I'm not going to try and lure you in with false promises of writing more often because let's face it, I don't have the best track record when it comes to keeping things going here. But I'll have you know, it's often in the back of my mind and even though it might end up being like one of those New Year's goals that you just never get around to, I am hoping to start writing more regularly again. So I guess in the end I am trying to lure you in with false promises.
Huh.
Anyway, I think the most logical place to start is exactly where I left off. When I last wrote, I was in the midst of my final internship and mere months away from earning the title Master of Science. I'm happy to report there was no plot twist and I have officially graduated cum laude (with honors)! Despite this title, I don't feel like a master of anything. I had always envisioned ending my academic journey with a clear idea of how cancer works and what we can do to treat it. I definitely learned a lot over the years but if anything, that mental picture is more convoluted than it was when I started! Truth is we don't really understand how cancer works and our treatment methods leave a lot to be desired.
Which is why I've decided to dedicate the next four years of my life to developing a new treatment for neuroblastoma as a PhD candidate at the University Medical Center in Utrecht (click here to read more about our research group). In the past, I've focused on treatment research related to small molecules (aka: drugs). I always found the manipulation of signaling pathways within the cell so fascinating. But you know what's even more fascinating? Our immune system! Our bodies are full of cells whose sole purpose is to kill. They are constantly looking for and destroying foreign things in our bodies and believe it or not, they can even kill cancer! We literally have cancer killing machinery built into our DNA and with a little trickery, it appears that harnessing the power of our immune system could be a pretty effective treatment method. How cool is that!? I happen to think it's mindblowingly awesome and I am so excited for the adventures that the next years bring! ;)
Huh.
Anyway, I think the most logical place to start is exactly where I left off. When I last wrote, I was in the midst of my final internship and mere months away from earning the title Master of Science. I'm happy to report there was no plot twist and I have officially graduated cum laude (with honors)! Despite this title, I don't feel like a master of anything. I had always envisioned ending my academic journey with a clear idea of how cancer works and what we can do to treat it. I definitely learned a lot over the years but if anything, that mental picture is more convoluted than it was when I started! Truth is we don't really understand how cancer works and our treatment methods leave a lot to be desired.
Which is why I've decided to dedicate the next four years of my life to developing a new treatment for neuroblastoma as a PhD candidate at the University Medical Center in Utrecht (click here to read more about our research group). In the past, I've focused on treatment research related to small molecules (aka: drugs). I always found the manipulation of signaling pathways within the cell so fascinating. But you know what's even more fascinating? Our immune system! Our bodies are full of cells whose sole purpose is to kill. They are constantly looking for and destroying foreign things in our bodies and believe it or not, they can even kill cancer! We literally have cancer killing machinery built into our DNA and with a little trickery, it appears that harnessing the power of our immune system could be a pretty effective treatment method. How cool is that!? I happen to think it's mindblowingly awesome and I am so excited for the adventures that the next years bring! ;)
