During Postdoc Appreciation Week, we are once again shining a spotlight on the postdoctoral researchers at Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences. Postdocs are a vital part of our institute: they contribute to groundbreaking research, mentor young scientists, and bring new perspectives. In this series of short articles, we introduce some of our postdocs to you. We asked them about their research, their motivations, and their experiences as postdocs. Get to know the people behind the science and be inspired by their stories! Today in the spotlight: Fern Bosada-Musselwhite, postdoctoral researcher at Experimental Cardiology.

Fern Bosada-Musselwhite
Fern Bosada-Musselwhite


What is the most important or interesting topic you are currently working on, and why does it appeal to you?

I am interested in understanding how genetic variation changes the identity and behavior of cardiac cells, and how this ultimately contributes to cardiovascular disease. I am particularly intrigued by the fact that many disease-associated variants are not in genes themselves, but in regulatory DNA that controls when and where genes are expressed. 

What I find most exciting is connecting the dots from genetic variation to its consequences for disease. How does a variant alter gene expression, affect one cell type but not another, and ultimately change cardiac function? Tracing these connections helps explain how disease occurs at the cellular level. 

What impact do you hope your research will have on the field of cardiovascular science or on society?

I hope my research can help us understand not just which genetic variants are associated with cardiovascular disease, but what those variants actually do. There is still a huge gap between finding a disease-associated region in the genome and understanding the biological mechanism behind it, particularly for noncoding variants. 

In the longer term, I hope this can reveal biological pathways that could be targeted therapeutically. But I also think that understanding why and how a particular genetic change increases disease risk is valuable. The better we understand these mechanisms, the better we can explain why cardiovascular disease develops differently between individuals and, ultimately, how we might intervene. 

What do you enjoy most or find most challenging about working as a postdoc, and do you have any tips for other early-career researchers?

What I enjoy most about being a postdoc is developing my own ideas and gradually becoming more independent as a scientist and leader. I also really value working with talented people and learning from their different perspectives. The most challenging part is dealing with rejection, whether from a paper, grant, or another opportunity, and managing the many competing demands of academic life. My advice is to build a strong community of peers who understand these challenges. I would also encourage being open to learning from people outside your immediate field. Some of the most valuable ideas and perspectives may come from unexpected places! 

Postdoc appreciation week
This week (21–25 September), the Netherlands is hosting the second edition of Postdoc Appreciation Week NL (PAW_NL). 

Events are taking place across the country. This is your opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate the contributions of postdoctoral researchers at both local and national level. 

The program of events at Amsterdam UMC can be found on the Postdoc Network Amsterdam UMC website. 

Postdoc Appreciation Week 2026