As part of the Erasmus+ programme, Alicia De Pace, a 21-year-old trainee from the German Cancer Research, joined CCMAR for a three-month internship. Currently enrolled in a vocational training at the DKFZ in Germany, Alicia chose CCMAR as her host institution after submitting a motivation letter expressing her strong interest in marine biology.
Hosted at the Molecular Biology Platform, and supervised by technician Marta Valente and researcher João Cardoso, Alicia had the opportunity to expand her laboratory skills and gain hands-on experience. Her work focused on the analysis of known pathogens in oysters, with the aim of optimising and documenting the detection of additional pathogens relevant to aquaculture.
Using advanced equipment available at CCMAR through EMBRC-PT, Alicia applied molecular techniques such as genetic identification and qPCR, contributing to the refinement of methodologies for pathogen detection and monitoring. These improvements have direct applications in the aquaculture industry, particularly in ensuring food safety and enhancing monitoring systems.
Alicia’s training highlights how CCMAR supports the professional development of young talents, while fostering international collaboration and strengthening the connection between scientific research and industry applications.
