Patricia Rodriguez-Tomé, one of EMBL-EBI’s first recruits in 1994, is now a group leader at the CRS4 in south Sardinia, headed by EMBL-EBI’s first Director, Paolo Zanella. Patricia flew from Sardinia to Rome to meet EMBLers past and present at the staff-alumni gathering at EMBL Monterotondo.

Why did you attend the get-together?
While at EMBL-EBI, I collaborated with Phil Avner as well as the EMMA project of the CNR Monterotondo, I therefore went to meet former colleagues as well as new EMBL Monterotondo PIs and local alumni. EMBL’s Alumni Association is a good starting point when looking for collaborations and expertise. I had good discussions that I hope will lead to common projects.

What’s special about your institute/work?
The CRS4 (Centro di Ricerca Sviluppo e Studi Superiori) is a multidisciplinary research centre, focussing on the application of technology and computational techniques to the life sciences. It has the most powerful high-performance computing centre in Italy, and a genomic sequencing centre. My group helps to collect and organise data that can be analysed, published and sent to the public databases at EMBL-EBI. We are currently working with the next-generation sequencing group to develop a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) that manages projects and tracks samples and experiments. It is being implemented in local laboratories doing metabolomics, chemistry and even archeology.

Tell us about your time at EMBL-EBI?
I was one of the first recruits at EMBL-EBI. I learnt how to work with people from all over Europe, about different customs and food like haggis! I learnt the importance of a collaborative spirit which certainly shaped my future in a service-oriented direction.

How can we enhance these meetings?
I’d like to know more about the research of other alumni. It would be interesting to add a scientific orientation to the ‘fun’ event, where we can discuss everyone’s projects, exchange ideas and look at possible collaborations.

How does the CRS4 celebrate Christmas?
We share panettone, pandoro and sparkling wine. Do come and visit us, or at least our website: www.crs4.it.