Sandra Duval Dræby is excited to explore opportunities for creating a translational PhD project, combining experience from her clinical background with insights from basic neuroscience research.
Sandra Duval Dræby completed her medical degree at the University of Copenhagen in 2024. Aside from her clinical foundation, she also comes into the NAD PhD programme with relevant research experience:
”I have primarily worked with mouse models of ALS, more specifically how the same genetic disposition in different individuals can result in them developing either ALS, frontotemporal dementia or both conditions. Generally, I am interested in the motor system as it is relatively simple to translate insights from animals to humans. It is a good translational research model, which is something I really care about,” Sandra explains.
Sandra expects that her upcoming PhD project will have to do with the motor system, and she hopes that the pre-PhD year will lead to new insights into what research questions to ask and what techniques to utilise. She also hopes to bridge clinical and basic neuroscience in her project:
”Sometimes, there can be quite a stark difference between clinical research and the research conducted at the universities. I think it would be wonderful if there were more interaction between the two fields. I think the NAD PhD programme is excellent for this because the NAD PhD fellows rotate in different clinical and basic neuroscience labs. ”
Sandra has done her studies in Copenhagen, and she is looking forward to visiting labs outside of the capital:
”So far, I have only experienced the research environment in and around Copenhagen. I am excited to experience research at other institutions in Denmark, because there is so much fantastic research going on. Neuroscience is a field in rapid development, and I think it is amazing to be a part of it,” Sandra says.