“In Romania when we think about top medical research we always think of Heidelberg first”
Dr Emilia Maria Patrut, Medic at Iuliu Hatieganu University in Cluj-Napoca/Romania
From 2003 to 2005 plus 2008 Research Fellow and Doctoral Candidate at Medical Faculty Heidelberg
When, how long and in what position did you stay at Heidelberg University?
I stayed at Heidelberg University first time between July 2003 and June 2005. I went there as a research fellow for a project on immunotherapy in the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, in a laboratory belonging to the Department of Surgery. The initial period was one year. The project was successful and in June 2004 I was offered the possibility to prolong my work on the project for another year. Also then I decided to do a doctoral thesis and I matriculated as a doctoral student at the University of Heidelberg. Then in 2008, I had the chance to work for another period of eight months as a researcher in the same lab.
Why did you decide in favour of the Ruperto Carola?
Heidelberg University has been well known for the high quality of its biomedical research since long time, so it was not difficult at all to decide. In Romania when we think about top medical research in Europe we always think of Heidelberg first. Studying there has always been considered a great achievement.
What have you learned in Heidelberg? What experiences have been particularly valuable?
It was a great experience, it was in many ways my first contact with the fundamental biomedical research. I’ve learned many things about cell culture, tumor genetics and immunology, immunotherapy in cancer. I’ve learned about working in a research laboratory with an international team.
What did you like best about being in Heidelberg? What suggestions would you have for improvements?
I had the opportunity to work in a relatively small but international team, people coming from very different backgrounds, with different professional experience, but all very well prepared in their field and also very friendly. We could share experience – life and professional, we could learn from each other. It was just fine for the time being, I can’t imagine how it could have been better.
How did your career continue after your time in Heidelberg?
I’ve returned in Romania, where the doctoral title obtained in Heidelberg helped me to get a position at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca. I now work in the surgery department of a university hospital where we teach general surgery to the 3rd and 4th year medical students of the Romanian and English sections of the university.
What is your view of the German scientific system in comparison to that of your home country or to that of other countries where you may have conducted research?
It’s very difficult to compare the German scientific system to that in Romania. The quality of biomedical research depends nowadays a lot on the funding allocated. In Germany researchers can benefit from a more developed and established system, as expected – funding is better, with much more possibilities for external funding than in Romania. This makes the German research system more decentralized.
In your opinion, what is the importance of international exchanges for researchers?
It’s obviously very important to have the possibility to go abroad for scientific research. Living and working in another environment, with people who have different opinions and professional backgrounds enriches your personal experience.
Do you recommend a research visit to Heidelberg University to your students or to colleagues in your scientific network?
Teaching surgery also to the 3rd and 4th year medical students of the English section, I have the opportunity to work with many foreign students every year. During the past several years many of them come from Germany and after graduation return to Germany. I always recommend to the most valuable of my students to get involved in scientific research when they go back and, as a great opportunity of doing that, to try to find a doctoral candidate position at Heidelberg University.
