How did you first end up at the Vienna BioCenter and in a shared PhD position between IMBA and the IMP?
It’s actually a bit of a funny story. I first heard about Julius Brennecke’s lab when I was looking for a bachelor’s thesis project. Another group leader recommended it to me, but in the end, I joined a different group.
When it came to my master’s project, I got back in touch with Julius because I wanted to move beyond my expertise from structural biology and dive into a more in vivo approach. Julius told me that there was a spot for me, and that I’d be working with a postdoc shared between his group and that of Clemens Plaschka, a structural RNA biology expert. It sounded like the perfect mix—and it was! I loved working across the two labs during my master’s, so it felt natural to continue in the same setting for my PhD.
What motivated you to pursue this combined, collaborative path?
I’ve always been fascinated by mechanistic biology. Knowing which factors are involved in a process is exciting, but what really drives me is understanding how they work together at a detailed level.
In the piRNA pathway, a lot was already known at the genetic level. We knew which proteins were involved at each step, but the mechanistic side—the “how”—was less explored. That gap motivated me. Being a shared PhD student allowed me to bring together both Julius’ and Clemens’ expertise to understand the pathway at a mechanistic level. It was incredibly stimulating to combine the views from both labs and explore a new biological question.
Can you briefly describe your PhD project and its main findings?
My PhD focused on the piRNA pathway and how it silences transposons. More specifically, I studied how PIWI proteins bound to piRNAs, recognize complementary transposon RNAs and trigger transposon silencing.
We discovered that when the nuclear PIWI in Drosophila, Piwi, binds its target, it forms a complex with two other proteins called Maelstrom and Asterix. This complex, which we called Piwi*, then recruits downstream factors for silencing transposons. What was exciting was that this mechanism is not limited to this nuclear PIWI protein—it also happens with cytoplasmic proteins, and appears conserved across evolution, from sponges to flies to humans. These findings shed new light on the first steps of transposon silencing, a key process to protect the genome.
What is it like to be a shared PhD student between two labs and two PIs?
In practice, it meant joining both lab meetings — and yes, also getting twice the cake! More importantly, I benefited from input from two labs with very different expertise. Seeing how they approached similar biological questions from different angles was very enriching.
Day to day, it involved a lot of conversations with both group leaders. Luckily, Julius and Clemens both approach science in very similar ways, which made it easy to integrate their perspectives without being pulled into different directions.
Something I had to learn early on was communication: talking to one PI didn’t mean the other was automatically in the loop, and I had to make sure both were equally included, which in the end made my project stronger.
Did you notice much difference between being at IMBA and the IMP?
Not really. The institutes are connected by a literal bridge, so it felt like one continuous environment. Both institutes are very open, and I never felt like I was in two different places. The only difference for me was how many stairs I had to run up and down each day!
My desk and bench situation changed over time as both groups grew and evolved, but it was always flexible. The general principle was simple: you go wherever science takes you.
How would you describe the collaborative environment at the Vienna BioCenter, and especially at IMBA and the IMP?
Honestly, I haven’t been in a more collaborative environment. It’s incredibly easy to share reagents, techniques, and even people’s time. Often, you don’t need to go through the PIs—you just ask a colleague directly, and you can try something new the same day.
The resources are also outstanding. You don’t have to think twice before testing an idea, because facilities and equipment are always available. The only limits are your own time and hands. That’s a rare privilege for a PhD student.
On a more personal note, what has your experience at the Vienna BioCenter meant to you so far?
For me, being here has been about much more than just advancing my career. It’s about being part of a very international and supportive community. You don’t just share science—you share coffee breaks, social events, and a sense of belonging to a place where big discoveries happen.
The shared PhD also taught me a lot personally: how to communicate across teams, balance different expectations, and find my own voice as a scientist. Looking back, I feel very lucky to have taken this unusual path.
What comes next for you?
After I’m done with my PhD, I’ll move back to Barcelona to join the Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG) as a postdoc in Markus Höpfler’s new lab, which studies co-translational gene silencing. So, I’ll be moving from researching co-transcriptional silencing to studying co-translational mechanisms. I find that shift really beautiful.
And of course, I’m also looking forward to being back in my hometown, Barcelona.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time as a shared PhD student?
One that stands out is when I was applying for my master’s project and Julius told me about the chance to work between two labs. I remember thinking: this is perfect, this is exactly the kind of project I’d like to do. That moment set everything in motion.
Finally, what advice would you give to someone considering a PhD at IMBA, the IMP, or the Vienna BioCenter?
I would say: don’t be afraid of collaborative projects! They can sound complicated at first, but when both supervisors see science in a similar way, it offers an incredible opportunity to learn and to connect with people from different scientific traditions. Also, embrace the community here—it’s one of the most inspiring aspects of doing a PhD at the Vienna BioCenter.
Further Reading:
Brennecke Lab