"Building connections with lab and field researchers will impact how I approach computational work"

Verna Cola, from the Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands) spent a month on a research exchange at the University of Burgos (UBU) in Feb-March 2026.

1. What’s your name and where are you from?

I am Verna Cola from the Philippines.

2. Which organization do you work for?

I work at the Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology in Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the Netherlands.

3. Where did you do your secondment?

I did my secondment at ICCRAM - Universidad de Burgos, Spain.

ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE

4. What motivated you to take part in this exchange?

I thought that being on-site would provide a valuable opportunity to collaborate and build rapport with consortium partners. As a computational researcher, it also felt important to understand first-hand the type of work in the field and in the lab that are necessary to produce the types of data I analyse.

5. How would you describe your secondment experience in one sentence?

The secondment experience was very enjoyable and enriching both in and out of work, primarily due to the people I worked with.

6. What project or task did you enjoy the most during your stay?

I enjoyed exploring data repositories that were unfamiliar to me. One of the repository websites could not filter datasets as I needed, so trying to understand the logic of the API and conversing with one of the developers regarding data collection options were interesting experiences.

7. Did you learn anything new or unexpected? What was it?

I’ve had very limited time in the lab before, so I enjoyed participating in experiments with the host team. Learning to plate bacteria was particularly interesting because this type of work is usually part of a series of tasks that eventually produces the type of data I analyse in my research.

8. What surprised you most about working in a different country or with a new team?

The working culture was very different from the Netherlands! Schedules were very flexible and having morning coffee with colleagues provided the space to get to know them in a more relaxed environment.

LIFE OUTSIDE WORK

9. What did you like the most about the place where you stayed?

It was a very walkable and picturesque place, so it was relaxing to go out to shop, see tourist spots, or simply walk around alone or with colleagues. There also seemed to be a culture of walking around the city after work hours, so it was nice to be out and about with everyone else.

10. Do you have a fun or memorable story from your secondment?

I learned how to ski and had loads of fun! It was very funny to attend the skiing basics course in Spanish; it was like learning through charades. But the coach was very nice, and I was grateful to the people in the class translating for us when we really couldn’t follow. It was also so gracious of our hosts to teach us a bit more after the course.

LOOKING AHEAD

11. How do you think this experience will help you in your work or career?

I think building connections and engaging with people who work primarily in the field or in the lab provides valuable perspectives that will impact the way I approach computational work. Additionally, experiencing a different working culture broadens my understanding of people and of processes, which will be beneficial throughout my career.

12. What advice would you give to someone about to do a similar exchange?

I would recommend taking every opportunity to socialise in and out of the workplace, and to just ask if there is anything you would like to learn from them or viceversa.