"All PhD students should have this experience" at PubhD Coimbra to "look at topics differently and realise the impact they have".
Rodrigo Ribeiro is a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences who integrates the Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology at the University of Coimbra. In the April issue of PubhD Coimbra, he talked about his topic, "Setting the (biological) clock: An innovative strategy to combat neurodegenerative diseases".
Why did you decide to participate in PubhD Coimbra?
I think it's an exciting initiative. I like my research topic, and I'm a bit suspicious about it, but I think it's good to explain things in simple terms because that's the only way we can understand them. I thought it would be a very interesting challenge to try to explain what we do in the laboratory to the general public.
How was your experience in this edition of PubhD Coimbra?
I enjoyed it. I think the questions were fascinating. They are always out of the box. They are about things that, as we are so focused on the practical side, we don't think about daily, and they generate exciting discussions. In the end, several people came to talk to me about projects that, linked to other areas but involving neurodegenerative diseases, developed fascinating talks.
Would you advise other colleagues to participate?
I think all PhD students should have this experience to look at issues differently and understand their impact on everyday life and the community at large.