ECDN Rep for the School of Biosciences.
What is your academic background and current research field?
Following my medical training in Mexico, I earned a BSc in Molecular Biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio, followed by a MSc in Immunology and Immunotherapy from the University of Birmingham. At the University of Leeds, I earned a PhD in Medicine with a focus on immunology, where I studied cystic fibrosis, inflammation, and autoinflammatory disorders. I am currently working with Dr. Frickel on molecular mechanisms of metabolism and inflammation in macrophages. I study guanylate-binding proteins and their role in innate immune cells. I'm also interested in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (Cystic fibrosis, TRAPs, FMF, CAPS) and the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation in these disorders.
What is your role as a ECDN Rep and how can postdocs in your school contact you?
I assist newly hired postdoctoral research fellows and other early career academics in settling into our school and University. Please contact me using the information provided on my staff profile page. https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/biosciences/larareyna-samuel.aspx
I am always willing to have a chat over a cup of coffee.
What do you feel are the benefits of the ECDN programme for postdocs and what do you feel have been the benefits to you from being a postdoc rep?
I have benefited from all of the support that ECDN has provided me during my postdoctoral research; for example, I completed my PGCHE because it was listed in one of their weekly news letters. They maintain all early career researchers up to date on funding opportunities and trainings to help them advance in their careers. Furthermore, they always organise seminars and talks about professional growth for early academics, which is critical in career progression