EFLM LabX report

By Karina-Alexandra Cojocaru, Romania

From my spontaneous decision to apply on the EFLM LabX platform to the rapid and positive response from the EFLM Committee, this journey has been a series of wonderful surprises. The knowledge and skills gained during this internship have significantly enhanced my abilities as a laboratory medicine resident and researcher.

This experience has been nothing short of life-changing, and I am immensely grateful to the EFLM Committee for the financial support and the chance to enrich my knowledge and skills in the Laboratory Medicine field. I also want to express my deepest gratitude to Professor Tsatsanis for his exceptional guidance and support throughout the internship. He generously shared his expertise and insights, and under his mentorship, I had the privilege to explore for one month the laboratory at the University of Crete, Medical School, and the University Hospital of Heraklion.

During the internship, I actively engaged in training sessions at the research laboratory, focusing on analyzing epigenetic regulation of inflammatory responses. I had the opportunity to observe and actively participate in various laboratory procedures, including PCR, ELISA, DNA and RNA isolation, Western blot, and culture cells. Each experience was both enlightening and enriching. In the Hospital Laboratory, I was trained in biochemical automation and standardization procedures and selected semi-automated analyses such as HbA1c determination, urine microscopic analysis, sperm analysis, and detection of CFTR mutations by capillary electrophoresis. This exposure to real-life diagnostic scenarios provided invaluable insights into the clinical application of laboratory findings and the critical role of laboratory medicine in patient care.

I extend my sincere gratitude to the entire team for their unwavering support and guidance. Special thanks go to Rania, Elina, and Maria, who are Ph.D. students and played a pivotal role in sharing their expertise and introducing me to various laboratory techniques. Their enthusiasm and dedication to teaching were truly commendable, and their mentorship greatly enriched my learning experience.

I am forever grateful to the EFLM Committee, Prof. Tsatsanis, and the entire team from Crete for their generosity, mentorship, and support.

From my spontaneous decision to apply on the EFLM LabX platform to the rapid and positive response from the EFLM Committee, this journey has been a series of wonderful surprises. The knowledge and skills gained during this internship have significantly enhanced my abilities as a laboratory medicine resident and researcher.

This experience has been nothing short of life-changing, and I am immensely grateful to the EFLM Committee for the financial support and the chance to enrich my knowledge and skills in the Laboratory Medicine field...