Nelson Villalba Moreno - #BlackInNeuroWorld

Whilst we are here in Europe, let’s hop across the border from Belgium to Germany. Let’s speak with Nelson Villalba Moreno who is undertaking a PhD in Germany. Over to you Nelson!

My name is Nelson David Villalba Moreno, I was born in Buenaventura (Valle del Cauca, Colombia), a small town on the Pacific coast of Colombia with a majority Afro-descendant population.

Currently, I’m completing my doctoral training at the Institute for Neuropathology at the University Hospital of Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany.? My research is focused on an inherited Alzheimer's disease caused by a mutation in the Presenilin 1 gene.

I’m particularly interested in the neuropathological characterization of the brain, as well, as the individual molecular signature of the different cell subpopulations and how their particular imprints determine its vulnerability to the noxious events occurring in Alzheimer’s disease.

It starts with the commute to the hospital that takes me across the harbor area of Hamburg, which usually offers a great view. Once in the lab, the days usually split between desktop work, compromising manual image analysis for digital neuropathology, or the application of machine learning analysis algorithms for in-depth evaluation, or lab work, mostly utilization of molecular biology techniques to the assessment of mouse brain derived primary cell cultures.

The availability of technical and financial resources, as well as exceptional scientists and trainees make research in Hamburg an equally challenging and rewarding experience. Altogether the union of technical means and? human camaraderie contribute to a unique experience.

My favorite is a traditional christmas dish called Rotkohl mit Kl??en und Entenbrust (red cabbage with potato dumplings and duck breast). Aside from that they have the best potato soups in Germany as long as it’s without ginger.

Germany is a very organized country with remarkably reliable organizations and a high quality of living. There are two particular aspects I find appealing, first is the generalized respect for the rules and social agreements and a positive trend toward achieving personal life / work-life balance.