My work on the how mitochondrial dynamics contribute to the regulation of neuronal migration and early brain development is currently being written up for publication. While this work mainly comprises fundamental research, our results will add to the knowledge base that may in the longer term form the basis for the identification by the pharmaceutical and biotech sector of drugable targets in neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.The project also gave me the opportunity to extend my scientific network, particularly with the European Neuroscience community, by attending national and international meetings courses, including the UCL Neurosciences Symposium (London, UK), Redbrain (Geneva, Switzerland), Cortical Development Conference (Chania, Greece), Divisional Postdoc Seminar (London, UK). During the MSCA I have also actively collaborated with other research groups, leading to 1 publication where I will be co-first author. The second one is with world experts in the novel interactor function in King’s College London. In UCL, I am also part of the Biosciences post doc committee, we organize seminars every month and some social events to help post docs from different departments of the division to collaborate and exchange knowledges on career development. As a public engagement activity, I have mentored 2 students in the In2Science program, which offers underprivileged students in their final years at high school in deprived areas the opportunity to work alongside practising scientists for a 2-week period, giving them an insight into scientific research and development. The aim of the schedule is to raise the participation of bright underprivileged young people into Science degrees at top Universities. Last year, my student and I won the prize of the best video. Finally, the project has enabled me increase my transferable research skills, including but not limited to: expanding my knowledge of major questions in the field of cortical development, further experience in communicating the outcomes of my research, building collaborations, managing a multi-factorial project. All together, this MCSA and these outstanding environments within UCL gave me excellent opportunities to develop as an independent research scientist.
