Felicia Zlati

As part of my PhD research at Forschungszentrum Jülich in the group of Prof. Nick Wierckx, I had the opportunity to go on a three-month research visit to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Washington. My research focuses on the production of erythritol using the fungal family Ustilaginaceae.

At PNNL, I worked in the group of Scott Baker, particularly motivated by their expertise in systems analysis and bioinformatics - key tools for advancing my current focus on the erythritol biosynthetic pathway in Ustilaginaceae.

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Entrance to the PNNL campus

With its advanced facilities and experienced researchers, PNNL provided an ideal environment to deepen my understanding of pathway analysis and to gain insights that will be instrumental in my work. One of my main activities at PNNL was to perform comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analyses.

These analyses are essential for the characterization of biosynthetic pathways, as they allow a detailed examination of gene and protein expression under different conditions. With the support of my mentors and colleagues, I have made significant progress in understanding the biosynthetic steps of erythritol production. These findings have provided valuable insights that will form the basis of my upcoming experiments. Having identified promising enzyme candidates for key steps in erythritol biosynthesis, I can now further analyse them through genetic engineering.

A major benefit of working at PNNL was the opportunity to expand my methodological toolkit. I had the chance to learn new techniques for handling and studying different fungal species from those I have been working with in Jülich, enhancing my versatility and proficiency in experimental procedures. The bioinformatics tools introduced to me at PNNL were particularly valuable in streamlining my data analysis and enabling more efficient interpretation of complex data sets.

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The campus site

These skills will undoubtedly make my research more productive upon my return to my home lab in Germany. In this way, I aim to achieve a detailed characterization of erythritol synthesis in fungi, enabling the optimization of industrial production, potentially reducing costs and improving accessibility to healthier sugar alternatives for consumers.

This research visit was enriching on both a scientific and personal level. Collaborating with experts at PNNL improved my critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Working within a diverse team environment also allowed me to develop my communication and teamwork skills, which are invaluable for collaborative research.

I am confident that these skills, along with the hands-on laboratory techniques I learned, will enhance my ability to work effectively with colleagues and other scientists in my field. Experiencing the differences in working culture between the US and Germany, I realized the importance of staying flexible and open to learning, as well as how collaboration in diverse, interdisciplinary teams fosters creativity and innovation.

After returning to Germany, I am summarizing my findings and planning the next steps of my research. I look forward to applying the knowledge and methods gained during my time at PNNL to further my study of erythritol biosynthesis in Ustilaginaceae. My aim is to optimize the production process through targeted strain and process engineering, ultimately contributing to the successful completion of my PhD.

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Felicia Zlati in the control room of the B Reactor in Hanford

I now have a clearer understanding of the biosynthetic pathway, as well as an expanded set of bioinformatics tools and collaborative skills, all of which I will apply to improve my research outcomes. My experience at PNNL will certainly influence my professional path beyond the completion of my PhD. I anticipated that this stay abroad would be a challenging opportunity for personal and professional growth, but the successful experience far exceeded my expectations.

The skills I developed, the insights I gained, and the connections I made will be invaluable as I move forward in my career. The dedicated mentors and colleagues I had the pleasure of working with at PNNL have become a meaningful part of my professional network. I was fortunate to meet scientists whose creativity and passion for biotechnological sciences inspired me.

They helped me view my PhD project, and my future career, from new perspectives, generating fresh ideas. I look forward to staying in touch and hope that our paths will cross again, whether through future collaborations or other scientific opportunities.

Nicole Markwald, ARD Los Angeles

The inside of the B reactor at Hanford

Having been born in the Republic of Moldova and living in Germany for nearly a decade while pursuing my studies, I have had the chance to immerse myself in diverse cultures and environments. My curiosity to travel and my eagerness to discover new countries have taken me to various places through past travels and internships. I have always felt that the only way to truly understand a country's culture and system is to live there, even for a limited time. This was one of my motivations for spending three months in the United States as part of my doctoral studies.

Living in the US presented a mix of new perspectives and interesting contrasts to Europe. In the work environment, I noticed that the approach to work often felt more intensive, with more limited social interaction, compared to what I am used to in both Germany and Moldova. At the same time, I was thrilled to see a shared enthusiasm for science that matched the spirit I experience in Germany. Observing firsthand the high level of development in science and technology was truly exciting and reinforced my appreciation for the culture of innovation that prevails in the US.

Another aspect that stood out to me was the friendliness and open, easy-going nature of many Americans. This positive and welcoming attitude made it easier for me to adapt and feel comfortable in a foreign environment. I am grateful to my colleagues, who patiently helped me navigate the new workplace, and to my landlady, who kindly agreed to rent me a room before meeting me in person and guided me through the challenges of adapting to a new town and country.

Kai Hirdes

A corn cob infected with a type of smut fungus. The fungus grows out of the top of the cob

This quality left a lasting impression on me, and I hope to incorporate this approachability and warmth into my own interactions back in Europe. One challenge I experienced was adjusting to the "car culture" that is so common in the US. As someone who is used to getting around Europe's cities quickly and conveniently on foot or by public transport, life in the US often seemed to revolve around using a car. Fortunately, the town I lived in had a public transportation system, which I used frequently.

However, it was not very efficient, so I decided to take advantage of the good weather and commute by bike, which cut my travel time in half compared to taking the bus. Grocery shopping presented its own challenges, as there was no supermarket within walking distance of my house. Despite these small hurdles, I managed to explore Richland and the Tri-Cities area during my stay. I visited various supermarkets, restaurants, bakeries, and wineries, discovering delicious local foods and drinks.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to visit incredible sites such as the Hanford Nuclear Site of the Manhattan Project, Palouse Falls, the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Rainier National Park, and the cities of Seattle and Portland. The scholarship also allowed me to attend the SIMB conference in Boston, Massachusetts, which was an extraordinary experience.