• Period of stay: 8 June to 27 July 2025

Report

This summer, I had the privilege of attending the Physiology Course at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts (June 8–July 27, 2025), an experience that was both scientifically intense and personally transformative.

Over seven weeks, I took part in inspiring lectures and three immersive lab rotations, each with its own project. Working alongside 25 other participants from universities across Europe and the US, I learned how to approach research problems with sharper focus, make the most of time and resources, and collaborate effectively with new teams in fast-paced, high-pressure settings. The networking opportunities were equally invaluable, opening up fresh perspectives and the chance to forge lasting connections.

Beyond the laboratory, the course fostered a strong sense of community. We went whale watching, joined a science-themed parade on the Fourth of July, and proudly won the annual Physiology vs. Embryology softball match. These moments reminded me that science thrives just as much on curiosity and rigor as it does on camaraderie and joy.

The knowledge I acquired during this in-depth, project-based training programme, while collaborating with a global group, has been tremendously beneficial to me in the concluding phases of my dissertation in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Vienna and will also be advantageous for my future career.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisors, Franco Laccone (Medical University of Vienna) and Winfried Neuhaus (Austrian Institute of Technology), for their invaluable support and encouragement. I would also like to thank the VDS-PhaNuSpo and Marine Biological Laboratory for their support through the mobility grant programs, which made this extraordinary experience possible.