Junior scientist from Argentina to stay at FLI for one year

Insel Riems, 20 February 2012. Dr. Gaston Moré from La Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina,  has recently taken up his work as guest scientist in the work group of Dr. Gereon Schares at the Institute of Epidemiology of the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut in Wusterhausen. He intends to develop new procedures for the detection and differentiation of different Sarcocystis species of cattle. The research stay of Dr. Moré is made possible by a Georg Forster scholarship for highly qualified scientists granted by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

Sarcocystis infections of cattle are usually asymptomatic; however, they lead to the formation of tissue cysts in the animals’ muscles. One of the species occurring in cattle (Sarcocystis hominis) can be transmitted to humans and cause severe diarrhea. Aim of Dr. Moré’s research work is to identify sources of infection by improving the specific detection of Sarcocystis hominis and thus to contribute to the development of more effective infection prevention measures.

Dr. Moré is 33 years old, married and has two children (4 and 8 years old). He is a lecturer at the faculty of veterinary medicine of the University of La Plata and does research on parasites. His thesis (2005-2008) dealt with the antibody response of cattle against the protozoan parasites Sarcocystis sp. and Neospora caninum.

Dr. Moré who at the beginning of his stay attended an 8-week German course in Berlin and started working at the FLI in the beginning of December particularly values the excellent working conditions provided by the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut. His family, who arrived in Germany in December leaving behind the Argentine summer, first had to adapt to the German climate. The children experienced snow for the first time and are delighted with the possibilities it offers.

Information on the scholarship:
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation grants up to 60 Georg Forster scholarships annually for postdoctoral fellows and experienced scientists from developing and threshold countries. The scholarship for postdoctoral fellows amounts to 2,250 Euros per month, it can be granted for a duration of 6 to 24 months. In addition, a preparatory two-month language course in the host country is part of the scholarship. The scholarship gives highly qualified scientists from developing or threshold countries the possibility to carry out a long-term research project which they select themselves in cooperation with a scientific host at a research institution in Germany. Knowledge and methods arising from the research work are intended to be used for further development in the home country of the scholarship holder. For further information please refer to the website of the Humboldt Foundation (www.humboldt-foundation.de).

Contact:

Dipl.-Biol. Elke Reinking (Press Officer)
Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems
Telephone: +49 38351 7-1244, Fax: +49 38351 7-1226
E-Mail: Elke.Reinking@we dont want spamfli.bund.de