Student Profile

Name: Efrain Ceh Pavia

From: Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

Degree course: PhD Biochemistry

Supervisor: Dr Hui Lu

PhD project title: Disulfide relay system inside the mitochondrial intermembrane space

What did you do before undertaking your PhD?

I earned my Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering from UADY, in Mexico and also earned a Master I in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from ENSCCF, in France. Afterwards I did a three-month internship at the Instituto de Fisiologia Celular, UNAM where I learned some basic mitochondria-related techniques.

Why did you decide to undertake a postgraduate course?

I like theory and challenges, although don’t particularly fancy the lab work. My first objective is to become a Principal investigator and later on I would really like to be a Professor. In order to do so one must go through different steps and the most important one is postgraduate studies. It is here where you learn critical thinking and to rationally evaluate your results. Plus, to be honest, I really like having my own working hours.

Why did you choose your degree/project/supervisor?

My supervisor is Dr. Hui Lu. She has an impressive background having earned her Masters degree (with honours) in Chemistry from China and her PhD from Oxford. She is also a Royal Society University Research Fellow. I wanted someone with a similar background in chemistry with whom I could relate. I went through her publications and realized that she used several biochemical and biophysical techniques that I would be interested in learning. Her papers were well written and to-the-point. I was more interested in the techniques than in the subject, but now I do enjoy a lot my research.

Summary of your PhD project

The import pathway of small, cysteine-rich mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS) proteins was finally discovered about five years ago. Two proteins, Mia40 and Erv1, form the core of this disulfide relay system in the IMS. The project is focused on the sulfhydryl oxidase Erv1. We are addressing two different aspects of the protein to better understand is function in relation to the pathway: 1) we are studying the specificity of Erv1 towards dioxygen or cytochrome c to identify its preferred substrate, 2) the medically relevant Erv1 R182H mutation is being characterized to shed light on the molecular basis of autosomal recessive myopathy.

Why did you choose Manchester?

If I remember correctly the University was placed 25-26th in the World University Ranking in 2009 and, more importantly, the Faculty of Life Sciences was placed among the top 3 in the Research Assessment Exercise along with Oxford and Cambridge. Also, they had a high percentage of publications with the highest grade (4) in terms of originality and relevance.

On the other hand, CONACyT and the University of Manchester have a long-standing relationship that makes it easier for Mexicans to get the scholarship. Last but no least, Manchester answers your application in one month at most, reducing the stressful weeks of uncertainty.

What do you think of your PhD so far?

I really like it. It is hard and you don’t always get the results you are looking for, but that’s something I was expecting beforehand. The Literature Review and the first year Continuation Report are tiresome but they DO help a lot to visualize what you’re doing and where you’re going. I enjoy the reading and the discussions with my supervisor, I dislike not getting reproducible results. My supervisor makes me work hard so, overall, the PhD is great. And if you want lab work, I particularly don’t like it, but you will have a lot during your PhD here. I know a lot of people really enjoy working in the lab.

What are facilities and resources like in the Faculty?

Having worked in countries where you have to manage with what you have, I would say they are fantastic. In my personal situation, my lab is well equipped and somebody always has the equipment in case you don’t. The communal facilities cover a wide range of techniques and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. So far I have not required something that the University doesn’t have.

What does the University offer international students?

I know there are a lot of programs for students within the University. There are plenty of student societies and I do know there is an International society. The University does offer a nice environment for international students. I feel most people are comprehensive towards non-native English speakers and are always willing to help.

How do you think studying here will help your future prospects?

As I said, the University of Manchester is among the best in the world. That is something taken into account when applying for a job or a post-doctoral position. You also can get really good training and preparation if you choose to; there are plenty of people willing to help and advice on your project if you ask. I will definitely take a post-doctoral position right after I finish. Where? I still don’t know. Let’s see how the weather treats me here in Manchester.

What do you like about the city of Manchester?

The nightlife, the cost and the people. There’s a wide selection of pubs and clubs for whatever your tastes are like. It’s a vibrant city. If you want to, you can go out everyday and there’s always people wherever you’re going. The cost is also much cheaper than London and the life is not as expensive as we generally think coming from Mexico (though we can’t say it’s cheap either!). Manchester is a cosmopolitan city, you will find people from all over the world and in general everybody is really nice. You make a lot of friends.

Anything else you would like to add?

If you come to Manchester, be aware of the weather and don’t complain afterwards!