A Researcher Born To Be

by Eline Kruithof

Doing research already appealed to Astrid van der Geest during high school. Early on in her bachelor鈥檚 at 木瓜福利影视 College, she knew that she wanted to continue in the neuroscience field. Her dedication would eventually lead her to the PhD she is doing now in the group of Jeroen Pasterkamp at the UMCU, where she focuses on genes involved in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Astrid chose her master Neuroscience and Cognition partly because it includes two internships. During her bachelor鈥檚 she wasn鈥檛 prepared for practical work in the lab at all. 鈥淚 had never held a pipette before my master鈥檚鈥, says Astrid. By doing the two internships, she wanted to find out if the lab work suited her. Furthermore, she was very positive about the teachers involved in the master鈥檚, from which she already had classes during her bachelor鈥檚.

Astrid was very enthusiastic and dedicated in her internships. She regretted that she had to let go of the topic after nine months of hard work, whereas many of her friends felt relieved that those nine months were finally over. 鈥淚 just started to develop the feeling that I was able to contribute鈥, says Astrid. She realized that a long-term project did not scare her off, on the contrary. That鈥檚 how she got the idea of doing a PhD.

I just started to develop the feeling that I was able to contribute

Astrid van der Geest, PhD candidate UMC

In her PhD, Astrid focuses on ALS and looks at the genes associated with this disease. Patient derived cells are genetically modified in order to 鈥榗ure鈥 the cells. 鈥淲e do this by taking away the genetic alteration that the patients carry,鈥 Astrid says. She grows brain organoids using these cells. 鈥淲e investigate the effect of these genetically modified cells on the organoids. For example, we look whether the organoids turn out to be forebrain or midbrain, what kind of neurons will develop and whether the necessary supporting cells are present鈥欌.

Neuroscience related illnesses have an extensive impact on people鈥檚 lives, Astrid believes. The ability to help society by contributing to the knowledge about these illnesses motivates her to do this research.

Working in an ambitious and young environment is motivating as well. She enjoys the freedom to carry out ideas in the short run. She feels like she's in the right spot.