Paris, and now this dream has come true.”
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