Q&A GSK Fellow Edmundo Torres-González

Edmundo Torres-González, a GSK fellow recently shared with us his experiences applying for the GSK Graduate Fellowship Program and advice for future applicants. Edmundo is also a bioinformatics and genomics graduate student.

Q: What is your research area? 

ETG: I study how mitochondrial DNA is mutated over time, a fundamental aspect of evolution, and how two genomes—nuclear and mitochondrial—collaborate to form the efficient machinery that generates energy in the cell.

Q: How did you feel when you learned that you were a GSK fellow?

ETG: Elated, it’s a great opportunity to be supported by GSK and Eberly, especially at the end-stage of my PhD. I look forward to the mentorship ahead of working with the GSK Genomic Sciences division in the summer.

Q: What advice do you have to share with anyone interested in applying for the GSK fellowship?

ETG: Highlight your analytical skills in genomics and statistics, but also focus on your communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. It’s important to know where your strengths and gaps are in these. Ask yourself how the GSK fellowship could help you improve on them.

Q: What is the most important experience that you will take with you from your time at Penn State?

ETG: As a member of both Eberly College of Science and the Huck Life Sciences Institute, my experience at Penn State has been enriching through collaboration with investigators from various disciplines. I’ve also had the opportunity to support and help build community among fellow students who work with bioinformatics—through our GenoMix club. 

I especially enjoy the social interactions in science and I have to thank my advisor, lab group, the students across graduate programs, and faculty, for forming that exciting and supportive community that we need. The fact that we’re surrounded by gorgeous Pennsylvania forests also doesn’t hurt.