Testimonial: NORPOD Fellow Sara Palomino Echeverria visits NCMBM
Sara Palomino Echeverria is part of the first cohort of NORPOD Fellows, the joint postdoctoral programme of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine.
She began her fellowship in autumn 2024, working between Anniina Färkkilä's group at FIMM in Helsinki and Mariike Kuijjer's group at NCMBM in Oslo. Her project "Unveiling the spatial regulation of chemoresistance in ovarian cancer" combines both groups’ expertise in ovarian cancer research and in computational approaches to study regulatory networks.
During her recent visit to NCMBM, Sara sat down with us to share what the experience has been like so far.
On the host lab experience
What has been the most valuable aspect of spending time at NCMBM as your host lab, and how has it complemented the work you do at FIMM?
My work consists of computational analysis, so it is of course a big advantage to be able to work from anywhere. We are also more and more used to online and hybrid meetings, however despite all of that, nothing compares to in-person interactions.
There is nothing that can be compared to physical meetings. A screen is so cold!
I already knew all the colleagues at NCMBM, but having the possibility to simply knock on a door and discuss science makes things so much more straightforward, and it helps build a better relationship with your colleagues. I also had the opportunity to attend the NCMBM retreat, and it was wonderful to interact with other researchers. They bring fresh ideas to my research and open up the creation of entirely new networks.
On the NORPOD programme
As a member of the first NORPOD cohort, how has the programme helped you build new collaborations, skills, or perspectives across the Nordic EMBL Partnership network?
I feel really grateful for this opportunity. It allows you to have an international experience across two Nordic countries and to build a deep connection between two research groups. In my case, connecting Finnish experts in gynaecological cancer with Norwegian experts in bioinformatics tools is allowing me to strengthen skills from complementary fields.
This programme is helping me grow in working in multidisciplinary environments, and it is an amazing opportunity to grow as a researcher.
In addition, NORPOD facilitates the development of broader skills such as scientific communication and leadership, and encourages attending conferences and courses. It truly is an exceptional platform for any researcher looking to expand both their scientific and professional horizons.
About NORPOD
The NORPOD Postdoctoral Programme is the flagship training initiative of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, funded by NordForsk. Designed to foster the next generation of scientists, it provides postdocs with unique opportunities to work across borders, combining expertise, technologies, and mentorship from leading research environments in the Nordic region.
As part of this ambitious programme, fellows pursue cutting-edge projects while experiencing the collaborative spirit and scientific excellence that define the Nordic EMBL Partnership.