ESR9- PhD Journey with MGH
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I moved to Ireland to begin my PhD journey as ESR9 within the MonoGutHealth project at Teagasc. Moving to a new country with pandemic restrictions was challenging, but with the support of my supervisors, fellow students, and the welcoming nature of the Irish community, I quickly settled in and prepared for the demanding years ahead.
My PhD journey kicked off with the task of planning three experiments, six training schools, two secondments, and relevant conferences—all within a three-year timeframe. It was challenging yet exciting to plan all the research and training activities.
As I prepared for my first experiment, I had the opportunity to meet my fellow ESRs and the entire MonoGutHealth team at our first training school in Poland. Throughout the program, we met regularly at training schools in Germany, Denmark, Belgium, and at the EAAP conference in France. At these gatherings, we had the opportunity to visit each other’s institutions, get a tour of their labs and research farms, and connect with colleagues. Finally, we hosted the ESRs and the MonoGutHealth team in Ireland for the last training school and project meeting, which was a great farewell to the program.
In addition to the training schools, I undertook two secondments, one with an industrial partner, Kiernan Milling in Ireland, and another at Agroscope, a research institute in Switzerland. During my time at Kiernan Milling, I learned a lot about how a feed manufacturer operates, got the opportunity to talk to pig farmers in Ireland and visited other feed companies. These experiences provided me with valuable insights into the commercial aspects of animal nutrition and the feed industry. Furthermore, during my second secondment, I performed half of my third experiment at Agroscope, which allowed me to experience working in a different research environment with distinct husbandry conditions. By interacting with the researchers at this institute, I learned a lot about their research. It was also really nice to explore Switzerland as it is a very beautiful country, so I am grateful to have had this experience.
Of course, the majority of my PhD I spent working on my research. I conducted animal experiments, performed lab analyses, and published my studies with the guidance of my supervisors and with the help of other students at Teagasc. I presented my research at international conferences in the US, France, and the UK, each offering a unique opportunity to share and discuss my findings. This experience equipped me with valuable skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication.
Looking back, my PhD journey with MonoGutHealth was a great experience. It was filled with intensive research, diverse training, and meaningful collaborations. This experience has equipped me with a strong foundation in research and a range of transferable skills that will be helpful in my future endeavours.