Mateusz Hasso Agopsowicz

Project: Investigation of variations in immune responses of UK and Ugandan infants following BCG vaccination

What were you doing before you joined the MRC DTP scheme?

MSc in Immunology and Infectious Diseases at LSHTM

What do you enjoy most about your day-to-day work and the people you work with?

I like being challenge everyday and being able to work independently.

What do you value most about the MRC DTP studentship?

There is a sense of community between students. My colleagues are smart and have innovative ideas allowing us to learn from each other. 

What additional training have you attended with MRC DTP money?

I went to learn a lab method in the Netherlands, which was crucial to complete my PhD. I also attended a “Quantitative Immunology” course organised by the University of Hong Kong and Pasteur. It was an excellent way to combine bioinformatics and immunology. I also attended bioinformatics courses in Toronto and Cambridge. These courses helped me in my data analysis.

Where did you go on your placement? What did you do?

I went on a placement to the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. I analysed correlates of protection for rotavirus vaccines as well as managed a meta-analysis project for Hepatitis B prevalence. 

Do you have any tips for future MRC DTP scholarship applicants?

Work hard and take every opportunity there is out there. Don’t be shy and ask a lot of questions. Go to seminars, take classes and go to training, you may not have this opportunity again.