Meet Amelie Schoenenwald of the Medical University of Vienna (Austria). Amelie is a second year PhD student is a member of Tim Skern's lab within Max F. Perutz Laboratories, and is on campus for the 2017 Antibody Engineering, Phage Display & Immune Repertoire Analysis course.
What are your research interests? What are you working on?
I am interested in the structure of viral envelope proteins and how to specifically diagnose a certain type of virus while avoiding cross-reactivity.
Was there something specific about the Antibody Engineering, Phage Display & Immune Repertoire Analysis course that drew you to apply?
Phage display is a very powerful and versatile technique with manifold variations for different applications. I was lacking the experience and confidence to establish this technique in my lab. Now, with the background in antibody engineering and immunology I gained during this course, I have a better understanding of how phage display can be applied and even how to troubleshoot.
What is your key takeaway from the Course?
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has always been an incubator for great ideas and a networking hub for brilliant scientists. I had the chance to interact with remarkably smart and inspiring people. This course definitely reinforced my love for science.
How many CSHL courses have you attended?
This is my first time in Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory but I would come back anytime for another course!
If someone curious in attending a future iteration of Antibody Engineering, Phage Display & Immune Repertoire Analysis course asked you for feedback or advice on it, what would you tell him/her?
The format of the course is different to most other courses. There is plenty of hands-on training which accelerates the learning process and sets an ideal framework for later application of the technique in my home institution.
What do you like most about your time at CSHL?
Our group was incredibly harmonic and family-like. Plus, I loved the horseshoe crabs!
Amelie received a scholarship from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to cover a portion of her course tuition. On behalf of Amelie, thank you to HHMI for supporting and enabling our young scientists to attend a CSHL course where they expand their skills, knowledge, and network.
Thank you to Amelie for being this week's featured visitor. To meet other featured scientists - and discover the wide range of science that takes part in a CSHL meeting or course – go here.