What was it like completing your Ph.D. at the Graduate School of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research?

Completing my Ph.D. at the Stowers Institute was wonderful! Everything started with amazing assistance from the Stowers Graduate School staff. The staff was accommodating and made sure everything ran smoothly when it came to interviews and the opportunity to visit Kansas City and the Institute, which can be difficult, especially when coming from Europe.

What did you find most beneficial about the program?

Once I was accepted and the classes started, it was very easy to dive into the atmosphere of scientific discovery at the Institute. The organization of the modules allows you to experience many different scientific topics and lab environments. Each module includes intensive classes about a different subject every other week during a semester. The module system also made it convenient to get to know the Principal Investigators, postdocs, and other students at the Institute.

Additionally, the social environment facilitated by different events like Friday Science Club and Tuesday dinners provided the opportunity to meet people and stay in touch constantly. This was very useful to promote discussions about your scientific ideas, thesis problems, and life at the Stowers Institute!

The Wednesday Lecture Series, where speakers from outside the Institute were invited to present on various topics, was a very convenient approach to get a different perspective and hear from professionals outside the Institute.

Lastly, financial aid for attending scientific conferences greatly helps to broaden your horizons. All of this is extremely important when it comes to making new discoveries, learning scientific methods, and how to approach a scientific problem.