NRPDTP student, Gabriel Astorga returns from Kenya

Gabriel Astorga, PhD student on a BBSRC Doctoral Training Programme at the Quadram Institute recently taught and managed workshops to master’s and undergraduate students covering good research practice skills, molecular biology and R training at Pwani University in Kenya.

Gabriel enjoyed his experience of academia and a new culture and admitted he “absolutely loved teaching” and expanding his professional academic network. He experienced the importance and challenges of engaging students in course content and his self-confidence grew as he designed more creative ways to deliver his lesson plans, presentations and workshops not just at Pwani but across Kenya too.

Besides teaching, some of his key achievements were creating and organising a 9-week soft-skills workshop, helping to organise part of the Horticulture Association of Kenya’s national conference and a student symposium at Pwani University.

Weather, electricity and venue change challenges were all faced by Gabriel. He admitted by being flexible and thinking calmly and quickly, he overcame these obstacles and said, “challenges you face along the way are great opportunities to learn.”

Gabriel is now highly interested to pursuing a career as a university lecturer or professor upon completion of his PhD.