Edinburgh Scientific Exchange: "accelerated my thinking and pushed my project forward"

From April - June 2025, our EpiCrossBorders PhD researcher Daniele Scarcella undertook a scientific exchange at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine in Edinburgh—an inspiring component of their EpiCrossBorders affiliated PhD project.

Reflecting on his experience, Daniele shared:

My exchange in Edinburgh was designed to kick-start my EpiCrossBorders project on modelling lineage bias in clonal hematopoiesis and leukemia, with direct guidance and close scientific support from my Edinburgh supervisor. Professionally, the experience was a major highlight because it gave me the opportunity to learn key methods in much greater depth from someone with extensive expertise in the area, and to benefit from frequent, informal discussions with lab colleagues working on closely related questions - an exchange that is less common in my day-to-day environment in Munich. Personally, I especially appreciated the open-office culture at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine, which made it remarkably easy to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and sparked many spontaneous conversations. Beyond the lab, Scotland’s nature was genuinely breathtaking, and Edinburgh itself was at its best in spring: a welcoming, lively city where people are open and where art and music feel woven into everyday life.

We’re proud to foster these international experiences through the EpiCrossBorders programme.