Irina Ionescu

EDUCATION

College / University

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Subjects

Biomedicine

Country

Romania

Lab Experience

Basic techniques in molecular and cell biology and biochemistry, DNA cloning techniques, working with bacteria and cell cultures, methods of diagnostic, protein expression and interaction analysis, FRET.

Projects / Research

Purification and viral vector-mediated transduction of murine hematopoietic stem cells. PD Dr. Carsten Scheller, Institute of Virology and Immunobiology, Würzburg, Germany

Scholarships / Awards

since Oct 2004:

DAAD scholarship for especially gifted alumni of German schools abroad for the entire duration of studies at a German university

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

I find neurosciences to be such a fascinating field that it is as yet difficult for me to limit my interests to certain areas only. I am very interested in the processes of neurodegenerative diseases (due to aging or infections) as well as in defining their genetic components which lead to increased susceptibility for these diseases in certain individuals; I am also fascinated by the possibilities of inducing neuroregeneration in brain neurons through activation of stem cell differentiation. Another area that has captivated my interest consists of the processes leading to synaptic plasticity and the mechanisms by which information is accumulated and passed on from short-term to long-term memory. I hope that after completing this MSc/PhD program in Neurosciences I will be able to turn my energy in the direction of applied research.