Learning, collaborating and growing
From April to July 2024, Nadja Nolte, LongTREC Doctoral Candidate at the National Institute of Biology in Slovenia, had the incredible opportunity to undertake a research secondment at the University of Florida (UF) under the supervision of Lauren McIntyre. The goal? To deepen Nadja’s expertise in statistical methods for allele-specific expression (ASE) analysis—a key aspect of her PhD research.
Nadja reflects on her experience:
What I Learned 🎓
During my time at UF, I gained hands-on experience in:
✅ The fundamental analysis steps of ASE.
✅ Mapping strategies and their impact on ASE results.
✅ Identifying and correcting biases in ASE analysis.
✅ Effective collaboration in an international research environment.
Applying these skills, I explored ASE in long-read RNA-seq data, initially working with fruit fly data before testing the approach on publicly available potato datasets, knowledge that will be instrumental for our future experiments. Additionally, I am currently contributing to a review paper on ASE mapping strategies in the era of long-read sequencing technologies.
Challenges and Takeaways 🌱
Florida’s heat and humidity were definitely an adjustment! ☀️🌡️ But beyond the weather, this experience provided much more than technical training—it broadened my research perspective, adaptability, and professional network. Experiencing a different research culture firsthand has been invaluable in shaping my future career direction in academia or industry.
Impact 🌟
This secondment has directly enhanced my PhD research, equipping me with the knowledge and tools to take the next steps in ASE analysis. I’m grateful for the welcoming research environment at UF and excited to apply these insights moving forward!
A huge thank you to Lauren McIntyre and the UF team for their support and guidance throughout this journey.
Looking forward to future collaborations!
