Bay Area expedition for future collaborations
02 September 2024
Forum Scientium graduate school's annual study visit is an event designed to broaden the academic and professional networks of its students. This year, the focus was on the Bay Area, a region recognised by Linköping University’s Internationalisation Office as a strategic area for collaboration.
The visit’s primary goal was to expose PhD students to the many post-doctoral opportunities available in this area, renowned for innovation, particularly in Palo Alto, which shares a special bond with Linköping as a sister city.
Tech hub and academic power house
The Bay Area is not only a hub for technological advancement but also an academic powerhouse, with Stanford University at its core. The university is home to the Wallenberg Center and offers annually the desirable Stanford-Wallenberg scholarship for postdocs. This initiative is part of Forum Scientium’s effort to inspire its PhD students to aspire to these prestigious scholarships.
The trip was made possible through the generous financial support of the Faculty of science and technology, Forum Scientium's largest contributor, along with equal contributions from the Faculty of medicine and health sciences, the Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), and the Rector's office. The Internationalisation Office facilitated a connection with VINNOVA’s Nordic Innovation House in Palo Alto, where a ceremony and a panel discussion provided insights into the experiences of Scandinavians living and working in Palo Alto, including starting new ventures.
The delegation was accompanied by Forum Scientium alumnus and Stanford-Wallenberg scholarship recipient, now Assistant Professor Onur Parlak, who helped arrange a
Well-filled itinerary
The group’s itinerary included visits to renowned labs and companies such as UCSF, Berkeley, Stanford, the Stanford-Wallenberg Center, VINNOVA Nordic Innovation House, Genentech, and Navan Technologies. A standout experience was the visit to the Chief Forensic Office, where the group learned about the local efforts to tackle the considerable challenges of drug addiction and homelessness in San Francisco. The trip also included a visit to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, adding a cultural dimension to the experience.
Promise of continued collaboration
The hope is that this visit will lead to ongoing interactions between the Bay Area entities and Forum Scientium’s PhD students, potentially resulting in exchanges or post-doctoral applications after graduation. An open invitation has been extended for Principal Investigators and students from the Bay Area to visit Linköping for talks and lab visits, with the anticipation of nurturing these relationships over the coming year. Forum Scientium looks forward to hearing about the continued collaborations and opportunities that may arise from this enriching experience.
Members' stories
Amaia Beatriz Ortega Santos
Stanford, in the heart of Silicon Valley, along with Berkeley and UCSF, are renowned for their outstanding research and scientific excellence, so naturally, my expectations were high regarding the scientific research I would encounter. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the extensive effort they put into organising our visits, which included lab tours, discussions, and even in situ experiments. It was also heartening to see their genuine interest in our work.
The board of Forum Scientium (FS), particularly Rozalyn Simon, had already identified several groups that would be suitable for FS students. I reviewed their research and selected the ones that aligned with my interests. As I was hosting one of the visits, I also explored the website of the group I was responsible for. Additionally, for two of the visits, we were asked to present our research. I prepared a slide summarising my projects and a short elevator pitch about my research.
I decided to join this study trip because I believed it was a unique opportunity. Silicon Valley and its surrounding universities create a symbiotic environment, making it a special place in the world. Whether or not someone is interested in pursuing a postdoc there, having these doors open was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Beyond the academic visits, we participated in several activities that helped us bond with our FS colleagues, fostering collaboration between different departments within LiU.
The trip as a whole was memorable, but the round table at the Nordic House of Innovation was particularly inspiring for me. Listening to one of the participants, I realised how seamlessly industry and research intertwine in this region. There’s no need to choose one side; you can move back and forth between them as often as you like. They complement and nourish each other.
The idea of applying for fellowship had been in the back of my mind before the visit, and after the study trip, I am seriously considering it. I still need to thoroughly review the groups at Stanford (and also MIT) and their current research. If I find a good match, I will apply for the fellowship.
Amanda Feldt
As a PhD student with a background in nursing, I initially hesitated to join this trip, thinking it would be challenging to find a study visit that aligned with my interests. However, the diverse range of study visits offered something for everyone, which ultimately convinced me to participate.
Each day, we had the opportunity to choose from several different study visits, and I must say, this trip exceeded my expectations. I was inspired by the various labs we visited, their innovative solutions to research problems, and their “out of the box” thinking. These experiences sparked new research questions and ideas for clinical studies.
One of the highlights was visiting Sharon Petteri’s lab, where I gained advanced knowledge in proteomics. Another memorable visit was to Joseph DeSimon’s lab, which showcased cutting-edge 3D printing technology. The study visit to the Office of The Chief Medical Examiner with Professor Luke Rodda was particularly impressive. I was amazed by the kindness and generosity of these busy, advanced researchers.
However, what made the greatest impact on me on this trip was the realisation about the unlimited possibilities for international collaboration, even as a PhD student. Initially, I was hesitant to consider international opportunities due to my family commitments. But the visit to the Stanford Wallenberg Center and Nordic Innovation House demonstrated that it is possible to travel with family. This insight has opened up new possibilities for my future research endeavours.
Hanne Biesmans
I was excited about the Bay Are study trip, as its schedule promised a wealth of opportunities. I was set to visit at least two leading research groups in our field, and I was eager to explore their labs, engage with the researchers, and learn about their groundbreaking work. Beyond these groups, I was fortunate to visit several other fascinating research teams, even though they were outside my immediate field of study. These visits, in particular, pushed me out of my comfort zone and provided invaluable learning experiences.
To make the most of this trip, I thoroughly researched the groups I would be visiting, ensuring I was well-prepared. The trip proved to be immensely rewarding, both scientifically and personally. We had the chance to talk with numerous post-docs who currently work or have worked in the Bay Area. Their willingness to share their experiences and answer our countless questions offered me a deeper understanding of what it means to work in this vibrant research environment.
The trip also allowed me to explore various campuses, giving me a genuine feel for the place. Before this study trip, I had never considered applying for a post-doc position in the US. However, this experience has significantly shifted my perspective, and I am now seriously contemplating the possibility.
Darta Stalberga
Why did I decide to go? Firstly, I had never been to the US before, and visiting Stanford was an opportunity too good to pass up. Secondly, I was eager to learn! It’s rare to see how researchers’ careers unfold after their PhDs, especially those who move abroad to competitive places like Stanford. I was excited to meet the people and researchers there.
The study visits were fantastic! It was incredibly motivating to see passionate researchers who are excited to go to work every day, especially those involved in start-ups striving to make their mark. Hearing about the Wallenberg grant support for young scientists and meeting the people behind the scholarship was a great experience. Their values and trust in young scientists were truly inspiring. Other study visits, like the one to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, were equally impressive.
As I am still at the beginning of my PhD studies, it’s hard to say where my research will lead me. However, this experience has shown me the wonderful opportunities available, and it’s something all PhD students should be aware of. For now, I’ll see where my research journey takes me.
Diana Atanasova
I was thrilled to find out that our study visit would be in the Bay Area. My curiosity about Stanford University and the potential post-doc opportunities or collaborations it might offer drove my decision to participate. I was particularly interested in connecting with a research group in my field, so I organised study visits accordingly.
Visiting Stanford University was an incredible experience. I signed up for study visits at various labs, primarily at Stanford. We also had the chance to explore the impressive campus. The vast campus area and the close collaboration between the university and some of the world’s leading companies and start-ups were particularly striking with the strong academic-corporate relationship.
One of the biggest highlights of the visit was learning about the Stanford-Wallenberg fellowship and meeting many Swedish professionals working at Stanford and in Palo Alto. This introduction was both fascinating and inspiring, adding immense value to the overall experience.