Erasmus+ mobility: ITM junior researcher and PhD-student Johanna Bouckaert attending an inspiring training in Hamburg!
From 16-27 September 2024, ITM junior researcher and PhD-student Johanna Bouckaert attended the Laboratory Systems and Public Health in Resource-limited settings (LAB-SPHERE) training at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) in Hamburg, with the support of an Erasmus+ mobility grant.
During the Erasmus+ mobility, Johanna Bouckaert gained valuable knowledge, practical skills, and competences across a broad range of topics related to laboratory diagnostics, public health, and infectious disease control, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The training at BNITM provided a unique and invaluable setting for her professional development as a researcher. As the National Reference Centre for Tropical Infectious Agents and as the WHO's Collaborating Center for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, BNITM was an ideal location for the LAB-SPHERE training, which aligned closely with her research focus on flavivirus diagnostics.
The BNITM’s expertise in tropical diseases and diagnostics development complements Johanna’s experiences at ITM, offering a stimulating environment for reflection and enhancement of her research.
“The training addressed dengue virus-related topics, offering immediate insights applicable to my work, Johanna says. Additionally, the training pushed me out of my comfort zone, increasing my awareness of critical aspects such as health economics, quality management, and ethical issues, which can pose challenges in developing diagnostic tests in low-resource settings.
This experience encouraged me to broaden my perspective beyond the laboratory, benefiting from the diverse viewpoints of fellow participants from various institutions and backgrounds. The knowledge and hands-on skills I acquired will be instrumental in the successful development and implementation of the new flavivirus diagnostic test platform I am working on, as well as in my future field research throughout my PhD journey. Additionally, I look forward to applying these insights within the Health Innovations for All work group, where they will help enhance our collaborative efforts to foster sustainable health innovations (amongst which dengue virus diagnostics) in low-resource settings. Overall, this mobility experience has matured my perspective on diagnostics development in low-resource settings and heightened my interest in the public health implications of diagnostic implementation. I believe the insights gained from this training will significantly influence my future decisions and considerations throughout my PhD project and in my future career”, Johanna highlights.
Are you also planning to attend a traineeship or course abroad before 31 July 2026 and interested in Erasmus+ student and staff mobility opportunities? Then check the information here on the criteria and application process.
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