Young Scientists

Supporting the young generation of scientists and promoting their scientific careers is among the key objectives of MRDA.    We develop programs and activities that help young researchers initiate collaboration with foreign scientists for experience exchange and use of the state-of-the-art instrumentation. We help them become project leaders, explore their research ideas, and obtain good results, thus proving their scientific talents.    

Under Moldovan Travel Fellowship Program MRDA awarded 38 young scientists and engineers with travel grants for a period of two to three months and more to the United States.  They had opportunities to work in modern, well-equipped laboratories and initiate collaboration with US scientists.  Upon return to Moldova young people were eligible to apply for a Follow-on grant to continue   collaboration with newly established US partners. 

The young scientist Dr. Angela Port from the Department of Plant Biology at the State University of Moldova learned new molecular biology techniques and screening methods of Genetic Modified Organisms (GMO).  Training activity and research was conducted at the Plant Transformation Research Center of the University of California, Riverside, USA under the guidance of Dr. Martha Orozco-Cardenas.

The young investigator developed qualitative GMOs screening protocols to adjust the ``Biological Security`` lab’s facilities for screening PCR-based experiments and herbicide bioassays. Dr. Port managed to update the GMOs data base and develop a teaching course on „Transgenes expression in plants” and a training course on „GMO screening based on PCR” for graduated and master degree students and lab personnel.

This is the first laboratory in Moldova to focus on GMO screening and training of students and young scientists in a relatively new field for Moldova which might lead to future assurance of biosafety in the region.

The success of this program was obvious and well-mentioned during a two-day Experience Exchange Workshop held in September 2006 in Vadul lui Voda. Former MTFP grantees highlighted the program benefits, shared experience and exchanged practices on living and making research in the US.  In a survey, 100% of both Moldovan and US scientists stated the initiation of a fruitful collaboration; expressed wish to continue the initiated partnership and participate in such programs in the future.