Léa Berland testimonial : internship at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston

As a student in dual curriculum (medical and scientific studies) at the Faculty of Medicine of Nice and at the INSERM Liliane Bettencourt School, I had the opportunity to carry out two research internships. My first choice was Professor Hofman’s laboratory without hesitation. I was able to discover their projects during the courses of the Master Biopathology directed by Pr Ilié at the Faculty of Medicine, and I was immediately enthusiastic about the interest and quality of the research conducted in their laboratory. Professor Ilié became my mentor in the laboratory and introduced me to the world of research.

At the Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology (LPCE), I learned the essential skills that allow me to thrive in my new projects today. Indeed, thanks to Professor Hofman’s help and recommendations, I am currently doing my internship at the MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER in Houston (USA). I am fortunate to be able to work with Professor Calin’s team on the role played by microRNAs and other non-coding RNAs in the development of cancers.

During my internship at the LPCE, having worked on a project to evaluate the response of lung cancer patients to immunotherapy, I quickly realized the importance of this area in the future management of patients. So I decided, as of the beginning of the next academic year, to integrate the Master 2 Immunology at the Pierre and Marie Curie University (Paris, France), as well as the Pasteur “Advanced Immunology” courses. My research internship will take place at Dana Farber Cancer Center in Boston, USA.

I thank Professor Hofman, Professor Ilié and all the members of the LPCE for sharing their passion for research with me and for allowing me to seize such great opportunities. My transition to the LPCE has made me mature from both a scientific and a human point of view.

George CALIN’s team with Léa BERLAND

Sunset in front of the laboratory