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DC Diaries #3

DC Diaries #3 - Dudu Boyvat

Welcome to the SYNSENSO DC Diaries. In this series of blog posts, we share our experiences as Doctoral Candidates in the SYNSENSO networks – highlights, challenges, secondments, and what makes us tick outside of research. Enjoy!

 Hello!

I am Dudu Boyvat, a Doctoral Candidate 7 (DC7) in the SYNSENSO Doctoral Network. It always amuses me when we use these DC numbers to introduce ourselves: “Hello, I’m Dudu, DC7.”

I joined the network in November 2022. I believe I was the first DC to begin working in the laboratory, which means I’ll likely be the first to graduate (no pressure on me!). I am based at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), working under the supervision of Dr. Velia Siciliano in the Systems and Synthetic Biology Laboratory. IIT has multiple centers across Italy, and our team is based in Naples.

During my academic journey, I had the opportunity to live in various cities across Turkey, my home country. Moving to Naples marked my first experience living abroad, and it was incredibly exciting. Naples, with its charm and beauty, is perfectly located between stunning destinations like Rome and the Amalfi Coast. So far, I’ve explored as much as possible, either alone or with friends. Even though my lab is just an hour away, the captivating places I visit often make me feel like I’m on holiday.

My motivations for joining this synthetic biology network were twofold. First, I was captivated by the remarkable applications of synthetic biology, which allow us to implement or improve control over various systems at both the transcriptional and translational levels. Second, being part of such a network provides a broader perspective by offering exposure to a diverse range of projects and approaches across academia and industry.

A year ago, I had the privilege of spending my academic secondment at Imperial College, working in Dr. Karen Polizzi’s lab. During this time, I collaborated with other DCs on our project, learned new techniques, and experienced a different research environment, which is crucial for broadening one’s knowledge.

With all the excitement and joy, there were naturally some challenges along the way. While there aren’t many cultural differences, adapting to a new country where I don’t speak the language hasn’t been the easiest process. Living abroad, even just two hours from home, comes with its own difficulties, such as missing family events and gatherings with friends. That said, challenges are not permanent—they are transitions, steps we take to move towards greater ease and understanding.

Looking back, it’s clear how the secondments, meetings, and conferences I’ve attended have contributed to my growth over time. It’s both rewarding and exciting to reflect on how much I’ve developed throughout this journey. Sharing this experience with the SYNSENSO network has been equally meaningful, fostering a strong sense of teamwork and belonging.

Shooting photo doing in vitro translation