Student story - Mariam GRIGORYAN (Inria/LJAD), DocWalker 2025 laureate
Interview
Meet Mariam Grigoryan, a 2nd year PhD candidate from Inria/LJAD of Université Côte d'Azur! She spent 2 months last spring at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA, thanks to the DocWalker program.
2025, September 30
What is your research field?
I am a second-year PhD student, funded by the 3IA Institute, working within the MAASAI team at the Inria Centre of Université Côte d’Azur and the LJAD mathematics laboratory.
My research focuses on statistical models applied to biological data from in vitro experiments. The goal is to determine the toxicity thresholds of tested chemical compounds.
How did your international mobility project begin?
As part of my PhD, I am in regular contact with researchers and biologists at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, where these biological tests are carried out. We hold monthly meetings to discuss my work and gather their feedback.
When I heard about the DocWalker program, I immediately thought it would be an excellent opportunity to work with them on-site for a few months.
How did you prepare for your departure?
I started planning several months in advance, especially for the visa process. You need to allow at least two months between the sponsorship request by your host institute and the appointment at the U.S. embassy in France.
In my case, I went to the embassy for an interview, where I submitted my passport and the required form. About a week later, I received my passport back with the visa, sent from a distribution center. At the same time, I had to find accommodation, and together with Ms. Currid we booked my plane ticket.
What was your daily life like there?
I was based at the Broad Institute, within the Imaging Platform team, and more specifically in the laboratory of Anne Carpenter and Shantanu Singh.
My days were filled with research work, team seminars, but also many exchanges and enjoyable moments with colleagues. I also joined student groups at MIT and Harvard, which gave me a very enriching student experience in Boston.
On weekends, I had the chance to visit the city and explore other places in Massachusetts.
What do you take away from this doctoral stay abroad?
This experience broadened my perspective on research and strengthened an international collaboration that is still ongoing. I also initiated a new project with postdoctoral researcher Jessica Ewald from the Broad Institute, with whom we are currently preparing a first manuscript to be submitted for publication.
I discovered new ways of working, different from those in France, and acquired many skills useful for my PhD.
I am very grateful to Anne, Shantanu, Jessica, and the entire Imaging Platform team for their warm welcome and support, as well as to my thesis supervisors for their guidance throughout this mobility. I would also like to thank the RISE Academy for accepting my application and offering me this wonderful opportunity, and Ms. Currid for her valuable help.
Do you have any advice for future mobility candidates?
Prepare your administrative procedures carefully (especially the visa, if you need one) well in advance. Make the most of the experience while you are there, both scientifically and personally. Don’t hesitate to meet other researchers and students—it greatly enriches the experience.
