Roman Urban
PIPS Host Organisation: Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging
Project Title: Intern to Facility Managers

During his PIPS placement at the Rudolf Virchow Center, Roman Urban’s main goal was to learn and observe how research facilities are maintained and operated, with an emphasis on the structural biology field. This included hands-on experience as well as interaction and collaboration with facility managers and coordinators, providing a practical understanding of research facility operations on a fundamental level.

Roman was introduced to a myriad of techniques and their applications on a broad scale, granting him the knowledge to make informed decisions on the most suitable techniques for specific goals. This experience gave him perspective on the differences in research culture and allowed him to grow as a researcher. He had the opportunity to learn structural biology from experts in the field, understanding its strengths and weaknesses, and considering its applications in his own and broader research.

Most importantly, the placement helped Roman think of scientific research in more translational terms, focusing on what is worth doing and the potential impact on his project and the world, rather than on questions that might be interesting but lack practical application. The experience also opened his mind to the power of collaboration when done properly, with everyone working towards a shared goal through their expertise, rather than working on individual projects.