Why did you decide to study at IMC Krems?
The main reasons why I chose to study Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems was my interest in biology, research and innovative technologies. IMC Krems gave me the opportunity to combine practical aspects with theory which increased my learning effect through hands-on experience. Lastly the strict biotechnology curriculum helped me to complete my bachelor and master degree programmes within the specified five years.
What international experience did you collect during your studies?
Studying at IMC UAS Krems enabled me to acquire very interesting international experiences. The internship during my bachelor degree programme was carried out at the Hans Will Laboratory, Heinrich Pette Institute in Hamburg while my Master internship was at the Freeman Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, USA.
In Hamburg my research focused on finding interaction partners of the SPOC1 protein which plays a role in ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is one of the most common types of Cancer in Women. In Boston the research focus was on the ABCA1 transporter, a transporter responsible for cholesterol efflux in the cell. Atherosclerosis - or hardening of the arteries, is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease.
What was your professional career after you graduated?
After graduation as MSc in 2014, I worked in multiple job positions: as a telemarketer in a marketing company geared towards the pharmaceutical industry, as an intern in a research institute, as a quality assurance manager in an international pharmaceutical company in Carinthia and as a research technician in a biotechnology start-up focused on tuberculosis research in the Vienna Bio Center.
All my workstations prepared me for the job I have now. Since 2018 I work as a Senior Technician in the Animal Vaccine production at MSD Animal Health Danube Biotech GmbH (short: MSD Krems) because MSD Krems provided me the unique opportunity to be part of the establishment of a modern "state-of-the-art" production site. Every day there is something new to learn. Plus, MSD is a leading global biopharmaceutical company that for >125 years has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases i.e. Ebola and emerging animal diseases.
Do you have a tip or a motto for life?
"When you are deciding on the next steps, next jobs, next careers, further education, you should rather find purpose than a job or career. Purpose crosses disciplines. The purpose is an essential part of you." - Chadwick Boseman.
If you had to describe IMC FH Krems in three words, what would they be?
Knowledge, innovation and dynamic
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