OxCIN Global Scholars (formerly known as WIN Global Scholars or WINGS) is a scheme which allows researchers from the Global South to be remotely associated with OxCIN. This year, OxCIN Global Scholar Kamilla Souza secured funding to also visit in-person.
Applications for this year's cohort are now open until June 30th! Please see here for more information.
Hi Kamilla! What’s your job role and where do you usually work?
My name is Kamilla Souza and I am a biologist with an M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at UFRJ and also the Scientific Director of the Brazilian Neurobiodiversity Network, a research network dedicated to collecting and analyzing the brains of aquatic mammals, such as dolphins and whales.
What’s your area of research?
I am a neuroscientist specializing in comparative neuroanatomy. My work is focused on collecting and examining the brains of aquatic mammals to elucidate their evolutionary adaptations. I investigate how the nervous system has been reshaped for life in water and compare their structural and functional traits with those of other mammals, both marine and terrestrial, including humans.
How did you hear about OxCIN Global Scholars and why did you decide to apply?
I wasn’t familiar with the program. A friend sent me a twitter post announcing the opening of applications with the message: “This was made for you—check it out!”
How has the scheme been beneficial to you and your research?
I like to say that the OxCIN Global Scholars program was a life-changing experience in my career. Through the course, I gained access to neuroimaging from various perspectives: from the theoretical aspects, such as the physics behind MRI, to the more practical content, which involves using a variety of tools to explore several types of data in many different contexts. Beyond the course, I had the opportunity to attend various lectures on different topics, which greatly enriched my knowledge on subjects like data sharing, public engagement etc. Furthermore, and of utmost relevance, was the pairing with a research group aligned with my interests right at the beginning of the course. This allowed me to experience firsthand how the course material was applied in real-world projects and to be in contact with the daily routine of a research lab at the University of Oxford.
Why is international collaboration like this important for scientific research?
As mentioned above, my affiliation with an OxCIN research group (which I'm still part of today) has enabled me to gain knowledge that wouldn't have been possible without this collaboration. In Brazil, the field of comparative neuroanatomy lacks proper research and researchers, which would have hindered my progress in terms of knowledge exchange. With my supervisor, Rogier Mars, and their group, Neuroecology Lab, we've outlined different projects, and I feel motivated to continue on this path and share this knowledge.
You’ve received funding to come over and visit in person – how has this added to your experience?
I feel privileged and lucky to have had the opportunity to visit Oxford twice. At the first time, with the program's support, I made a brief visit to the laboratory I affiliated with, meeting my supervisor and lab members, and aligning our goals for the future during a lab retreat. More recently, I was able to stay for a longer period and finally put projects into practice. The funding I received for this visit was also made possible thanks to the program (and my supervisor), who pointed out the possibility of applying. During my time as a visiting researcher at OxCIN, I learned new techniques that I had wanted to learn for years but never had the opportunity. Also, I had the chance to learn from researchers who are references in the field. It was an enriching and unique experience.
How will what you’ve learned at OxCIN help with your future research goals, and what is your hope for the future of your research?
What I've learned during the course has greatly enhanced my career in many ways. The course broadened my understanding of the diverse tools and analyses that can be applied to my data. Beyond that, interacting with researchers at OxCIN allowed me to think of new projects and establish long-term collaborations with the group I was paired with at the beginning of the course. For the future of my research, I hope to continue learning and growing, not only in terms of working on innovative projects but also in being able to bring what I've learned back to my country. I've always aspired to be a catalyst for change in my research field in Brazil, and the OxCIN initiative has made this goal more attainable than ever.