| |
 See also
|
| |
|
|
RIVAGE: training young scientists for research careers in Europe
(19/11/2007)
|
|
©
INRA
|
Nestled in a lush green valley on the outskirts of Versailles lies the INRA Research Centre of Jouy-en-Josas, one of the oldest of INRA’s 21 research centres. This centre is hosting the RIVAGE project, which is nurturing the dreams and aspirations of 13 young researchers from across Europe and beyond. RIVAGE (Regulation and variability of animal genome expression) aims to merge animal genetics and physiology approaches for identifying the general mechanisms governing genome expression and for proposing novel approaches of animal selection. This Early Stage Training Marie Curie project benefits from an EC funding of €1.3 million, has a four year duration (2004-2008) and hosts 13 PhD fellows.
|
| |
| |
|
Proposing novel approaches in animal selection
“RIVAGE is more than an acronym,” says Dr Mambrini. “It is a way of thinking; it is about introducing scientists to thinking about the various ways of conducting research and to think in terms of European research.” It is not unusual for scientists to utilise tools and methodologies from other disciplines. What is less common, however, is to have a solid background in two diverse disciplines, physiology and genetics, which allows the researcher to think in a completely new direction. RIVAGE is doing just this, thereby creating a new platform in the field of animal science. “We are pleased to see that our Marie Curie fellows have attained this background,” says Dr Mambrini. “We can see that already they are more open to different ideas and concepts, they are better prepared to build their careers and are not lost between disciplines.”
This fact is not lost on the fellows either. Florian Rambow came from Germany to join the RIVAGE network. “On the one hand you have to specialise,” he said, “but if you want to become a lab leader you need a global understanding. For that reason inter-disciplinarity is not a choice, it is a requirement.”
Specially-tailored training to build their future career
The 13 fellows involved were selected based on their passion and desire to experience a new discipline. After an intensive two-week French language course, they benefited from a specially-tailored education programme centred on three main issues: disciplinary training in the new field, openness to other disciplines and more importantly, care about their future career. The students were also free to work with various collaborative partners related to their projects. For example, Italian fellow Giulietta Minozzi collaborated with the University of Wageningen, after having organised a RIVAGE day. “These are exciting events for us as we get to invite speakers here to give us a special presentation and from this, collaborative networks can be built”, she explains. The Rivage days are also an opportunity for students to meet industry leaders, find out about their needs and tailor their knowledge-building accordingly.
© INRA, Bertrand Nicolas
Xavier Vignon, co-supervisor of the project, has noticed over the years that “often the young researchers don’t want to confront the inevitability that their PhD is ending, so when it does end, they find themselves suddenly looking to further their research career which may lead to some leaving for the USA. By making them think about the future, the students are looking to match their skills with the needs of European industry and academia, something which in effect helps researchers remain in Europe as they realise the depth of opportunities available to them.”
Building the future platforms of European research
RIVAGE has had a profound effect on the supervisors as well. “This has been a learning experience for all of us, and this interchange of ideas will lay the foundation for the future of European research as it will be these students who will be among the leaders forming a common platform for research in the future,” say Xavier Vignon and Muriel Mambrini.
|
|
Written by :
Communications Department
Contacts :
Dr Muriel Mambrini, Fish Genetics Unit, INRA Research Centre of Jouy-en-Josas
Label for the news :
Article
Date for the news :
2011.03.08
Date of creation : 19/11/2007
Date of last update : 22/11/2007
|
|
|
|
