A curiosity that ended up making a difference for patients

For Sandra, her journey as a researcher began with a curiosity; “to know more about the physiology, biology, and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular- and kidney systems and the cross-talk between the heart, the vessels and the kidneys”. In 2021, she became a DCAcademy grant recipient and in 2022, she started her PhD project titled “The role of PCSK9 in cardiovascular- and kidney disease”. 

The aim of the project was to explore the potential dual cardioprotective and renoprotective effect of PCSK9-inhibition in rodent models of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) with associated hypercholesterolemia. With this research, Sandra hoped to make a difference for patients with kidney disease. 

Sandra’s supervisor helped her shape her own path

When asked about her time as a PhD student, the first thing that comes to Sandra’s mind is: “building a network within the cardiometabolic field, steep learning curves, and intense years”. However, one supervisor especially took Sandra under her wing and helped her during this time.

This was her main supervisor, Kathrin Weyer, Associate Professor at Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University. According to Sandra, Kathrin trained her in science and exposed her to relevant collaborators. In addition, Sandra highlights: “Kathrin allowed me to bring my own ideas forward and follow my own path which I think is admirable and fosters development”. This helped Sandra find her own way and navigate the challenges to come during her PhD project.

Experimental and logistical challenges

Like any research project, Sandra’s PhD project was not without its challenges. While doing her research, the biggest challenges Sandra recollects were several experimental- and logistical challenges. The experimental challenges included having to qualify and optimise assays. To this Sandra says: “when I reflect on the experimental challenges today, I realize that such challenges are very common, and more a general part of a PhD project. However, during my PhD, experimental challenges caused lots of frustrations”. 

Sandra also encountered multiple logistical challenges as she did the first part of her PhD in Aarhus and the second part at Novo Nordisk in the greater Copenhagen area. This meant that she had to do all her teaching already the first year as this had to be done while she was at Aarhus University. 

Then, she moved from Aarhus to Copenhagen and commuted a lot during her time as a PhD student. When living in Aarhus, she also conducted experiments at Novo Nordisk forcing her to learn how to coordinate and plan her time thoroughly. 

Working with animals also posed challenges when having to react quickly in one way or the other. Fortunately, Sandra had great colleagues both in Aarhus and at Novo Nordisk who could help her in these critical situations. These sorts of challenges taught Sandra how to become a strong communicator and coordinator, skills that she continues to use at her current job. 

Working as a Research Scientist at Novo Nordisk

Today, Sandra is a Research Scientist in the Cardiometabolic Comorbidities Therapy Area at Novo Nordisk. Before even defending her PhD, Sandra stepped into this position on the 1^st of March 2024. She was offered the job at Novo Nordisk with the start date 10 month before she was supposed to hand-in her PhD. Thus, Sandra had to balance preparing for her PhD defence and working in a new job position.

From the beginning of her PhD project, she was interested in exploring how the pharma industry conducts research. Fortunately, she did part of her PhD with Novo Nordisk providing insights into applied research which combines cardiometabolic research with drug development. 

The importance of community and networking

For Sandra, being a DCAcademy grant recipient has opened the door to her current position. Furthermore, she emphasises the community and networking aspect of DCAcademy as particularly fulfilling: “the DCAcademy invited me into a strong community of other researchers within the field”. Sandra also highlights the significance of being exposed to the network of cardiovascular researchers across regions through DCAcademy’s courses and events which “in a higher degree facilitates network across the country”, Sandra says.

Looking into the future, Sandra aspires to continue within the cardiometabolic field - perhaps in a managerial position where she can continue with her journey with research.