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Institution
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universitaet, Bonn
Host
Institution(s)
Research: Sergievsky Center College of Physicians and Surgeons Columbia
University, New York
Mentor: W. Allen Hauser, MD Professor of Neurology and Public Health,
Dale Hesdorffer, PhD
The epidemiology of brain abnormalities in febrile seizures. I participated in an extensive clinical study that examines the associations between MRI detectable brain abnormalities among children with a febrile seizure and characteristics of the febrile seizure as well as the children's behavioral and cognitive development. Since I arrived before the first patients were recruited, I was involved in the preparatory work for the study (all kinds of questionnaires, setting up databases and training in the administration of several neuropsychological tests). Now I hope that everything is approved very soon so that I can get an idea of how the study will actually work for the next four or five years.
I enjoyed New York a lot - it's a great place to be, but bring tons of money!
Unfortunately, my bosses did not have enough time to discuss the projects or just for regular meetings that might have been very helpful. So I often had to wait for several days or weeks until I could eventually present some data. The problem is that you never know what the actual situation will be like until you are in your department and spent some weeks there. So good luck to everybody!
Too funny to tell.
I would recommend, if possible, to go to a city/institution you like even if your research project does not work out the way you expected. You cannot always estimate the actual situation - and you do not want to be too disappointed.