Why did you choose this programme at the time?

After obtaining my BSc in Psychobiology, I was especially fascinated by the biological mechanisms that drive brain diseases. I therefore chose the Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology track, as I expected it would offer the opportunity to deepen my understanding of brain disease mechanisms and explore how this knowledge can contribute to the development of new treatments.

Why did you choose the UvA?

I chose the UvA for my BSc in Psychobiology and greatly enjoyed both the programme, the student life in Amsterdam and the amazing new (at the time) Science Park building. As this MSc stood out because it matched my interests perfectly, choosing to stay at the UvA was straightforward.

How much freedom did you have when selecting courses or projects? Are there opportunities to tailor the programme to your interests?

Although it has been a few years since I completed the programme (2014), I remember having a great deal of freedom to shape my MSc experience around my own interests. Through lectures and seminars, we were introduced to a wide range of research groups and topics, which provided a broad overview of ongoing research in the Netherlands. We were then encouraged to approach research groups ourselves to arrange internships, allowing us to gain hands-on experience in areas that matched our interests. In addition, students could take elective courses at both the UvA and the VU. For example, I chose to follow a microscopy course at the VU to further develop specific skills relevant to my research interests. Overall, the programme was very well designed to help students discover their scientific interests and explore potential career paths.

How practical or theoretical is the programme?

The programme provided a nice balance between theoretical coursework and practical experience. Through two long research internships, I was able to apply what I learned in class in my research projects and gain hands-on wet-lab experience.

How would you describe the atmosphere within the programme? Do you interact a lot with fellow students and lecturers? Are there many group assignments, or is the focus more on individual work?

I really enjoyed the atmosphere within the programme. Because the program was organised by principal investigators leading their own research groups, we had the opportunity to interact directly with active researchers in the field. Guest lecturers were also very approachable and open to discussions. In fact, talking to one of the guest lecturers afterwards helped me in getting my first research internship.

There were plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow students as well. The programme included a good balance of group assignments and individual work. We worked together in groups on specific assignments and had to read and study individually for the exams and for independent assignments. This allowed us to work in teams and at the same discover our own interests.

What types of thesis or graduation projects are possible? Can you provide an example of your own project?

There are many possibilities for graduation projects, typically in the form of a research internship. One of the strengths of the programme is the flexibility to choose a research group that aligns with your interests, allowing students to gain experience in a wide range of research areas.

For my own graduation project, I joined a research group that worked on Huntington’s disease. I was able to experience what it is like to work in a research environment and work on a topic and learn wet-lab techniques which matched my interests. Through the internship I gained experience in designing and conducting research, analysing data, and working as part of a scientific team. This experience, as well as the first research internship I did, played an important role in shaping my future career and inspired me to pursue a career in academic research.

Was it easy for you to find a job after your master’s? How did you end up in your current workplace?

Finding a PhD position immediately after my master's was not entirely straightforward, as I was unsuccessful in a few applications initially. However, the connections I built during my first research internship ended up being invaluable. By staying in touch with the principal investigator whose group I had joined as an intern, I was later able to join as a PhD in that research group.

My experience shows the importance of networking and building professional relationships during your studies. This is not something that came to me naturally, but within the MSc program I was already stimulated to do so. After completing my PhD, I pursued a postdoctoral position abroad while maintaining contact with my PhD supervisor. When I started planning the next step in my career, we reconnected and I was able to secure funding to return to the same department, where I now continue my academic career as an assistant professor and lead my own research team.

What advice would you give to someone considering this master’s programme?

My advice would be to choose this programme if you are curious about the biological mechanisms underlying brain diseases and (think you will) enjoy research. The combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on research experience provides an excellent foundation for both an academic career and many other careers in research and healthcare. It is also a great way to discover which areas of neuroscience and psychopathology interest you most.