With an undergraduate degree in Biology and a doctoral degree in Neuroscience from the Universitat de València, UV postdoctoral researcher Marta Pérez is focusing her first year of the 2+2 fellowship at the Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard (RCCH) on determining why a specific population of neurons is vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease while other neighboring neurons remain unharmed.

How did you learn about the RCCH?

The Universitat de València sent out several emails about the postdoctoral program, so I looked for information on the subject and I learned about the RCCH.

What made you apply for the RCCH 2+2 Postdoctoral Fellowship?

It seemed like a great opportunity and I was interested in the return possibility.

Could you briefly tell us the main points of your thesis?

Both my thesis and my postdoctoral program are focused in neuroscience, although the topics are quite different. My doctoral thesis at the Universitat de València looked at how different conditions, such as psychiatric diseases or certain drugs, alter the plasticity of the nervous system. Here at Harvard, I’m still working with neurons and applying some of my knowledge, but we are trying to find out why Alzheimer’s starts and how we can stop the neuronal degeneration in patients. 

Although you joined the RCCH in September—only a few months ago—, have you already seen any contribution to your research during your time at the RCCH?

In terms of results, it’s still too early to see contributions. However, I’m trying to move forward with several experiments. The opportunity to apply any cutting-edge technique you can think of to your research is crucial. Resources at Harvard are spectacular and really seem unlimited—although it’s better not to test this theory!

Tell us what has been the best part of your stay so far.

Like I said, the “unlimited” resources and the spectacular people to learn from. Also, Harvard and the other universities are non-stop, and there are a lot of interesting and diverse events. It’s a great place to meet people and learn.

And the hardest part?

Leaving all the people I love in Valencia!

How would you rate your stay at the RCCH?

Very positive.

Would you do it again?

Yes. Even though it was hard to leave Valencia, Boston is a very recommendable city—and Harvard is awesome!

What would you say to those who are considering a fellowship like yours?

I’d say to try to get complementary funding, because life here is very expensive. In general, biomedical science fellows supplement their postdoctoral salaries by working at the National Institute for Health (NIH), but the other fields have problems with that. Even so, it’s quite easy to find qualified work in Boston for a few hours a week.

What are your plans for the future?

In the immediate future, I hope to take advantage of all these resources and publish something interesting here. In the longer term, I’d like to use this time to find a less precarious position in Spain.