BMC SAS presented its research to students from Amsterdam
On April 30, 2026, the Biomedical Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (BMC SAS) welcomed 30 Dutch students from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, to whom they presented the center's diverse research. BMC SAS researchers also took them to the laboratories and the menagerie during the visit.
The students themselves organised the visit. Every year, they choose from several destinations that are not too far away, and this year, Bratislava won the student vote. BMC SAS conducted an online survey to identify interesting organisations in the capital of Slovakia.
BMC SAS Director General Silvia Pastoreková first briefly introduced them to BMC SAS's structure, mission, and research. They were then divided into groups, and the centre's researchers took them to the laboratories and showed them the specialised infrastructure - a menagerie for immunodeficient mice and specialised laboratories for working with highly dangerous pathogens. They were able to see research in oncology, metabolism, and virology up close.
The students appreciated the intensive and interesting program. "The organisation was great, we learned a lot, and everyone was very willing to show us everything. We are very grateful for that," says Sofia Almeida, a participant in the visit.
Text and photo: Ela Rybárová, BMC SAV