One Health PACT / Avans – Lab-student: Melanie Neele

Who am I?

My name is Melanie Neele. I am 20 years old and I am currently in the third year of the study Biology and Laboratorial Research at Avans Hogeschool in Breda.

What subject will I be focussing on this semester? What will I be researching?

I am now doing the specialization Patient-oriented research. I’m working on a project called Investigation of Apoptosis in Usutu virus infection in blackbirds. We investigate the gene expression of several genes involved in the apoptosis due to the Usutu virus. I am doing this research together with my project partner Wendy Lam.

What would I like to learn?

A virus that is becoming more and more common is the Usutu virus. A number of studies have already been conducted on the effect of apoptosis. More research is needed on the impacts of this virus. I want to contribute to that with this project and learn more about it myself.

What do I want to do with this in the future?

In the future, I would like to focus on human and especially animal health. One health PACT is also concerned with the health of organisms and the spread of diseases. I would be very interested in contributing to this.

You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-neele-876257223/

I will now pass the baton to Raf van de Vijver.