Hendrik is pursuing a career within toxicology research

What did you study as an undergraduate (bachelor)?

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biosciences at Trier University in Germany. I started studying the subject as I was very interested in biology in general, and because it allowed me to cover a broad range of subjects, including environmental chemistry, toxicology and ecology. 

Why did you choose the Master programme in Toxicology?

I wanted to continue studying in the field of toxicology, as I had various modules in my bachelor’s that were connected to it, including my thesis project where I worked on an in vitro model for skin sensitization. The programme syllabus of the master’s was very interesting to me, as it had a focus on human health, which I wanted to pivot to. Furthermore, the possibility of learning from different experts with backgrounds in both chemical and pharmaceutical toxicology seemed like a great opportunity.

Where did you conduct your MSc thesis and what was it about?

I conducted my thesis project in the Unit of Systems Toxicology at Karolinska, under supervision of Professor Nanna Fyhrquist and in collaboration with researchers from the University of Turku (Finland). The goal of my project was to investigate potential connections between lifestyles and allergies to the gut microbial composition of children, with a special focus on antibiotic resistance genes that are carried by microorganisms. To achieve that goal, I employed various statistical methods on a large dataset, which was a great experience. 

How did the Bergendorff summer internship support your research training? 

The Bergendorff internship helped me a lot in my research training. I was able to learn and apply new methods such as confocal microscopy to ex vivo skin models, which were also new to me. As the project was relatively short, I learnt how to make the most with the given time, for example by prioritizing certain experiments over others, as they were more likely to provide clear answers to the research question. Additionally, as no research comes without problems, I learnt how to efficiently troubleshoot difficulties, which is a great help in any occupation. 

Looking back on your time at KI and the Master programme in Toxicology, what is the most valuable thing that you learned?

The most valuable thing for me was to learn how to interpret research data in the field of toxicology. The programme was especially eye-opening in that aspect, as the potential hazard of a compound can look very different depending on the test system that the data is derived from, e.g., there can be huge differences between the results from animal or in vitro testing. To be able to critically judge all the available data is a great skill.

Where are you and what are you doing now?

I am currently working as a research assistant at the Unit of Systems Toxicology where I am responsible for the recruitment of a cohort that will be used to study the exposure of children to metals and organic compounds such as PFAS. Furthermore, I hope to publish my thesis project in a journal in the coming months. 

What made you decide on this career?

I was always interested in performing research and liked the project that came with the position, which is a great opportunity to apply a lot of the knowledge I have from the master’s programme.