Bea Calvo has just graduated in Human Biology at UPF. Now that she has finished her studies she wants to devote herself to research in the field of genomics and bioinformatics.

- What motivated you to do a bachelor’s degree in Human Biology?

My favourite subject at high school was biology and I was very interested to understand the reasons behind diseases. Then I found out about the bachelor’s degree in Human Biology and I liked the fact that it was research-oriented. I came to visit the faculty when I was in my last year at high school and my first impression was very positive. Mireia Oliver of the University Community Assistance Service (SACU) and the lecturers Meritxell Girvent and Paco Muñoz were really obliging and did their utmost for me to be able to study. The faculty is a very accessible building, it’s all flat, you can enter from the street and get to class by lift without assistance and there are laboratories adapted with low laboratory benches. There are other faculties with inaccessible classrooms, doors through which you can’t pass, lifts that can’t withstand the weight of the chair, which means you have to go up in the service lift... but here it was very easy.

"Although it is a hard degree, I think it really gives you very good training and manages to get the best out of you"

- What did you like most about the bachelor’s degree? And what least?

Although it is a hard degree, I think it really gives you very good training and manages to get the best out of you. For me, it’s the friendships and the little things, and what I least liked was the stress and the timetables, the feeling of not knowing how you’ll manage with so little time, but in the end you do.

- You have just finished your studies; what does this step mean for you?

When I finished high school, once I had enrolled, the truth is that we still didn’t know how we would manage for me to study at university. I live in Calella and the trains to the faculty were not accessible, the bus timetables didn’t suit, and my parents couldn’t take me every day. Finally, in August we found an adapted apartment near here. So, when I recall that a few years ago I didn’t know if I would even be able to go to university, for me now it’s a great satisfaction to have completed the degree.

"When I recall that a few years ago I didn’t know if I would even be able to go to university, for me now it’s a great satisfaction to have completed the degree"

- In what area would you like to continue your career?

I have not quite decided but I am interested in bioinformatics and genomics. I’m really enjoying doing my internship at the Mar Albà group at Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM) and I would like to continue doing research.

- What advice would you give to a student who is about to start Human Biology?

Mainly, to be constant. You have to dedicate a lot of hours but, if it’s what you want to study, go ahead, everything has its reward.

- How does having reduced mobility affect university life?

It’s no secret that is not very common to see people in wheelchairs, with a major physical disability, studying at university. I think a lot of people who have the same ability to study as anyone else fall by the wayside. A large number of people with motor disabilities study online and for sure they would like to be with their peers and lead a normal life. I understand that it can be difficult because each person has different needs, but universities should encourage everyone to have the same opportunities.

"I think that universities should encourage everyone to have the same opportunities"

- What do you think are the biggest difficulties of reduced mobility during university years?

I think, in general, universities are not prepared yet. I am not just referring to accessibility, but to other aid we require, such as an assistant. In my case, for some things I have depended on my friends; for them it was normal to help me. But it is not their role, no matter how much they did so of their own will, I think it is important to encourage student independence. Work needs to continue in this direction, slowly but surely, but not losing it from sight. On the other hand, everyone should be able to get access to studies and their economic level ought not to influence. One difficulty has been to find the adapted flat, which implies being a new flat, and this means that it is more expensive. In the case of the residences, you have to pay your part and that of the person who is with you, so the expense is multiplied by two. This is the problem, there are lots of people with the ability and desire to study, but often lack the resources to meet their needs.