Janez joined the Kerschensteiner Lab on neurobiology of multiple sclerosis and was supervised by Yi-Heng Tai, a postdoctoral fellow. Yi-Heng organized the internship and made sure it was very hands-on. Each day, the focus was on a specific experiment, and the goal and approach would be discussed beforehand. "I was pleasantly surprised by the emphasis on practical tasks during my internship. As someone who learns best through hands-on experience, I found it extremely exciting and beneficial to be able to carry out procedures myself. Whether examining axons through a microscope, extracting DNA from bacteria, or performing gel electrophoresis, it was great to gain practical experience," says Janez.
"I also thought the internship was well-organized, particularly regarding how the experiments built on each other. For instance, I would extract tissue from a mouse, process, prepare, and analyze it. Being guided through these various steps was valuable because it gave me an understanding of the overall process and helped me grasp the significance of each individual step." “I wanted to show Janez that as "Rome wasn't built in a day", significant progress in science cannot be achieved overnight, but rather through gradual and consistent work. And it’s important to have a clear vision and a well-thought-out plan to guide the process,” reflects Yi-Heng.
Throughout the three weeks, Janez got a good grasp of what it means to work in a lab. He says his view on research has changed: “at the beginning of my internship, I asked what the aim of this research group was. Perhaps the development of a new, special therapy method?
In the course of the internship, I realized that research is not aimed at a specific goal, but at gaining new knowledge in general. The discoveries that are made serve primarily as a basis for further research. In this way, each scientist adds a piece of the puzzle to the overall picture,“ concludes Janez.
About Jugend forscht
Jugend forscht is Germany's best-known competition for young scientists. It encourages and supports talented achievers in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It seeks to inspire young people to become involved long-term and, after the contest, to help them with their careers. Students from the 4th grade up to the age of 21 can participate. More information: www.jugend-forscht.de
