2015_12_09_CIE_

Asier Ullate studied Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Navarra and when he finished both degrees, in 2012, he decided to study a Master's Degree in Bioinformatics and data analysis at the University of Geneva. After finishing, he was offered to continue there the doctorate, project in which he has been immersed for the last year and a half. As a belated reward for his effort, he has been notified that he has obtained the first award National End of degree program of Biochemistry awarded by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport thanks to his brilliant passage through the classrooms of Hexagon Building.

- How do you value this award? Did you expect it?
I was very happy to receive this award. It is the fruit of many years of effort. The truth is that I thought that I could have taken something, but I never imagined that it would be a first award.

- How hard is it to get the award National Award for Excellence in College Academic Achievement?
It's not easy, considering that only eight first prizes are awarded in the area for Science for the whole state. I feel privileged to be among those people and that the work during the licentiate degree has allowed me to get here. I was fortunate to have had wonderful teachers and amazing class classmates throughout degree program. They have had a great influence in making it happen.

- How are you orienting your professional degree program now?
After finishing my programs of study in Biology and Biochemistry I came to the University of Geneva with a scholarship from the Government of Navarra to study a Master's Degree in Bioinformatics and data analysis and I did my project at the laboratory of Artificial and Natural Evolution (LANE - Laboratory of Artificial and Natural Evolution). Afterwards, I was offered a doctorate in the same laboratory, in which I am immersed right now for almost a year and a half.

- How has your double major in Biology and Biochemistry contributed to this?
Fundamentally it has given me a great base internship and knowledge that I find useful in day to day life. Going abroad I have discovered that the Education we receive has nothing to envy to that of other countries and I feel that we are amply prepared and qualified. They were intense years, but I have to admit that doing the double licentiate degree in Biology and Biochemistry was a great idea and opens more doors in the future.

- Where would you like to work in the near future?
At the moment I am only focused on trying to finish my doctorate, which is not little. After that, I would like to follow an academic degree program or work as a bioinformatician in a university or business, but I don't want to close doors for myself. What I have clear is that I will opt for something that supposes a challenge at staff and professional level.