Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Fellow, Darina from Slovakia, Shares Her Journey of Pursuing a PhD in Plant Pathology at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy

My name is Darina, and I am a PhD student within the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network BIOTOXDoc. Originally from Slovakia, I am currently based in Italy at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Department of Sustainable Crop Production, where I am specializing in Plant Pathology. My background is in molecular plant biology, and I am now working on food safety challenges linked to climate change. I chose this path since mycotoxin contamination in food and feed is a major threat to farmers, consumers, and public health. I want my work to provide practical solutions that protect food systems and support sustainable agriculture in Europe and worldwide.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Fellowship Details

• • Project name: BIOTOXDoc
  • Project number: 101119901
  • Type of action: HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks
  • Institution: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC), Piacenza, Italy
  • Duration: 3 years
  • Amount: The funding supports my doctoral work, including salary and research/training activities within an international research network.

Educational Background

• BSc degree in Biology, Comenius University, Slovakia. GPA: 68 (On a scale of 1.0-4.0, where 1 is the best and 4 is the worst, calculated as a weighted mean of credits)
• MSc degree in Experimental Plant Biology, Masaryk University, Czech Republic. GPA: 57 (On a scale of 1.0-4.0, where 1 is the best and 4 is the worst, calculated as a weighted mean of credits)
• These studies prepared me well for the PhD because they helped build my foundation in biology, environmental science, plant health, molecular biology, data analysis, and statistics. With a focus on practical aspects, I was able to develop skills in critical thinking, independent lab work, and time management. They also shaped my interest in applying science to real problems in agriculture and public health.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore?

I prepared a very honest and personalized CV and motivation letter focused on my research and motivations. I practiced the interview process with friends and always learned as much about the institution to which I was applying as possible.

How Did You Find Information About Scholarships and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore?

I searched specific universities within my focus area for open positions. I was scanning the portals like Findaphd and euraxess for new listings, and also used LinkedIn to find advertisements.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

N/A. My English proficiency was evaluated directly at the interview.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Fellowship?

I focused on preparing a specific application, highlighting my relevant experience and skills, and connecting it to the reasons why I would be a good fit for the position. I did a literature search on the topic and prepared myself for both specific and more generic interview questions.

How is (was) Your Experience at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore? 

My experience has been very positive from the beginning. The environment is stimulating, welcoming, and professional. The research question feels well fitted, and the possibilities for international collaboration and networking are almost endless. Compared to a “normal” PhD position, thanks to this scholarship I have much mor eposibilities to specialise in a cross-disciplinary field, present my research at conferences, and choose the best research tools.

How Do You Rate Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Academically and Why?

I would rate it highly because it maintains strong academic standards in a theoretical sense but focuses on applied research. It collaborates with industry and exposes students and researchers to interdisciplinary collaboration.

How Does Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Support International Students? 

There is a dedicated administrative structure for international students with all kinds of help provided. As an international student, I felt supported from the beginning.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Italian?

The whole doctoral school is organized exclusively in English, since it is the language for research.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically, Not Knowing Italian?

For BSc and MSc courses, they offer both options (Native – Italian and English), so I would say there would not be any problems not knowing the language academically. Although I always feel like whenever we have the opportunity to study a new language, we should take it (and the Italian language is very intuitive and easy to learn).

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think the strongest points were the number of elective specialized courses I took and extracurricular activities in the laboratory. Then, the inclusion of the work experience to prove my practical skills, and I tried to communicate my knowledge as clearly as possible, without exaggeration. Also, my motivation is to connect the research to practical applications. And finally, I included some personal characteristics, not strictly connected to the research field, but that might help. For example, the experience and interest in teaching, communication skills with explicit examples, and showing curiosity, also with my hobbies. You never know when these might come in handy.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

In the beginning, I was applying with one general CV and one general Motivation letter. This will never take you far. The evaluators have a lot of experience, and they see who puts the effort in. So, if I were going through it again, I would personalise and prepare the documents specifically for that one exact application. Also, I would start even earlier, before finishing the Master's, especially for collecting documents and refining the motivation letter. Some positions hold the selection process several months before starting, and if you know you are passionate about doing a PhD, it's never too early to start preparing.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Show that you understand the project and why your background matches it. Make your motivation letter specific: “what problem,” “why it matters,” “what you can contribute.” Read a few papers from the host group and reference that alignment naturally (without overdoing it, because they will know). Practice explaining yourself in a few minutes or prepare a few slides to show what you did during your previous work/study that might be relevant. Apply even if you don’t feel like a perfect candidate. Strong motivation and willingness to learn new techniques/disciplines/skills are often valued more.