Ao abrigo de uma Bolsa Fulbright para Investigação com o apoio da FCT e no âmbito do seu doutoramento em ‘Biology’ da Universidade Nova de Lisboa-FCT, Beatriz Mariz desenvolveu parte da sua pesquisa na Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, EUA.
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«As a Fulbright Portugal fellow, I had the unique opportunity to spend four months at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, PA, where I advanced my PhD research through the project titled “Mysteries of the Cell Wall: From the Biogenesis of Extracellular Vesicles to the Role of Cross Bridges”. Outside the lab, I found one of the most dynamic and inspiring environments I’ve ever worked in. The atmosphere at CMU was energetic, intellectually stimulating, and deeply supportive. One highlight was presenting part of my doctoral research at the Rust Belt Microbiome (RBM) conference, held at the University of Pittsburgh. This local but prestigious event brought together leading experts in the field and allowed me to share my work and experience the spirit of American science at its best.
Beyond academia, my time in the U.S. was rich in cultural exchange and personal growth. I joined in seasonal traditions like painting Halloween decorations and celebrating an American-style Christmas, complete with festive home decorations and a “White Elephant” gift exchange— a humorous and spirited tradition I had never experienced. These moments helped me feel welcomed and gave me a sense of connection to local customs.
American gastronomy was another delightful part of the cultural experience. I tried traditional dishes, from Southern-style barbecue to homemade pumpkin pie (Figure 6). In return, I shared part of my culture by baking traditional Portuguese bread for my lab colleagues, who were curious and enthusiastic to try it. This simple culinary exchange sparked conversations about heritage, food, and identity—one of many meaningful moments of mutual understanding.
This experience was undoubtedly transformative — both professionally and personally. It took me out of my comfort zone and away from everything familiar, challenging me to grow as a scientist and a person. I return more experienced, more confident, and more curious about the professional paths that lie ahead. I sincerely thank Fulbright Portugal for making this journey possible. The experience has left a lasting impact on both my career and my perspective on the world.»
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Thank you, Beatriz, welcome back!