2014_12_22_CIE_carmona

Francisco Javier Carmona graduated in Biology at the School of Sciences of the University of Navarra. He is currently doing research at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. After almost a decade of professional career, he recalls his time at the University of Navarra. 

Why did you decide to study Biology?
It was quite clear to me since I became interested in the world of research, and from the beginning I knew that this was what I wanted to do when I left School.

Where did you prepare your doctoral thesis ?
I started my training research at the CNIO, at Dr Esteller's laboratory , and when he moved to Barcelona I followed him and finished my thesis doctoral degree at the Epigenetics and Cancer Biology Program (IDIBELL).

Do you think that studying at the University of Navarra opened doors for you abroad?
Yes. Studying at the University of Navarra allowed me to meet the person who has been my closest and most influential mentor in my degree program, Dr. Luis Montuenga, with whom I still maintain an excellent relationship and in a way has guided my steps to what I am and where I am today.

What differential value do you think the University of Navarra contributed?
The close attention of the staff professor; and at the academic level, the excellent level of the internships at Departments.

Would you recommend other students to do part of their degree program outside Spain?
I consider that doing a overseas study period, either before or after degree program, or during it, is an enriching experience. Even more so nowadays when everything moves on a global scale, entering contact with other cultures, other ways of thinking and working, and knowing how to adapt to other customs, confers a maturity and a much broader vision of the world that has a positive impact on a professional level, so I would say that in addition to being advisable, going abroad is even necessary.

Any anecdote or memory you have from the School that you have remembered while practicing.
I recently met in a congress with the first person who taught me how to work in laboratory when I started the Biomarkers internship at CIMA, Jackie Agorreta, and we were chatting and remembering that stage when I was taking my first steps. After some time, I still do certain things the same way she taught me 10 years ago.