Born as an identical twin, one question always intrigued me: “Despite monozygotic twins inherits the same set of parental genes; they possess distinct physical characteristics and predispositions to diseases, why?” Driven by curiosity and eventually understanding the established role of epigenetics in such processes, I find the Cell2Cell training network as an ideal platform to pursue my career in epigenetics. Epigenetics is my dream research area and the major reason for selecting this PhD program. Cell2Cell training network provides a diverse skill set, applicable to chromatin biology and bioinformatics. This platform enables me to seek robust training in chromatin methods with single-cell approaches, possessing the ability to relate sequences to a given cell and well-equipped techniques to deconvoluting heterogeneity in epigenetic mechanisms. While chromatin biology and bioinformatics is my desired field of research, utilizing this opportunity, I could expedite my knowledge in bioinformatics skills (particularly NGS data analysis) and enrich my research expertise in scATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, single-cell fluorescent reporter assays as well as establish international collaboration. Working with industries and academia as a part of this network, I could also develop the potential to think creatively and entrepreneurially. Moreover, this training network would allow me to interact with many leaders in chromatin biology throughout Europe. I believe this is an ideal platform that will enable me to pursue my goal of becoming a specialist in chromatin biology and bioinformatics.

Moreover, my PhD research topic escalated my curiosity towards the understanding of “subtelomere heterochromatin spread” crucial for maintaining genome stability, homeostasis and gene regulation. This project provides me with the opportunity to understanding variability in the extent of subtelomeric expansion and regulation of heterochromatin spreading and its temporal and spatial dynamics in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. In addition to that, I will be using a very elegant system single-cell heterochromatin-spreading sensor system (HSS system) established by the lab of Dr. Bassem Al-Sady that enables us to access the intrinsic behavior of heterochromatin spreading.

My host institute is one of Europe’s premier academic and research institutions located in the heart of the beautiful city of Munich which provides an international environment and has plenty of academic opportunities. Moreover, this city also provides plenty of options for hiking and traveling. It is also surrounded by the Alps. As I love traveling and exploring new places, Munich is an ideal place to stay.