Alba Arranz
Tell us something about your background.
I did a BSc in Biotechnology at University of León (Spain) and I spent the last year of my Bachelor studies at Nottingham Trent University as part of the Erasmus program. After that, I completed a MSc in Microbiology at Complutense University of Madrid and I conducted the master thesis at the National Centre of Microbiology (ISCIII, Madrid, Spain).
Tell us a bit about your PhD project in OXYTRAIN and your research interests.
My project in OXYTRAIN: New cofactor-independent dioxygenases to interfere with quorum sensing and thus virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
My scientific interests
I am passionate about science and after obtaining my Bachelor I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in science.
My research interests focus on microbiology. In this regard, I am particularly interested on the interactions that occur within the microbial communities and how these modulate their virulence and survival.
What do you expect from OXYTRAIN?
I believe that being able to form part of this network will be a step-forward in my career. Besides from the development of new technical skills, this network will give us the opportunity to be able to gain complementary skills in many different areas.
Furthermore, I am particularly interested on the international approach of the network. In this sense, it seems to me that conducting a PhD in this environment is an additional motivation.
What do you like to do in your free time, your hobbies, interests, what motivates you.
In my spare time, I enjoy doing some sport, such as swimming, yoga or pilates. I also love travelling and getting to know new cultures and new types of food. Besides, I consider myself a creative person and I really enjoy painting, drawing and anything related with graphical arts. On a personal note, I love cooking and I enjoy hanging around my family and friends around the table and simply live the moment.