New year, new job! I have started as a postdoctoral fellow at EMBL Heidelberg, in the group of Anna Erzberger. I will be working on the segmentation clock, a genetic oscillator responsible for laying down the segmented body plan in vertebrates. In this project I'll be able to combine my experience in nonlinear dynamics and biological oscillators with new topics such as cell surface mechanics and cell movement. I look forward to working at EMBL and enjoying this stimulating environment!

Good news: I have been awarded one of the EIPOD postdoctoral fellowships at EMBL. The goal of this three-year postdoctoral fellowship is to work on a research project involving different groups at EMBL and possibly, external partners. I will work with the groups of Anna Erzberger and Alexander Aulehla on an interdisciplinary project, with Jordi Garcia-Ojalvo as external partner. The topic will be the segmentation clock, and how mechanics and movement of cells influence this genetic oscillator. More information about the EIPOD program can be found here.

During the month of September I stayed at IFISC in Palma de Mallorca. I worked with Damià Gomila on a peculiar oscillating system, generated by a time-delayed negative feedback. I looked at how the system behaves when coupled in space through diffusion. Besides that, I also got to enjoy some nice views in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.

On the 27th of May, 2021, I defended my PhD at KU Leuven. The title of my thesis is 'The role of bistability and time delay in the coordination of the cell cycle'. Due to corona regulations only a limited number of people could attend, but fortunately we were able to have a drink outside afterwards. Thanks to everyone that was there, and especially to Lendert, my promotor, and the jury: Enrico Carlon, Karel Talavera Pérez, Edda Klipp and Jordi Garcia-Ojalvo.