We have had the pleasure of hosting Yolanda, who came from Regensburg to Oslo to perform a traineeship, which is part of her bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering. Yolanda's traineeship was designed to encompass a broad spectrum of skills essential for micro-CT imaging, including sample preparation, image acquisition, data analysis, and interpretation. Demonstrating an ability to grasp complex concepts quickly, Yolanda became proficient in utilising sophisticated software tools for image reconstruction and Dragonfly for comprehensive data analysis.
One of the highlights of her traineeship was her work on scanning mouse mandibles, where she honed her skills in conducting scans and extracting and processing data to gain new insights. Yolanda's dedication and meticulous attention to detail allowed her to manage sample preparation and image acquisition independently, showcasing her remarkable progress in image analysis.
Reflecting on her experience, Yolanda shared, "The focus of my traineeship was working with microCT and especially getting to know the techniques of contrast-enhanced microCT scanning. The key experiment I worked on was scanning mouse mandibles, which taught me valuable skills I will carry forward in my studies and future career."
Addressing challenges head-on, Yolanda says that "The most challenging part of the traineeship was working with different types of software in order to work with the scans from the microCT. I got help from Torben, who was very good at explaining the functions and applications of the software to me. Also, I watched some YouTube tutorials and tried to work out some problems on my own." This collaborative environment enhanced her technical skills and enriched her understanding of interdisciplinary research, opening new avenues for her academic and professional journey.
"The internship gave me good insight into the world of research, and I will definitely consider going in this direction in the future. Also, I really enjoyed working with the microCT, and I would like to learn more about this field in my future studies," Yolanda remarked, emphasising the impact of her traineeship on her career aspirations. Her memorable experience of comparing microCT images with histology highlighted the innovative potential of contrast-enhanced microCT to revolutionise our understanding of biological structures.
As Yolanda returns to OTH Regensburg, she takes with her enhanced technical skills and a profound appreciation for the collaborative spirit and interdisciplinary approach that define research at the University of Oslo's Department of Biomaterials. We are excited to see how Yolanda applies her newfound knowledge and experiences to her ongoing studies and beyond, and we are confident that she will continue to make significant contributions to biomaterials research. We are also happy to hear that the experience in Norway was successful academically and allowed us to visit Lofoten Island, which we are sure will be a memory for life.
The Department of Biomaterials extends our heartfelt congratulations to Yolanda Humphris on her successful traineeship and looks forward to following her promising career in the sciences.