The OXIPRO team at NORCE is delighted to welcome a new young researcher to the team, enabling him to complete his MSc in a cutting-edge environment. Tomas Prado, from Spain, will be working on testing new trimethylamine monooxygenase candidate enzymes and engineering of existing Tmm enzymes in order to learn from cofactor preferences within these FMOs
Prior to his arrival in Norway, Tomas studied for a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) from 2017, graduating in 2021. Tomas says: “One of the OXIPRO partners from UAB, Gregorio Alvaro Campos, was my teacher in one course related to Chemical Engineering, more precisely Separation and Purification Processes. During my last year on the BSc, I went on exchange to Bergen, where I had the opportunity to do an internship in SARS International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology and carry out research on stem cells of Nematostella vectensis.
After my graduation in 2021, I decided to stay in Norway and start a Master’s Degree in Aquaculture Biology at UiB. Living in Bergen can be tough, especially if you’re used to the Spanish climate. However, you become accustomed to the rainy weather after a while and you learn to appreciate and enjoy the rare occasions when the sun is shining.
For my thesis, I wanted to do something related to the marine environment and sustainability, and also apply my background in Biotechnology. Therefore, being part of the OXIPRO project achieves these goals. During this year I expect to learn how to work in a lab with more independence, and to experience what it is like to be in an RTO like NORCE.
OXIPRO is delighted to welcome Tomas on board and welcomes the opportunity to support him in his quest for further skills and knowledge for a successful career ahead.