Profile
Chiara Cazzaniga
My CV
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Qualifications:
MSc Molecular Biology in University of Milan
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Research/Work History:
During my MSc I performed an internship in Milan, followed by an Erasmus + internship in NUIG, working with Professor Charles Spillane in the Plant and Agribiosciences Centre, studying plants epigenetics and ways to improve crop yield
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Current Job:
Currently in the last year of my PhD (Postgraduate Research), studying DNA replication and DNA replication stress
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Type of scientist:
Biochemist/ Cellular biologist
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Degree(s) and where you obtained them:
Bachelor of Science (Biological sciences) and Master of Science (Molecular biology) in University of Milan
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Qualifications:
MSc Molecular Biology in University of Milan
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Research/Work History:
During my MSc I performed an internship in Milan, followed by an Erasmus + internship in NUIG, working with Professor Charles Spillane in the Plant and Agribiosciences Centre, studying plants epigenetics and ways to improve crop yield
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Current Job:
Currently in the last year of my PhD (Postgraduate Research), studying DNA replication and DNA replication stress
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Employer/Lab group:
The DNA replication laboratory in the Centre of chromosome Biology in NUI Galway, directed by Corrado Santocanale
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CE team:
NUIG
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Volunteering since…
2018
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Favourite thing about being a Cell EXPLORER volunteer:
I love to share my love for science to other people. It is great to see other people enjoying to learn science and doing experiments in an informal environment.
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My best tip for extracting DNA:
Take your time, follow the instruction and you will extract your DNA without any problem!
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About Me
An Italian- born biochemist, who also loves playing video games, board games and going for hikes!
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Read more
I am Originally from a small village in northern Italy. I moved to Galway in 2016 to start my internship in plant science in NUIG. After the internship, I got a PhD position in NUIG that allowed me to stay in this beautiful city. A PhD is what you can do after completing an undergraduate degree at college (4 years) which trains you to become an independent researcher. I love playing video games, both on the laptop and on the PS4. I often invite friends over to play games together. I also love reading fantasy or sci-fi novel and painting. I enjoy hiking and camping. Back in Italy my friends and I used to organised camping trips in the mountains, where we could look at the stars. I also enjoy cooking and baking and I am always trying new recipes!
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My Typical Day
Reading papers, doing experiments, writing my thesis and drinking lots of coffee
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Read more
I usually wake up at 7.30- 8 am, have breakfast and get to the lab for 9am-9.30. In the past, my lab mates and I used to have a coffee together before staring work. Now, for COVID-19 safety we have our coffee in pairs, which is better than nothing! During coffee we talk about our lives and hobbies but , also about our work. Often coffee helps us to come up with the best ideas for a new experiment! After coffee I usually start my experiments. I do these experiments in a laboratory. There are two places in the laboratory where I do experiments: in the main laboratory using a work bench or in a special room where we grow the cells, with some music on the background. The room where we grow cells is Before leaving work I look through my emails and read one or two papers. Scientists all over the worlds write and publish these papers about things that they have found, and I need to read them to keep me updated on the newest research I usually finish working between 5 and 7pm. I cook myself dinner and then relax watching movie or playing computer games. Sometimes I go for walk around the city or, during warmer days, I swim in the ocean.
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Quickfire Q/A questions
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Kind, Hardworking, Friendly
What did you want to be after you left school?
Veterinarian
Were you ever in trouble at school?
No, I was really shy as a child and I didn’t really want to be in the centre of the attention
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Queen
What's your favourite food?
My mum’s lasagne
What is the most fun thing you've done?
Metallica concert
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Finish my PhD, travel around the world, adopt a dog
Tell us a joke.
I wish I was adenine, then I could get paired with U.
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