In the first semester of 2026, a group of Sorbonne Université master’s students spent a semester abroad at the Universidade de São Paulo (USP), diving into cancer research at some of C2PO’s leading laboratories.
Continuing the academic mobility partnership between Sorbonne Université, the Faculdade de Medicina da USP (FMUSP), and the Comprehensive Center for Precision Oncology (C2PO), students Blanka Kelecsenyi (Hungary), Emma Komersová (Czech Republic), Julia Young (Poland/USA), and Veneta Petkova (Bulgaria) completed their internships at institutions including the São Paulo State Cancer Institute (Icesp) and the Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB-USP), where they combined hands-on lab work with coursework alongside C2PO faculty.
Working across areas such as viral vector engineering, tumor immunology, and cancer cell signaling, the students sharpened their skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. C2PO asked the group how their time at USP shaped their training and their lives. Below, they share their experiences in the lab, in the classroom, and in the city of São Paulo itself.
Blanka Kelecsenyi – Cancer Biology Program
The semester abroad I spent at USP was a defining moment for both my academic and professional career. My mentors in the Viral Vectors Laboratory of ICESP, Prof. Bryan E. Strauss and Dr. Fernanda Antunes, gave excellent guidance, allowing me to improve my critical thinking skills and ability to design robust experiments. All members of the lab were incredibly kind, helpful and patient, creating an atmosphere where I immediately felt welcomed. During the beginning of my internship, I received training in several areas ranging from technical skills and analysis of the results, to learning how to present the acquired results efficiently. This intense training period was extremely useful, as I was able to work independently in the lab by the end, increasing my confidence in my abilities. In addition to the lab work, I participated in thought-provoking classes, where we discussed some of the most recent advances in cancer research and immunology. One class felt special in particular: our journal club with Prof. Roger Chammas. Only four other visiting students took it, creating a small group setting, which made asking questions easier and enabled us to discuss intriguing topics in-depth with an expert in the field.
Furthermore, my time at USP was integral to my personal development. This exchange allowed me to truly immerse myself in Brazilian culture. Learning about local traditions and the differences in our lifestyles, experiencing the warmth of the people around me both inside and outside the lab, had an immense impact on me. Along the way, I gained meaningful friendships with students and colleagues alike, which I hope to maintain in the future. Therefore, studying at USP not only helped me develop as a scientist, but also as a person, providing me with memories that will last a lifetime.
Emma Komersová – Immunology Program
My semester abroad was very fun and stimulating. At USP, we benefited from access to excellent professors, and the university’s excellent resources inside and outside of the lab. São Paulo is a city full of culture, nightlife, and kind people; living there as a young person was enriching and unforgettable.
Interning at the C2PO Viral Vector Laboratory under the mentorship of Dr. Bryan Strauss and Dr. Fernanda Antunes was a great foray into the world of lentiviral and adenoviral vectors. Constructing these therapeutic tools has inspired me to think more creatively about how to tackle cancer. Dr. Antunes provided close guidance and created a safe and fun environment to learn. The members were extremely kind and welcoming, and invested in my growth and wellbeing.
The lectures were particularly challenging and pushed me to think as a scientist; presenting recently-published articles allowed me to practice public speaking and scientific reasoning, while staying at the forefront of cancer and immunology.
I thank Dr. Chammas, Dr. Strauss, Dr. Antunes, and Dr. Andrade for their guidance and support.
Julia Young – Immunology Program
The six months spent at USP and in São Paulo as a whole continuously pushed me outside my comfort zone, an experience that made me grow a tremendous deal in both my academic and personal life.
I was fortunate enough to be a part of an amazing lab group under the tutelage of Prof. Ana Lepique at ICB. The warm welcome, openness, and trust placed in me despite having little wet lab experience beforehand meant that coming to the lab was a joy and made every day a learning opportunity. My colleagues in the lab shortly became my friends, and spending time with them outside the lab helped me get to know the city, language, and culture on a personal level. I thoroughly enjoyed working on the main USP campus (despite the longer commute), as I got to experience and feel like I was a part of the city. The courses led by Prof. Chammas allowed me to grow as a science communicator in both the written and spoken word. Being able to practice presenting papers to people with various scientific backgrounds and varying language abilities made me think more about how to approach scientific communication in an accessible manner. Beyond the classes we took at ICESP, I was able to attend the weekly immunowebinars hosted by USP featuring a diverse array of researchers and topics in immunology, which broadened my scope of the field.
Having to navigate a completely foreign culture and city in an unfamiliar language improved my language abilities and cultural competence, skills I will carry into my professional and personal life. Beyond that, I feel that I truly grew as a person during this time and proved to myself that I can navigate many challenges. My semester in São Paulo was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, one that I am grateful I took on.
Special thanks to Prof. Lepique, Prof. Chammas, Dr. Fabiane Colunna, Ana Luisa Butarelli, Isis Mello, and Larissa Marques for their guidance and hospitality.
Veneta Petkova – Immunology Program
My exchange in São Paulo shaped me both as a scientist and as a person. Prof. Roger Chammas and Dr. Luciana Nogueira de Sousa Andrade were amazing mentors who, through their guidance and support, helped me develop an independence that I know will be indispensable in the future. In the lab, I was not simply expected to follow instructions; I was encouraged to demonstrate my knowledge, take initiative and participate in different stages of the scientific process. This trust pushed me to become more confident in my ideas and contributions.
I was also surrounded by people who were genuinely passionate about their research and always willing to discuss ideas or help with my questions. The weekly lab meetings were something I looked forward to, as there was a strong sense of being part of a team where everyone could contribute. At first, I was hesitant to speak up, but this environment taught me that even the least experienced person can bring something valuable to a discussion, and that making mistakes is simply part of learning.
One of my favourite experiences was the Cancer class, where we analysed and presented recent breakthrough papers alongside physicians from different backgrounds. Their different perspectives often brought unexpected ideas to the discussion and showed me the value of approaching a question from multiple angles. Prof. Roger Chammas also showed me the importance of thinking outside the box and looking beyond the immediate question to understand the bigger picture.
Living in São Paulo further pushed me to become independent and open myself to unfamiliar experiences. Brazil was incredibly welcoming, and I am especially grateful for the people I met in the lab, who by the end of my stay had become friends. We went together to Festa Junina, ate at the Bandejão and attended lab parties, making São Paulo feel like more than just a place where I was studying. After my time in Brazil, the world feels a little less unfamiliar and much more open than it did before.
