Inquisitive, Creative, Determined

"Magdalena Rados is a colleague whom I deeply admire as she continues to significantly advance our research in the fields of sympathoadrenal development, neuroblastoma (NB) development, and epigenetics. The goal of her proposed studies is to understand the epigenome of NB and the molecular mechanisms involved in its initiation and progression. Magdalena has used several models of NB in combination with single-cell chromatin and transcriptome approaches as well as biochemical techniques to dissect the differential roles of the genetic and epigenetic components in the onset and development of NB. Her studies have begun to elucidate how epigenetic aberrations trigger the oncogenic events that lead to NB development, including identification of new epigenetic signatures along with the associated molecular mechanisms that regulate them in NB, which will hopefully guide us toward improved therapies for the treatment of NB. During her doctoral training, Magdalena has acquired a broad array of laboratory skills that include the use of several cell lines (stem cells and primary cancer cell lines) to generate 2D and 3D organoid models. She is skilled in the use of several gene-editing approaches and biochemical and cellular assays to determine processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, protein-protein interactions, and drug testing. In recent years, this expertise was complemented with measurement of genome-wide and gene specific differences in DNA methylation and transcriptome changes through techniques of next generation sequencing and single-cell approaches. She not only knows how to perform these techniques, but also has investigated and understands the scientific basis underlying them so that she can identify and correct problems as they arise. However, what truly sets her apart is her remarkable ability to foster interdisciplinary collaboration by integrating diverse areas of expertise—(epi)genetics, neurobiology, bioinformatics into cohesive research strategies. Finally, Magdalena Rados is a remarkable young investigator and has already coauthored several articles, published in top international peer-reviewed journals. In recognition of her contributions, she has been invited to present her work at international meetings, and has been the recipient of several awards, including Best Poster Award from the Neuroblastoma Research Conference. Her achievements are truly remarkable for someone so early in her career. I consider her intelligence, creativity, commitment, and research experience to be highly predictive for a successful career in research. It is for these attributes that I give my most enthusiastic support to this application."

Nominated by Irfete Fetahu, Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Medical University of Vienna, Austria