Field of studies Biological Therapeutics (studies in English) - University of Warsaw (Uniwersytet Warszawski), UW (Warsaw) - Postgraduate - Master's degree - Study Bachelor's and Master's in English in Poland

1. You’re reading about a drug that is a monoclonal antibody. What interests you most?

How the antibody recognises its target, how it’s produced in cell cultures and what side effects it might have. Which disease it’s used to treat. Nothing in particular – a drug is a drug.

2. Which modules on your Bachelor’s did you find most rewarding?

Molecular biology, immunology and biochemistry – especially the lab work. Biology modules in general, with no particular favourites. The ones that had nothing to do with the natural sciences.

3. A cell culture you’ve been working on for weeks becomes contaminated. How do you react?

Work out where things went wrong, tighten up my aseptic technique and start again. Get annoyed, but simply set up a new culture. Lose my enthusiasm for lab work.

4. Seminars, projects and reading are all in English, and your group includes people from different countries. How do you find it?

Fine – I read research papers in English with ease and can present my results to an international audience. Reading is no problem, but speaking in front of others in English makes me nervous. I’d rather study only in my native language.

5. Biological medicines must meet strict quality standards. How do you feel about documenting every step of your work?

I understand patient safety depends on it, so I keep very careful records. I do it because I have to, though it sometimes feels excessive. I see paperwork as a waste of time.

6. Gene and cell therapies raise great hopes, but also ethical questions. What’s your view?

I want to understand both how they work and the risks and dilemmas that come with them. I’m mainly interested in the science – I leave the ethics to others. I don’t have a view and don’t plan to think about it.

7. Your experiment’s results don’t support the hypothesis your supervisor was hoping for. What do you do?

Review the methodology, repeat the experiment and report the results honestly, even if they’re inconvenient. Repeat it in the hope it turns out as expected this time. Drop that line of research.

8. Where do you picture yourself working after your Master’s?

In R&D at a biotech company, in biologics manufacturing or doing a PhD. Anywhere, as long as it’s close to biology. Probably outside science and medicine.

9. How do you keep up with advances in medical biotechnology?

I regularly read papers and review articles, and follow lectures and conferences online. I sometimes read popular science articles. I don’t really keep up.

10. What motivates you most to pursue a Master’s degree in Biological Therapeutics?

The chance to help develop cutting-edge biological medicines – from antibodies to gene and cell therapies. An interest in biotechnology and medicine. I’m not sure it’s for me

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