Molecular Genetics, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, Missouri
Participating in the Fulbright program as a Visiting Research Scholar brought significant changes in my life. It was an invaluable experience, during which I enhanced my knowledge, advanced the progress of my Ph.D. research, gathered beautiful memories, and formed lifelong friendships.
I spent seven months in the Pharmacogenetics Core Laboratory at Children's Mercy Research Institute (CMRI), in Kansas City, MO, U.S.A., working on the characterization of genetic variants in pharmacogenes of interest. The visit provided me access to cutting-edge technology, resources and academic guidance, and was very beneficial for my research and future career in Pharmacogenetics. The work in the U.S. produced valuable know-how that I brought back to the Greek group.
During my grant period, I participated in enrichment seminars held by the Fulbright, and in a monthly PGx Journal Club. I shared my experiences and my research through a presentation in the Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutic Innovation at CMRI in April, entitled My Journey through Pharmacogenetics. Furthermore, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the annual meeting of the Pharmacogenomics Global Research Network (PGRN) at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, U.S.A.. This meeting was a noteworthy gathering of scientists in the field. It was an impactful conclusion of my grant to present my work, while representing a Gene Expert Panel, connect with a global network of scientists, and receive a PGRN Top Trainee Abstract Award.
My Fulbright journey was life changing, inspiring and I am extremely grateful for all the people I met. Research was very important but the most invaluable part of this experience was the people - friends and collaborators - with whom I interacted on a daily basis. The team I was working with at my host lab comprises of talented scientists, who welcomed me warmly and helped me adjust easily to life in the U.S. Being part of international collaborations, scientific meetings and conferences enabled me and the Greek group to network with pharmacogenetics experts from all over the world.
Moreover, the Fulbright community is a very supportive network of individuals who share similar goals and aspirations. I was very pleased to meet many Fulbrighters from around the world both prior to my departure and while traveling in the U.S. Interacting with scholars, and experts in various fields facilitated the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and experiences. I got inspired by many of them, we became friends and I genuinely hope that we will stay in touch moving forward. Maintaining and nurturing all these social and professional connections over time will definitely contribute to my personal growth and my future career.
During my stay, I also travelled a lot, explored the American culture, met people from different backgrounds, and forged close friendships. I lived with an American family with whom I formed a strong bond and gained a deeper understanding of the local daily life and values. Additionally, I took part in cultural nights and networking events with other international students.
The most significant change, however, was in my perspective of the world and deeper understanding of myself. Through exposure to people with diverse backgrounds, ideas, and values my horizons were broadened. I was immersed in the American culture without losing my Greek identity, experiencing the everyday life of the local community and its customs. Within a very supportive environment I was provided with opportunities for self-reflection that helped me grow emotionally, leading to greater empathy, while appreciating life and people in a different way. I was also able to demystify some aspects of the American lifestyle and appreciate some features of my home country. Through that process I developed a more inclusive and open-minded view of the world, while trying to find common ground amidst diversity. I am truly appreciative of this transformative experience, and I commit that I will always be an enthusiastic and proactive member of the Fulbright community.