​In this post, I would like to tell you about my involvement in different Nuclear Physics Laboratories in the US and Europe during my Ph.D.. Even if an experimental path is not your focus, chances are high that you will visit at least one of these facilities during your career. These times can be extremely nurturing, as you can learn on the spot from all the people involved in the laboratory, such as technicians, researchers, and other students. Furthermore, while participating in an experiment during your visit, you will be granted a wide view of how Nuclear Physics research is conducted, the standards it must meet, and the challenges that could arise during the measurements. In that sense, I consider that it is also quite important for everyone, especially those working in theory, to understand the entire process of data acquisition. Particularly, in this post, I would like to share my experiences at the Nuclear Science Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame (Indiana, USA), ISOLDE at CERN (Geneva, Switzerland), and GANIL (Caen, France) [1-3].
Starting from 2022, just after the pandemic, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with researchers of the University of Notre Dame’s Nuclear Science Laboratory (NSL) at South Bend, Indiana, USA. The international collaboration I was in was quite diverse and consisted of people from Italy, Greece, Mexico, Portugal, and the US, among other countries. My participation was made possible through my advisor’s project funding. As a student, I was invited to gain experience with the detection setup, and the electronics that connect the detectors with the pre-amplifiers, amplifiers, and finally to the data acquisition system, for the TriSol separator.  I was quite excited because we were working with Double-Sided Silicon Strip Detectors (DSSSD), as in my Ph.D. project. 
That was my first time in a US laboratory, and I couldn’t help but spend as much time there as possible. While working with the setup, we arrived before the beam was delivered and spent days and nights optimizing the configuration of the electronic chain. I gained more practical skills during those weeks than in an entire semester! Before leaving, I also took part in a night shift. They are usually quite calm, but you never know what might happen in one shift. Some examples are: losing the beam, and then calling the operators back, or the target being damaged during a test.
I loved the University of Notre Dame campus, which is full of life even at night, with visits from rabbits and even deer. The following year, in 2023, I returned to participate in another measurement at NSL, and in 2024, I was awarded the IReNA Visiting Fellowship, which supported an 8-week internship at the laboratory. I made the most of that time by collaborating on experiments, gaining practical skills in the laboratory, and advancing the analysis of previous experiments carried out at TriSol.

​Picture 1. Selfie while working at Notre Dame’s Nuclear Science Laboratory (NSL) during the IReNA Visiting Fellowship program.

​Picture 2. Sight of ISOLDE from the meeting hall during an experimental measurement in 2024.

​Finally, in April of this year, I was invited to take part in a measurement at GANIL, located in the city of Caen in northern France. My first stay there, just a short 3-week visit, only allowed me to tour the laboratory. This time, however, I returned as a user, which was an entirely different and rewarding experience. I was so happy to meet almost all the collaborators in person and reconnect with old friends I had not seen in years. And this was possible thanks to the EUROLABS grant that supported the students' travel for this experiment.
Inside GANIL, as at CERN, there is a guesthouse where you can book a room, and a restaurant for breakfast and meals. Nearby, you can also find a mall and additional restaurants. These facilities make it easier to focus entirely on the experiment, without worrying about the daily logistics, especially for those starting the night shift at midnight. 
During this experiment, several challenges emerged, and a lot of discussions were held between the collaboration and the accelerator operators to find the best solutions. At that moment, it was inspiring to witness the resilience and ingenuity of both researchers and technicians, and I learned a lot from the solutions they employed to keep the experiment on track. It was clear that the main goal was to achieve a successful measurement. 
Apart from participating in experimental measurements, there are several other ways to visit and experience nuclear physics laboratories. One option is through a summer school, like the EURO-LABS Basic Training School, where students spend a week in the facilities, attend lectures, and gain hands-on experience with small experiments in the accelerators. I had the chance to participate in the 2023 edition of the school at IFIN-HH (Bucharest-Magurele, Romania), and it was an incredible experience. The best part is that you meet other students from different parts of the world, many of whom will eventually become your future colleagues. Another option is through an internship, as I did at the NSL at the University of Notre Dame. Laboratories also open their doors during conferences, often offering guided tours of their facilities. Depending on the scenario, there are funding opportunities that can help with travel and participation, making these experiences more accessible.
Have you already visited a Nuclear Laboratory? What are the stories about your first time in one? Are you eager to visit one in a different country? I would love to know!

In December 2018, roughly a week before Christmas, in the middle of snowy Michigan winter, I stepped into the control room of a nuclear physics experiment for the very first time. I had just joined Michigan State University as a PhD student in August of that year, where the first semester was mostly spent taking classes and performing teaching assistant duties. My advisor encouraged me to participate in an experiment to get started with research and learn a few things. So I signed up for a couple of shifts. But I felt underprepared, underconfident, and honestly, even a little terrified when stepping into the control room that day.
  
As many of you might relate, being thrown into a high-stakes, ongoing experimental campaign can be exciting as well as unnerving at the same time. There’s no time for gentle hand-holding or foundational lectures when the beam is on and the data is coming in. Everyone around you is moving quickly, making decisions based on graphs that seem like hieroglyphics, communicating in a language of acronyms, shorthand, and intuition built from years of experience.

Your role as the new grad student? Keep your head down, watch a few key parameters, and log some values every hour. That is, of course, an important contribution to any experiment! However, I felt as if I was looking at some complex machinery that I would never be able to figure out completely. 

Although I had some undergraduate research experience, this was on a completely different level. I remember staring at a cluttered screen of diagnostics, afraid to do something wrong or break a working piece of code. I watched in awe as others interpreted plots I couldn’t make any sense of and took real-time decisions about detector voltages, beam steering, or data-taking strategies. I couldn't imagine ever being able to contribute meaningfully, and I walked away from that first shift feeling like I’d learned almost nothing.

Later, when I got back home, I gathered the courage to write to my mentor, who is a well-established scientist in our field. I poured out my insecurities, expecting a half-hearted generic reassurance. But their response was surprising! They told me they had felt exactly the same during their first experiments. Really? That overwhelming sensation of being completely lost is apparently, totally normal. And their advice was simple - find someone who knows more than you, and ask them basic, even ‘dumb’ questions.

So I started doing that. I reached out to the postdocs in our group, especially the ones who seemed patient and approachable. I’d corner them at coffee breaks, lunch breaks, and even before/after meetings and seminars, and ask basic things like, “What exactly does a PID plot show?” or “Why do we need calibration runs both before and after the experiment?” I found that they were always happy to answer, and their response mostly made sense. In scientific experiments, everything is usually done the way it is for very specific reasons. And as I uncovered those reasons one by one, I started to gain some much-needed confidence.

However, what really cemented my learning was getting hands-on. Once I began working on my own project in the lab where I was handling detectors, wiring up electronics, and troubleshooting data acquisition issues, I found that things finally started to stick. Concepts that had felt abstract during the experiment suddenly made sense when I physically encountered them. There’s no substitute for hands-on experience in experimental science. When you get your hands ‘dirty’ you build an intuitive understanding that no amount of documentation or lectures can ever provide.

By the time the next experiment rolled I had a different mindset. I started volunteering for simple tasks like powering up detectors or sorting online data. I made sure to read the ‘Run Plan’ - a document that outlines what we’re trying to do and how we’re going to do it ahead of time. I began attending the pre-experiment briefings more attentively. These usually include a presentation that walks through the motivation, the setup, and the expected outcomes. And I asked questions, lots of them, until I was satisfied with my understanding.

These incremental changes added up. Each experiment brought a new layer of understanding. Soon, I was able to contribute more meaningfully to discussions. I even started training others during their first shifts. This was something I never thought I’d be capable of looking back at that first winter in Michigan.
​
Experiments can be chaotic, messy, and emotionally taxing. But they are also where physics comes to life. Embracing the chaos, asking questions, and building relationships are the best ways to grow in this field. And one day, not too far from now, you’ll be the one explaining a PID plot to the next nervous newbie.

​Figure: The SuN (Left) and NERO (Right) Detector Setup at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University. The author used these detectors for their Ph.D. thesis experiments.

​I am a nuclear astrophysicist who studies how nuclear reactions inside stars produce the chemical elements that make up our bodies, the world around us, and all the other stars and planetary systems in the Universe. I still wonder today… after 35 years… how did I get here? As a little girl, I wanted to be a ballet dancer! 
​
I studied at the University of Torino, my hometown in Italy, and chose physics simply because my mother is a physicist and she suggested I give it a try. I was very undecided, then I thought I could become a high-school teacher, like my mother.
After a difficult, very slow start, I began to receive top marks and, in the end, I graduated cum laude.  Really, one should never take oneself for granted. The fact that I love physics and I am good at it was a big surprise! This sparked the motivation and interest that still feed my enthusiasm today. 

I learnt many different skills along the way

Studying for my PhD in Melbourne at Monash University, I was able to learn English fluently and start working in different teams. During my first post-doc in Cambridge, I could pursue my own research and realised that I wanted to keep doing independent research. So I started applying for funding grants. Moving to Utrecht with a fellowship, I learned that doing independent research actually involves lots of practical responsibilities, such as delivering results, reporting progress, managing time, etc. On returning to Melbourne with fellowships and eventually a lectureship position, I found myself, for the first time, not only covering personal expenses but also managing research funds.  This experience taught me that financial management is also a crucial skill for a scientist. Later, thanks to moving to Budapest with a major grant, I could lead a research group for the first time! I was then promoted to a permanent position and had more opportunities to apply for additional grants to support my work. I quickly learned that being a group leader involves a lot more management than I expected, of both time and people.

What worked for me

First of all, not identifying myself as a scientist from the beginning has been, perhaps surprisingly, very helpful. I have never been personally attached to an image of myself as a scientist, which means that I also considered other options in case the job market or the funding opportunities would not work out. This gave me the excitement of applying but spared me from excessive anxiety. I always thought I could become, for example, a high-school teacher, and that could be equally fun. After organizing many conferences, I also thought I could be an event organizer. 

Moreover, I developed humility, which, for scientists, I think is like a superpower. It makes it easier to accept and learn from mistakes, failures, and bad referee reports! I like a quote from Margot Fonteyn, who defined the image of the ballerina for most of the 20th century, “The one important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one’s self seriously. The first is imperative and the second is disastrous.” This perspective also allowed me to try the hardest challenges for the fun of it, not for the final achievement. This sounds counterintuitive, but for me it worked.

I felt quite free to dare to be ambitious and strategic in my objectives by, for example, thinking, how can I contribute to science as a whole? How can I help answer the big questions? Part of this strategy has been networking with people and becoming part of collaborations, which I also genuinely enjoy from the human social side. I built up and advertised my image/brand – I know this might sound awful to some, but, for example, referees and potential employers need to be able to find your website, and if they do not already know you, it is important to clearly present your achievements. It’s just providing information - not being pretentious.

On the “publish or perish” question, again, it sounds awful… but our work is a service to the community: other people cannot progress if they do not see your step forward printed in a publication. To build an outstanding publication record, both types of first-author and collaborative papers help.

On Family and Work: Just going for it, if one wants, is possible! But discussing a clear plan with one’s partner is crucial, and to work on this as a team, if both parents want to keep working (see my previous piece on the blog regarding this here). As I was pregnant with my first baby, my officemate told me, “Having children is going to destroy your publication record!”. From my experience, this is only partially true: during each of my four maternity leave periods, my publication record indeed decreased, but that did not stop me from going back to being productive once back in the office, also thanks to the practical tips below. 

TIP1: Organising conferences is one of the best ways to get people to know your name!
TIP2: Getting used to the idea from the start that one of the main tasks for a scientist is writing (do an academic writing course), as well as reading a lot.
TIP3: Setting finishing papers always as a priority, and in the order of how close they are to publication: so, to be 1) proofread, 2) revised, and 3) submitted
TIP4: Invite people to be coauthors even if they made a very small contribution! Better to be inclusive than forget (or offend!) anyone. And then they may invite you to their papers, too.

In practice, having the freedom to take up challenges both at work and in personal life worked for me. I believe this freedom also helped to avoid judging myself too strongly as a scientist and being open to possibilities and opportunities.

I would like to share the story of the principal equipment of the nuclear laboratory at the Institute of Physics of the Autonomous National University of Mexico (IF-UNAM, by its original name in Spanish). I am referring to the Van de Graaff (VDG) 5.5 MV particle accelerator, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in January 2024  with the ‘70th anniversary CN-Van de Graaff accelerator Workshop’ held at IF-UNAM facilities, just a day after the traditional annual Symposium on Nuclear Physics in Cocoyoc, Mexico. The accelerator has been a central piece in Mexican nuclear research, however, it was not until the 1980s that the accelerator became part of the IF-UNAM [1, 2].

This story starts in the 1950s at Rice University (RU) in Houston, Texas. The T. W. Bonner1 Nuclear Laboratory (TWBNL) at RU was the home of two particle accelerators of 5.5 MV and 6 MV, both designed by the High Voltage Engineering Company (HVE). The oldest and smallest accelerator was a CN2 vertical model installed in 1953, while the newest and most powerful one was a horizontal EN2 tandem model installed in 1961. The TWBNL building, designed by George and Abel B. Pierce, was one of the few buildings in the country to be specially designed for these kinds of accelerators, making it one of the best facilities at the time. The 5.5 MV accelerator was installed in the distinctive tower of the TWBNL, while two additional halls - one at the side of the building to house the machine, and another at the back for the detectors - were needed for the 6 MV accelerator. The building was also home to the university’s Nuclear and Energy Physics group since its opening in 1953 until its eventual demolition in 1994, when the construction of the Computational Engineering Building started. The group was moved then to the second floor of the Herman Brown building, where the researchers kept working on designing and building experimental equipment to be used at other accelerators [3, 4, 5]. 
​
Nevertheless, before the demolition of the TWBNL building, by the 1970s, both accelerators were not being used because the government contracts, which represented the majority of the funding to operate the laboratory, came to an end. There was no success in finding more resources to pay the personnel needed to operate the accelerators, nor to sell them to any other US laboratory. The perception was that they had accomplished their mission and outlived their usefulness [3, 14]. The researchers at RU had moved their attention to medium and high-energy physics.

Figure 1.- Photography of the VDG 5.5 MV building at the TWBNL laboratory. Picture courtesy of Dr. Andrade.

​In 1984, both accelerators were finally moved. The 5.5 MV accelerator was donated to the IF-UNAM in Mexico, while the 6 MV accelerator was sent to the Ruder Boskovic Institute (RBI) in Croatia. Around that time, new applications for low-energy accelerators were being discovered, which were based on ion-matter interactions. The effort of giving the VDG 5.5 MV accelerator a second life in Mexico began in 1984, when Dr. G.C. Phillips3 visited the UNAM and offered the accelerator,  along with its associated equipment, as a donation to the university. Therefore, UNAM only had to cover the expenses associated with the donation, including transportation and installation of the equipment.  Dr. Eduardo Andrade Ibarra4 was in charge of this monumental project. His leadership alongside his distinguished career made him the second member of the IF-UNAM to receive the“Premio Universidad Nacional 2024”, the highest recognition of the university [5, 7].

Figure 2.- Photography collage of the VDG 5.5 MV laboratory building at the IF-UNAM. Picture courtesy of Dr. Andrade.

Similar to the RBI, only a reduced group of UNAM’s staff was in charge of the complete logistics of transporting the accelerator. It was not an easy task, as it was needed to disassemble, package, transport, and reassemble around 70 tons of the accelerator components without any external assistance from accelerator experts. The transportation from Houston to Mexico City was done using five large trailer platforms, which finally arrived at their destination in December 1984. The construction of the accelerator building started in June 1985 and finished in August 1986. The building has a 90-foot tower and a surface of about 10,000 square feet for offices and experimental areas. It still remains one of the characteristic buildings of the IF-UNAM. The accelerator’s re-assembly was done during 1987-1988, with the first beam delivered in 1988, while the installation was fully completed in 1989. From that point on, the accelerator began its second life [5, 7]. 
​
In July of 1989, the mural ‘La Universidad en el umbral del siglo XXI’ of the famous painter Arturo García Bustos5 was completed. The 55 square meters mural is exhibited in the metro station Universidad, just at the entry of the Ciudad Universitaria campus of the UNAM in Mexico City. This is the closest metro station to the IF-UNAM. The mural depicts the evolution of Mexican education: from the prehispanic schools like the Calmecac6 at the left, passing to the education in colonial times, and finally to the modern technological advances at the right. On the right canvas there, we can see the VDG 5.5 MV tank and the acceleration line alongside a radiotelescope, an electronic microscope, and a TV broadcast of the moon landing. Noticeably, we can see a mushroom cloud in the background of the scene in contrast with two students up the accelerator’s tank holding a white dove, emphasizing the peaceful applications of nuclear science. Nowadays, this depiction of the VDG 5.5 MV is part of the daily life of hundreds of students and people who use the metro system [9, 10].

Figure 3.- Photograph of the right part of the “La universidad en el umbral del siglo XXI” mural in the metro station Universidad, Mexico City, Mexico. Courtesy of Daniel Caleb Robles R.

At the end of 2017, the accelerator’s ion source was severely damaged, and several power supplies were destroyed. This followed a series of malfunctions of the radio frequency ion source in the prior year. Thankfully, in 2019, some restoration work was performed, and the accelerator was once again operational. By the end of 2020, more than 100 papers had been published, and several students had been trained using the accelerator. Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) techniques have been implemented and used in many interdisciplinary research projects. In addition, international research collaboration projects between Mexico and other countries have been established using the UNAM IBA facilities. Among the analytical techniques offered by the laboratory, we can find the Energy Recoil Detection Analysis (ERDA), Rutherford Back Scattering (RBS), Nuclear Reaction Analysis (NRA), and the Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). Nowadays, the VDG 5.5 MV laboratory also utilizes two modern devices coupled to the end of the acceleration line: the SUpersonic GAs jet taRget (SUGAR) [11], and the Momentum Neutron DEtector (MONDE) [12]. These devices open new possibilities for research made with the accelerator [2, 7, 13].

It is fascinating to discover the history of this lively device and the links it has established between the USA and Mexico, specifically between the RU and the IF-UNAM. In both universities, the VDG 5.5 MV deserved the construction of a specialized new building to house it. Not only has it made a lot of contributions to Nuclear Physics, but it is still relevant in the fields of Nuclear Astrophysics and Neutron Physics. The efforts of the nuclear physics group and staff of IF-UNAM have kept the accelerator alive and working.
​
Have you found the story of this particle accelerator interesting? What about the story of your laboratory? Are there any similarities with any of the devices you work with? I would love to know about their story!

Notes: 

1. The laboratory is named after Tom Wilkerson Bonner (1910 - 1961). Student, physics instructor, and chairman of the physics department of RU [6]. 
2. The CN, and EN abbreviations refer to HVE models’ nomenclature. However, the meaning of the abbreviation has been lost in time, so we are not sure what they stand for. We suspect it might be linked to the model type and type of voltage generator.
3. Dr. G.C. Phillips, retired professor and director of the TWBNL. After the sudden death of Tom Wilkerson Bonner, he was chairman of the physics department from 1961 - 1966, and then he became the first director of the TWBNL until 1991 [4, 8].
4. Dr. Edaurdo Andrade Ibarra is an Emeritus Professor in the IF-UNAM. He pursued his Physics degree at UNAM from 1961-1964, and his PhD at RU from 1969-1971. He was in charge of the VDG 5.5 MV laboratory from its beginning until 2017, when Dr. Efraín Chávez was appointed as the new director.  A video of his talk about the VDG 5.5 MV accelerator (in Spanish) can be found on YouTube at the IF-UNAM official channel.
5. Arturo Bustos Garcia (1926-2017) was a student of Frida Kahlo in the Escuela Nacional de Pintura, Escultura y Grabado. He, Guillermo Monroy, Arturo Estrada, and Fanny Rabel, were members of the group Los Fridos [9].
6. Calmecac was the school for the sons of nobles and priests in Aztec culture.

Acknowledgments:
Special thanks to Dr Andrade for the complimentary information and the pictures related to the VDG 5.5 MV accelerator transportation from RU to the IF-UNAM.

​I've always been a guy who doesn't think about the future. I like to enjoy the road, savoring the day-to-day without worrying about making important decisions. As they say, journey before destination.
This mindset has always worked for me, and I have always considered myself happy.
Like most stories, mine begins with a curious child. A boy who was fascinated by the world he lived in, and would rather read books about electrons and protons than princesses and knights. To top it off, my father was a mathematician, and - due to genetic inheritance, I guess - I have always been good with math.
During high school, I had an extraordinary physics teacher who transmitted his passion and enthusiasm with every explanation. He is the real reason why I ended up studying physics, otherwise, I think I would have probably ended up a mathematician like my father.
To this day, I am still convinced that studying physics is the best decision I have ever made in my life! I have enjoyed every day of the degree without pausing to think about what would happen when it was over. I didn't want to face the end. To have to look for a job and fall into a routine, to stop learning new things, to leave behind my inner child... So, I finally enrolled in a nuclear physics master's degree. I had to keep learning!
This, however, changed everything. The master's had a double degree option, which allowed me to do the second half abroad and obtain two degrees for one. Now, I had to face what I had been avoiding all along... Thinking about the future. Making a decision. I couldn't just let it go, I had to stop and think.
And I was afraid. I did not want to leave my country, which I loved so much. I did not want to start from scratch in another place, where I couldn't even communicate with people, because I wouldn’t know the language. Surviving there for a year. Why couldn't I continue as I was, a leaf drifting in a gentle breeze?
I was about to refuse the offer... But then, one ordinary day scrolling through Instagram, I went through a random post. It was a picture of neon lights that read "Your comfort zone will kill you". I stared at the image for a while, my brain replaying it over and over again.
And then I understood everything. I had to keep learning! Not just about physics or atomic nuclei, but about life. Evolve or die, as it has been since the beginning of life. So I mustered up all the courage I could and got on that plane with a single suitcase, half full of clothes and half full of fear and insecurity.
It has already been five years since the best year of my life. A year of self-discovery, of getting to know new cultures, new ways of living. A year full of joy and learning. Because in my case, one thing leads to the other.
I am writing this now as a PhD student. Life is not easy (and this could be another blog post) but I keep learning. As I have always been doing. Because more than a physicist or a researcher, I am a learner.

As a graduate student, you’ll definitely have the chance to attend an academic conference at some point—whether to share your research with the scientific community or deepen your knowledge. Conferences are a great opportunity to realize how many people are deeply invested in your field and how much you can learn from them. I still remember the excitement of my first conference in the U.S. I was visiting Michigan for the first time and finally presenting my early research findings as a poster presentation. But I didn’t think much about networking—whether I should or how to do it. During the five days of the conference, I spent all my coffee breaks, lunch hours, and even the time between the sessions internally panicking. Though I was outgoing back home in Korea, working alone on a research project for a year or two made me more introverted. I was also nervous about speaking in English, and I felt a lot of pressure to ask questions that would show I truly understood people’s research. As a result, despite meeting a few new people from all over the U.S., many of my conversations ended up being awkward. After attending a few more conferences, I realized that networking at a conference is much more formal and intentional than casually meeting a friend of a friend in your neighborhood. Now, I’d like to share some tips I’ve learned through trial and error. It is like dating for the first time—reading about it won’t fully prepare you for the experience, but knowing what to expect and preparing mentally can save you from the panic I went through. So, let’s walk through some ideas.
​

1. Communicating with Presenters
   As you listen to a talk, come up with one or two questions. I know it can sometimes be tough to follow a presentation that's outside your field. However, that works in your favor! It’s new, so you can come up with questions just by trying to get the basics. You can ask during the Q&A or chat with the speaker after the session. Try something like, "Hi, I really enjoyed your talk on X. I’m working on something similar to Y, and I was wondering what you think about Z."
   When talking to poster presenters, take a few minutes to quickly skim their posters and figure out what they’re trying to convey. Posters usually contain condensed research, so asking the presenter to explain it can make things clearer—plus, they’re usually ready to give a brief explanation. If you don’t know where to start, simply ask, “Could you give me a brief overview of your research?” From there, the conversation will flow naturally. And once it does, feel free to ask follow-up questions.
   By the way, worried about speaking in English? Don’t be. Science is our shared language, and from a presenter’s perspective, any question is appreciated. Just engage with confidence—that’s all that matters.
   
   
2. Running Into Someone
   Preparation is key. Have a brief, clear two- to three-sentence introduction about your research ready. Be proactive—don’t wait around! At some point, you’ll bump into someone. Just say 'Hi!' first and introduce yourself. Most people are eager to connect, so they’ll appreciate the initiative. When you start the conversation, ask about their research and show genuine interest. 
   When it’s your turn, explain your work in an engaging way and be ready to answer any questions enthusiastically. If you see potential for collaboration or future discussions, exchange contact details like email or LinkedIn. This will help you maintain connections beyond the conference.
   
   
3. Conversing Naturally at Informal Gatherings
   As an international student, I’ve found that the most common topic for small talk is the weather. It’s an easy icebreaker! You can talk about the weather at the conference location or ask about their home city or research institution. Also, asking about the area itself is a great conversation starter—maybe you’ll visit someday or even consider working there.
   Ask questions that will encourage your conversation partner to share more, like: "What year are you in?", "How is your research going?", "What are your career plans?" or "How do you unwind during breaks?" Even if the conversation is awkward at first, it will gradually become more natural, and you'll build rapport.
   
   

And last but not least-- make sure to get plenty of rest after each day’s schedule! Recharge your social battery and stay energized.
The more conferences you go to, the easier it gets to network. While meeting new researchers may feel exciting and intimidating at the same time at first, keep in mind that you’ll only spend about 5-10 days per year at these events, assuming you attend one or two conferences annually. So, make the most of the opportunities ahead, and if you found any of my tips helpful or discovered new ones, feel free to share them in the comments!

Congratulations! Embarking on the journey toward a PhD is a monumental step filled with potential for discovery and deep learning. If you’re here, you likely share a passion for exploring science and are eager to find the ideal environment where your interests can thrive and your research skills can evolve.
Yet, finding the right PhD program can be daunting. Questions like Where should I start? What should I prioritize?, and How can I narrow my options? are common and valid concerns. But worry not—you’re not alone in navigating this process.
Welcome to the IReNA Blog! Here, we’ll walk you through seven key factors to consider when choosing a PhD program. While this article is mostly geared towards US-based PhD programs, there are many elements that will still be useful to students aiming for non-US PhD programs. These insights will help you make an informed and confident decision as you take the first steps toward an enriching academic journey.

1. The Department Search
Graduate school is a transformative experience, far removed from undergraduate studies. Your research will take center stage, often requiring countless hours of dedication. If you don’t enjoy the work, those years of graduate school can feel unbearable. That’s why it’s vital to go beyond evaluating the university—dive deep into the department and its people.
Start by researching professors and their work. Review their publications and projects to identify those whose interests align with yours. Keep in mind that departmental web pages aren’t always up-to-date. Reaching out to faculty directly is key—send concise, professional emails to gauge their availability for new graduate students. Additionally, consider contacting graduate students in the department. They often provide candid insights into the program, its culture, and the professors’ advising styles.
If your efforts to connect with faculty or graduate students are met with silence, proceed with caution. A lack of responsiveness could signal deeper issues within the department.

2. The Mentors’ Insights
The internet is a treasure trove of information, but it can be overwhelming and sometimes unreliable. Your current professors and mentors can help you cut through the noise. They often have personal or professional connections with researchers at other institutions, allowing them to provide insider knowledge about the programs you’re considering.
These trusted advisors can also help you identify professors who are still actively working in your field, even when departmental pages are outdated. Their guidance can be invaluable in narrowing down your list of schools and ensuring you make informed decisions.
 
3. The Case of Graduate Student Networks
Graduate school isn’t just about research; it’s a holistic experience. Social support can significantly impact your mental well-being and overall success. Look for departments with active graduate student organizations or committees. These groups often serve as hubs for networking, professional development, and social events, offering opportunities to connect with peers and find internships, summer schools, or jobs. 
Remember, all work and no play can lead to burnout. A strong social network is essential for maintaining balance during the demanding years of graduate school.

4. The Mystery of the Perfect Location 
When evaluating schools, don’t overlook the location of the university. Whether it’s in a bustling city, a quiet town, or somewhere in between, the setting can greatly influence your graduate school experience.
Especially for international students, adjusting to a new culture, lifestyle, and work ethic can be overwhelming. Research the city or town, including living costs and graduate stipends. Ask yourself, Can I see myself living here for the next few years? If the answer is no, don’t ignore your instincts. Feeling comfortable in your environment is just as important as the academic fit.
 
5. The Case of Graduate Finances
Money might not be the first thing you want to think about, but it’s a critical consideration. In US-based universities, unless you have a prestigious scholarship like the Fulbright or some departmental fellowships/scholarships, you’ll likely start as a teaching assistant (TA) and transition to a research assistant (RA) as your research group secures funding. You could also sign up as a tutor with the university’s think tank and tutoring services for an extra paycheck. Outside the US, the programs are often 100% research focused and the TA duties may even be accompanied with extra pay.
Not all programs offer summer or winter support, so look for details on departmental funding policies. Additionally, professors’ publication rates can offer clues about their research group’s financial health—consistent publications often correlate with steady funding. Understanding the financial landscape will help you avoid unpleasant surprises later.
 
6. The Case of Application Fee Waivers
Application fees can add up quickly, especially if you’re applying to multiple programs. Many US-based schools offer fee waivers if you attend their information webinars or meet specific criteria. Reach out to departments early to inquire about these opportunities. Don’t be shy about asking—at worst, they’ll say no, but you might save significant money by taking advantage of these offers. Planning ahead can make the application process far more affordable.
 
7. A Study in Program Uniqueness
Finally, take time for introspection. Ask yourself: Why this program? What makes it unique? While several programs may align with your research interests, understanding what sets one apart from the rest is crucial. Whether it’s a particular professor, research focus, or even the department’s culture, identifying a unique fit will help you refine your list of schools. 
This self-reflection is also a powerful tool for crafting compelling statements of purpose. By clearly articulating your reasons for choosing a program, you’ll demonstrate your dedication and make your application stand out.
 
Pursuing a PhD is a bold and challenging endeavor, requiring careful planning and self-reflection. The journey will test your resilience but also offer unparalleled opportunities for growth and discovery.
By keeping these seven factors in mind, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the application process and choose a program that aligns with your goals and values. Remember, the mantra is simple: Research your research. Take the time to evaluate your options thoughtfully, and you’ll set yourself up for success in this exciting new chapter of your academic career.

Ah, white Christmas - a time for joy, laughter, and the inevitable barrage of questions from family members as you try to get the food in your mouth. How to reply properly, without boring or overwhelming those who crave answers? If you're worried about surviving a family dinner with endless questions and feel the pressure of being in the spotlight, you've come to the right place. Here's a quick guide on how to survive a holiday feast (based on my experience).

Facing the unavoidable
Be prepared. Relatives are often proud, curious, and perplexed to have a scientist in the family. And they won't waste an opportunity like this to bombard you with question after question. After the classical "Have you got a partner yet?", science starts.

So what exactly do you do?
The easiest answer is to give the title of your thesis or your research line. Don't do that. No one is going to understand that technical jargon. Instead, try to explain it in simple terms, like "I study how stars explode and create the elements that make up everything, including you, me, and Aunt Angela's turkey". At this point, if the others have yet to get up and leave, the conversation will flow on its own by answering their questions, as they want to know more about your field. Remember to keep it simple but engaging, grandma and little cousin also want to learn.

Cool, but do aliens exist?
It may be a joke question, but I like to flip it around and start a discussion. It's a great chance to explain how big the universe is and to think about the probability of not being alone in the cosmos. Isn't it great to turn a joke into a philosophical reflection that leaves everyone's jaws dropping?

Can you fix my phone?
No. But have you tried turning it off and on again?

Controversial questions
At some point, polemic questions may arise. Whether it is about global warming, nuclear power, or other hot-button topics, expect lively debates. These discussions can be tricky, especially when you’re surrounded by relatives with strong opinions. But don’t panic! This is your chance to steer the conversation in a productive direction. This is how I deal with this:

Stay calm and respectful
I know it's as easy to say as to get caught up in the heat of the moment. Responding calmly will reduce the chances of the dinner ending with a pile of broken dishes and barricade-like tables. Remember, the goal is not to “win” the argument but to share knowledge so that others can form their own opinion.

Be prepared for misinformation
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to encounter relatives who believe in conspiracy theories. In my case, it’s the “there’s no such thing as climate change” brother-in-law. Then, you can refer to the overall scientific agreement and explain how it is measured, citing data or events to which it can be related, such as extreme weather patterns.

Know when to give up
Sometimes people do not listen to any arguments other than their own and the debate may get too heated. If you feel that the conversation is starting to get into a loop, it’s perfectly fine to step away or change the subject. Don’t be afraid to say “I don't think we'll ever be able to agree”. Guess we'll talk about football now.

Embrace the science lover
There's always that one cousin or niece who is genuinely interested in scientific news. If you don't like being in the limelight, retreat to a corner and enjoy solo conversations and discussions with them. Share your knowledge and passion and, who knows, you may end up inspiring a future scientist!

The Escape Plan
If you feel overwhelmed or have been talking about work too much, it may be time to slip away. You can start with a quick trip to the restroom and stop in the kitchen on your way back. I like to help with food or refill dishes and drinks to disconnect and make some time. If you are fed up with science, bring some gossip back to the table. They love it!

Conclusion
Sometimes, questions don’t make sense or don’t relate at all to what we do. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know”. At the end of the day, we are human. Ordinary people. We are much more than our job and, while I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved professionally, I don’t want to be defined by just that. I have a lot more to offer in other aspects!

After all, surviving a holiday dinner is all about balancing the scientific with the social, the complex with the simple. If you think about it, it is the same kind of balance we carry out in our daily lives as researchers, so we have been training for this for years!

My final thought is that, in some way, family is just like our universe: varied, full of stars, each one shining in its own way. Even when we find ourselves surrounded by darkness, they are all a source of light and warmth during these cold holidays. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

If you are reading this post then you might be working in a foreign laboratory, or perhaps you are in your own country but have problems finding your place among your new international colleagues, or maybe you just find this topic interesting.  In any case, you are welcome to this space where I will try to shed some light on this topic by sharing my experiences on different occasions of working with people from around the world! Nowadays, science has benefited from new communication technologies, which allow faster and farther connections, and it is more common to be part of international collaborations of any size. Also, it is easier to travel around the world for research stays with your collaborators, thanks to initiatives like IReNA, that promote exchange of knowledge and skills. Without any distinction, theoreticians and experimental scientists/students could find themselves moving to new countries for their jobs. It could be for a short time, due to a workshop or conference, or for longer due to a postdoc or a permanent position at a laboratory/university. Unavoidably, during these trips, academics will interact with people from different backgrounds who are also at different stages of their careers. In that case, wouldn’t it be a great idea to take the initiative to understand the kind of issues that might arise during these interactions and how to mitigate them in order to create a healthy work environment for everyone?

Thanks to my trajectory, I have been fortunate to team up with people from Latin America, Europe, and the US at different times while visiting other countries like Romania, Spain, France, Italy, and Colombia. Sometimes you will be lucky to be in a very similar culture to the one you are from, but more often than not you will end up in a completely different society. You could still feel quite lost with even slight differences from what you are used to. In my opinion, two of the main problems that arise when working with people from different backgrounds are miscommunication problems and cultural shocks. The latter, according to C. Ward (1998), is described as an occupational disease and it is related to fear, anxiety, anger, and feelings of helplessness by people who suddenly find themselves living abroad [1]. Both phenomena, I think, have the same origin: the other person's reaction or interpretation of what we have said/done does not match our expectations or intentions.  

On one hand, it is easy to misunderstand other people even in our native language; let alone when two people from different states or even countries try to communicate with each other. This miscommunication could be due to the different accents, different usages of some words, and different ways of expressing themselves. As an example, there have been many times when talking with a foreign teammate, where at the end of the conversation we realized we were talking about completely different topics. In my experience, the best way to resolve such misunderstandings is to go all the way back to the beginning of the conversation and repeat, using more simple words, what you want to express. In that way, you can track your way in the conversation to the point where both of you agree on the meaning and move forward to the part that created the disconnect. As a result, you will build, little by little, a common context that will help avoid future misunderstandings. 

Cultural shocks are commonly encountered when visiting or living in a different country, even if their cultural differences are minimal. During my first trip to Spain, despite Spanish being my native language, I was somehow confused by the usage of the language there. While in Spain they are used to direct speech, which at first seemed rude to me, in Mexico we are not so straightforward. It took me a while to distinguish between when a person was really angry from their usual mood while socializing. I guess that it is hard to realize that the things that we take for granted in our homes are not commonly found in other places. 

Cultural adaptation may have different stages, which vary according to the demographic of the one experiencing it. Let me give you an example: you may have heard about the U-curve of cultural adjustment that says the adaptation process is composed of 4 phases: the honeymoon, the culture shock, the recovery, and the adjustment [2]. But, according to a study by C. Dailey-Strand (2021) [3], the process is more like a J-curve for foreign students, who do not experience the honeymoon stage, but rather face the cultural challenges first (see Figure 1). However, early social activities seeking integration into the host culture at the beginning of the stay are quite helpful in overcoming this first stage. So, if your team has gained a new member, a little guidance and understanding could make a huge difference in their experience. In case you are the new member, you should avoid isolation and try to look for social events where you can meet other international students at first. Furthermore, do not be afraid to try new activities or get deeper into the host society which will help you to know more people. The good news for you is that, after each time, it becomes a little bit easier to integrate into a new culture.

To summarize, you will face multiple challenges within your multicultural team mainly related to miscommunication and lack of a sense of belonging. While facing communication misunderstandings, a good way to resolve this problem is to create a common context within the team. As your time working as a group increases, your context will grow, and miscommunication will decrease over time. While dealing with cultural shocks can be difficult, you will benefit from being open-minded and trying new things. And although it is difficult to preserve your cultural identity in a new place, it should not stop you from trying new things and adopting local traditions from people you meet in your new life. This will enrich your point of view and expand your horizons.

I hope reading about these brief experiences will help you when working abroad or when a new member joins your work team! If you have experiences of your own where you have faced similar problems, and you want to share them, I would like to hear from you.


​References
[1] C. Ward, Y. Okura, A. Kennedy, and T. Kojima, Int. J. Intercultural Rel. 22 No 3, pages 277-291 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0147-1767(98)00008-X 
[2] B. Alamri, ELT 11 No 12 (2018). https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v11n12p77
[3] C. Dailey-Strand, H. Collins, and D. Callaghan, JCIHE 13 Issue 4, pages 73-84 (2021). http://www.doi.org/10.32674/jcihe.v13i4.3267  

Many scientists desire to have children but fear that this will hamper achieving their personal career goals. As in my experience it can be quite the opposite, I decided to share some thoughts about having children as a scientist, and how to manage and enjoy it.

"Macroscopic" management
The big decisions, let’s call them macroscopic, are mainly related to how we, as parents, will manage the general structure of our and our children’s lives. Sometimes one parent will decide to be the main carer and take a relatively long break from work (in my case, this was my husband); other times either or both parents will wish to take shorter leaves and keep working. In any case, I think that the best way to manage a family is to share responsibility equally as much as possible. For example, a primary carer needs to be able to, with the help of the other parent, take a decent amount of time off in the evenings and weekends to pursue their own interests. If both parents return to work, a good option, if allowed, is for both to obtain a part-time (e.g., 4 days/week) work contract, then they could each cover one weekday looking after the children. The other, e.g., 3 days will need extra resources, a relative, a creche (daycare center), a babysitter, or a mix of these. While the family budget needs to be carefully evaluated to find the best possible scenarios, I would not worry about a baby having different places and people to relate to, even when very young. Children are very resilient and different relationships are enriching, if the parents do not stress too much about them and also spend time with their children. 

"Microscopic" management
Parents also have to deal with a huge amount of what I’ll call microscopic caring, from getting kids ready for school in the morning to bedtime routines in the evening, the occasional illnesses, etc. In my opinion and experience, also these constant chores are better structured to be shared as equally as possible between the parents and, crucially, independently. This means that when it is one parent’s turn, for example, to get the kids ready for school, the other parent does not interfere. This way everyone can perform the chores in their own way, with no judgement and hopefully with trust, and avoid wasting time discussing details, or doing and undoing the same task. In my family, we learned this right from the start: with our first baby, we both got up at night to feed and change the baby. The result was we were both exhausted all the time. Soon, we moved to a better structure: I got up all night whatever happened, but from about 6am onwards my husband dealt with almost everything. This way we could both get some decent hours of sleep because it is easier for me to get back to sleep at night, but I hate getting up early in the morning, while for my husband it is the opposite. This is just an example, and clearly every situation and every family are different. The real challenge is to find creative solutions that work well and change them if needed. In the end, we raised 4 kids, with my career interrupted for four separate leaves over 12 years: 3 months paid leave for the birth of the first child in the UK, 6 months in-between jobs for the birth of the second child in Italy (we saved for that and spent time with family); 3 months paid leave for the birth of the twins in Australia; and then 6 months in-between jobs to travel (camping!) around Australia with the family, before moving back to Europe. A few years later also my husband went back to work, after spending about 15 years as the primary carer.

Full enjoyment
Even if working full time, I was there with the children as much as I could, which forced me to become very efficient at work. One may fear that using any spare moment, including every evening and every weekend, to be with the children may not allow enough time and energy for work, and therefore hamper career prospects. However, I found this to actually be quite the opposite. In fact, the good news is that parenting is not only enjoyable but can be good for the brain! This happens when parents pay full attention to their children and are fully present with them, rather than having their minds elsewhere, for example, on work. To be fully present allows the brain to completely rest, which, in turn, promotes creativity and prevents burnout. Newton formulated gravity under a tree, “It was occasion’d by the fall of an apple, as he sat in contemplative mood” and who has not experienced the best ideas and solutions popping up in the mind while not thinking about them, or after a rest? Overall, such attitudes can help to reduce worries about the impact of parenting on work and promote less anxiety and more enjoyment both at work and at home.