Future is: Sara Derighetti

About the job

Our series "Future is…" is all about the future.

"Future is" is the platform for our young talents who complete their vocational training at Qualitas AG, expand their practical know-how with an internship during or after their studies, write their bachelor’s or master’s thesis with us, or take their first steps into professional life.

Can you tell us more about your studies at ETH Zurich? What excites you the most?

I have an international background. I grew up in China, completed my bachelor’s degree in Canada, and am currently studying in Switzerland. I appreciate the opportunity to experience different lifestyles and to study at ETH Zurich. This university is renowned worldwide and offers many teaching opportunities, especially in the field of animal sciences with a focus on physiology and genetics. The most exciting aspect of my studies is the exchange with people from different cultures, working together and making new friends.

How did you come up with the idea to do an internship at Qualitas AG?

Even during my bachelor’s studies, I was fascinated by the genetic part of biology, and I already knew at the beginning of my master’s studies that I wanted to deepen this area further. ETH Zurich offers a range of courses in animal genomics. One of these courses is taught by Peter von Rohr. That’s how I got to know Qualitas. During a summer project with the animal genomics group at ETH Zurich, I deepened my knowledge in bioinformatics, and thanks to my internship at Qualitas, I was able to gain practical experience. Peter is an extremely friendly and committed lecturer who has made it his mission to inspire young people for this field. I am very glad to have met him and to have the opportunity to work as an intern at Qualitas under his guidance.

What did you work on at Qualitas?

I was involved with the topic of two-step genomic selection of the Angus breed. This project allows the estimation of genomic breeding values for the Swiss Angus population, which was not possible until now. The pipeline was originally developed for the Limousin breed, and my task was to make adjustments to adapt it to the Angus data. I applied various selection criteria for reference populations to improve the reliability of the selection specifically for the structure of the Swiss Angus population. This project requires a variety of important skills, including programming, data analysis, literature research, scientific writing, and project management.

How did you benefit from your internship at Qualitas?

This internship was an educational and successful experience where I was able to acquire valuable skills. One focus was on conducting basic data analyses using bioinformatics tools, which significantly expanded my knowledge in the field of animal genetics. Equally important was the experience in project management that I gained. Under Peter’s guidance, I had the opportunity to work independently but also received full support when I encountered obstacles. This taught me to solve problems independently and strengthened my perseverance even in difficult moments. I am convinced that these experiences will have a positive impact on my long-term professional future.

Furthermore, during my internship, I was able to strengthen my confidence in dealing with people and form friendships with my team colleagues.

What are your hobbies?

In good weather, I like to be outdoors. For example, I love swimming in the Limmat or occasionally going for a hike to explore the beauty of Switzerland. I also learned to ski in Vancouver and now look forward to improving my skiing skills. Otherwise, I enjoy watching films or TV series, reading a book, or playing video games with my friends. Additionally, I love singing karaoke and painting.