“I would recommend this stay to those who want to work in a friendly, stimulating, and interdisciplinary environment”
Anna Salvian, a second year PhD student at the University of Surrey (Guildford, UK), talks about her stay research at IMDEA Water. Ms. Salvian studied Food Science and Technology at the University of Udine (Italy) and did a master’s in food science for Innovation and Authenticity at the University of Bozen (Italy) with a specialization in Applied Engineering and Genetics. She has been working within the Bioe Group from February 27th to May 27th, 2023.
What does the research you do consist of?
I am currently working on the development of a real-time, self-powered biosensor for the analysis of organic contaminants in wastewater, which will be useful for optimizing wastewater treatment processes.
Why did you choose IMDEA Water for an internship?
I chose the institute because it is a public and well-known institution hosting Bioe Group, one of the biggest research groups in Europe specialized on bioelectrochemistry and wastewater treatment.
Have you achieved the goals you were hoping to during your internship?
I did! I have progressed even more than expected. Some of the cutting-edge technologies available in the lab helped me to speed up the data gathering process. Also, the experienced researchers in the group gave me many insights to conduct quick, complete, and precise data analysis.
Have you collaborated with other researchers at the IMDEA Water Institute?
I started working on one project in collaboration with other two PhD students (Ms. Sara Mozo Pacheco and Ms. Daniela Torruella Salas) which involves the use of 3D-printing live cells in my biosensor, and we already obtained promising preliminary results, which is very exciting. The environment in IMDEA gave me the possibility to exchange ideas with other researchers and convert these ideas into concreate projects that will help to shape a brighter and more sustainable future.
To whom would you recommend this stay?
I would recommend this stay to those students or researchers who want to work in a friendly, stimulating, and interdisciplinary environment and want to learn more on how to develop sustainable technologies using microbial and electrochemical methods.
