Moving from Costa Rica to Brno, starting a PhD, joining the MUNI Mendel Doctorandus programme, and preparing for a thesis defence within three years – Enrique Abarca Ríos’s journey has been shaped by scientific curiosity, perseverance, and experiences gained far beyond the laboratory.
For Enrique, Masaryk University was not an entirely new place when he started his PhD. His first connection with the university began during his master’s studies in Costa Rica, when he had the opportunity to spend time at the Faculty of Pharmacy through an international cooperation programme. The experience left him with a strong impression of both Brno and the university, and a few months later it brought him back – this time as a doctoral researcher at the Faculty of Medicine (CEITEC). “I really enjoyed my time in Brno and had a very positive impression of both the city and the university. Later, after graduating, I found a PhD programme that aligned with my research interests, so I applied and was very happy to be selected,” he recalls.
What he appreciates most about Masaryk University is the combination of a well-organised environment and strong research support. “Many processes are digitalised, which makes administrative work much easier and more efficient. At the same time, the university offers excellent research infrastructure and resources, creating a very supportive environment for doing research.”
Exploring the challenges of cancer treatment
Enrique’s interest in medical research began during his pharmacy training, where he became fascinated by the complexity of medicines and the question of why patients can respond differently to the same treatment. “I got interested in why some patients respond well to therapy while others do not. This curiosity eventually brought me to cancer research, where science meets real clinical challenges.” His PhD project focuses on lymphoma, a type of cancer affecting white blood cells. While many patients initially respond well to treatment, some tumours eventually return and develop resistance. “My research aims to understand how this resistance develops and to identify new drug combinations that could help prevent it.”
For Enrique, cancer research represents exactly the kind of science that connects fundamental discoveries with real medical needs – turning knowledge generated in the laboratory into potential future therapies.
Developing as a scientist – and as a person
Alongside his research, Enrique joined the MUNI Mendel Doctorandus (MMD) programme, which became an important part of his doctoral journey. Completing a demanding PhD project while taking part in additional training within three years required strong organisation, persistence, and the ability to adapt. “During a PhD, there are always many things happening at the same time: experiments, deadlines, meetings, courses, conferences, and writing. The MMD programme added another layer of training, but it also helped me develop skills beyond the lab.” For Enrique, some of the most valuable parts of MMD were not directly related to research itself, but to the human side of science – communication, teamwork, leadership, and collaboration. One workshop that particularly stood out was conflict management. “I was surprised by how much attention MMD gives to the human side of science. Good science is not only about generating data, but also about navigating different opinions and collaborating effectively with others.”
Building a life away from home
Moving from Costa Rica to the Czech Republic meant adapting to a completely new environment. Alongside the challenges of doctoral research, Enrique had to find his way in a different culture, language, and everyday life. “The most challenging part has been adjusting to a new country while keeping up with the pressure and intensity of research. Moving abroad means adapting to a different culture, language, and way of working. It has not always been easy, especially being far from family and home.” At the same time, living abroad has become an experience of personal growth. “This experience has helped me become more independent, flexible, and confident. In the end, it has helped me grow both as a person and as a researcher.” Over time, Enrique has also discovered the small things that make life in the Czech Republic special. One of them is something many locals take for granted: public transport. “It may not sound very exciting but coming from a country where public transport is almost non-existent, being able to get almost anywhere by bus or train still feels like a luxury,” he laughs.
Looking beyond the PhD
As Enrique approaches the end of his doctoral journey, he is looking forward to applying his scientific knowledge in a more translational setting. “I would like to apply the knowledge and skills I have gained in a more translational setting, ideally in target validation or drug development within industry.” His goal is to contribute to research that helps bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and new therapies for patients.And his advice for future international PhD students arriving in Brno?
“Give yourself time to settle in. Don’t expect everything to be perfect from day one and make sure to enjoy life outside the lab. Some of the best memories you take home won’t come from your experiments.”
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