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PODCAST

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Alumni Chats Series

EMBL Alumni Relations

A series of in-depth conversations with members of European Molecular Biology Lab"s Alumni Community. Alumni recall the impact of EMBL on their careers and their memories of time spent there as well as the inside stories behind some of the major research breakthroughs.Alumni Chat contributors are members of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) community. The opinions expressed are their own and are not necessarily representative of the views of EMBL or any other party. The mere

science life sciences

All Episodes

36:05

Sara Fahs - EMBL's interdisciplinary ethos and...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2026/05/01

Sara Fahs (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow 2014-2018) chats with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow 1999-2004). Sara speaks about the excitement about the scale of EMBL upon arriving in the mid 2010s. She also talks about retaining the inter-disciplinary ethos she encountered at EMBL and adapting to a career in industry after leaving academia.This conversation was recorded in July 2025.Adobe Podcast was used to improve the quality and clarity of the audio in this podcast.Alumni Chat contributors are

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23:26

Sara Courtneidge - Memories of Lennart Philipson and...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2026/04/24

Sara Courtneidge (EMBL Group Leader, 1985-1994) speaks with Angus Lamond (EMBL Group Leader, 1987-1995) about her memories of former EMBL Director General Lennart Philipson, her research into the src structure and the importance of funding for basic research.This interview was conducted in 2022.Alumni Chat contributors are members of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) community. The opinions expressed are their own and are not necessarily representative of the views of EMBL or any

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59:52

David Owen - Bridging Basic Research and...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2026/04/16

David Owen (EMBLEM Vice Chair, 2000-2021) chats with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow 1999-2004). David discusses his career phases from a PhD in pharmacology to eventually joining the pharmaceutical industry. He emphasises the challenges and rewards of transitioning from academia to industry and the impact of technology transfer on basic research. He also touches on his role in establishing EMBLEM.This conversation was recorded in July 2025.Alumni Chat contributors are members of the

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21:42

Giorgia Guglielmi - Using storytelling to combat...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2026/04/10

Giorgia Guglielmi (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow, 2011-2016) speaks with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral fellow, 1999-2004) about her research on cell behaviour, her career move to science writing, the challenge of fake news in science communication and her pride at winning the John Kendrew Award. This interview was conducted in July 2022. Alumni Chat contributors are members of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) community. The opinions expressed are their own and are not necessarily

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45:24

George Simos - Asking fundamental questions and the...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2026/03/27

George Simos (EMBL Postdoctoral Fellow 1990-95) chats with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow 1999-2004). George reflects on his first impressions upon joining EMBL in the early 90s, his return to Greece and efforts to bring back some of the culture and approach to research that he experienced in Heidelberg. He also explains his work on hypoxia and the thrill he gets when discovering something new in his research. This conversation was recorded in July 2025. Alumni Chat contributors are members

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22:48

Thomas Graf - The future of personalised cancer...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2026/03/20

Thomas Graf (EMBL Head of Unit, 1983-1998) speaks with Angus Lamond (EMBL Group Leader, 1987-1995) about the potential of personalised cancer treatment, the role of basic research in the Covid-19 response and advice for young scientists. This interview was recorded in July 2022 Alumni Chat contributors are members of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) community. The opinions expressed are their own and are not necessarily representative of the views of EMBL or any other party. The mere

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38:08

Erin Tranfield - Lunar Dust, the electron microscopy...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2026/03/13

In this interview, electron microscopy expert Erin Tranfield (EMBL Postdoc, 2009-2013) discusses her unconventional career path with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoc 1999-2004) which led from researching air pollution's impact on the heart to studying lunar dust toxicology at NASA. She explains that electron microscopy is a powerful tool because it uses electrons instead of photons to achieve a higher resolution, allowing scientists to distinguish structures that are extremely close together. Beyond

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20:43

Ilaria Piazza - Experiences of a new PI and the value...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2026/03/06

Ilaria Piazza (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow, 2009-2014) speaks with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral fellow, 1999-2004) about her career progression to becoming a group leader, the value of working in different countries for scientific curiosity and winning the John Kendrew Award. This interview was conducted in July 2022.Alumni Chat contributors are members of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) community. The opinions expressed are their own and are not necessarily representative of the

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25:02

Denis Duboule - Hox genes, finding joy in the process...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2026/02/27

Denis Duboule (EMBL Group Leader 1988-1993) chats with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow 1999-2004). Denis reflects on his arrival as a group leader at EMBL in the 1980s, and on how EMBL’s freedom and international spirit helped shape his identity as a European scientist. He also shares memories of working for Director General Fotis Kafatos and his pride in giving the inaugural Kafatos Lecture. This conversation was recorded in September 2025. Alumni Chat contributors are members of the

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26:15

Maria Tosches - Evo-Devo and the cerebral cortex of...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2026/02/20

Maria Tosches (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow, 2007-2014) speaks with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral fellow, 1999-2004) about her first experiences of 'Evo-Devo' at EMBL, the challenges of working on non-established models and studying the cerebral cortex of reptiles. This interview was recorded in July 2022. Maria was the recipient of the 2022 John Kendrew Award. You can watch her award presentation here - • Maria Tosches - 2022 John Kendrew Award Re... Alumni Chat contributors are members of the

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46:30

Claire O'Donovan - Swiss-Prot and the impact of AI on...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2026/02/13

Claire O'Donovan (Team Leader Protein Function & Head of Metabolomics, EMBL-EBI, 1994-2024), a pioneer in computational biology, discusses her career at EMBL-EBI with Angus Lamond (EMBL Group Leader, 1987-1995). She explains the evolution of Swiss Prot, a protein database, and its global impact. Claire highlighted the importance of open access data and collaborations and stressed the need for continued investment in bioinformatics to support AI advancements. This conversation was recorded in

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23:58

Leo Burger - 40 years of building innovative and high...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2026/02/06

Leo Burger (Head of Mechanical Workshop, EMBL Heidelberg, 1979-2023) speaks with Thomas Vaccari (Predoctoral fellow, EMBL Heidelberg, 1999-2004) and Angus Lamond (Group Leader, EMBL Heidelberg, 1987-1995). Leo reflects on over 40 years of building innovative and high quality equipment in the Mechanical Workshop at EMBL. This interview was conducted in March 2024. Alumni Chat contributors are members of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) community. The opinions expressed are their own

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48:41

Sigrid Reinsch - From cell biology to outer space

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2026/01/30

Sigrid Reinsch (Postdoctoral Fellow, EMBL Heidelberg, 1992-1998) discusses her career journey from EMBL to NASA with Angus Lamond (EMBL Group Leader, 1987-1995). She details the challenges of transitioning from EMBL and explains NASA's focus on human space exploration and understanding life in extreme environments. She also discusses NASA's education programs and the need for continued funding. This conversation was recorded in July 2025. Alumni Chat contributors are members of the European

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27:58

Wieland Huttner - Establishing EMBL's PhD programme...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2026/01/16

Wieland Huttner (Group Leader, EMBL Heidelberg, 1985-1990) speaks with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow, 1999-2004) about the establishment of EMBL's PhD programme and his co-founding of the Max Planck Institute in Dresden with other EMBL alumni. This interview was conducted in July 2024. Alumni Chat contributors are members of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) community. The opinions expressed are their own and are not necessarily representative of the views of EMBL or any

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39:20

Eric Wieschaus - Groundbreaking research in...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2026/01/09

Eric Wieschaus (EMBL Group Leader 1978-81) chats with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow 1999-2004). Eric looks back on his groundbreaking work on Drosophila genetics with Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard at EMBL—research that led to the 1995 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He also reflects on staying grounded amid recognition, his commitment to teaching, and what it means to “do science that works.” This conversation was recorded in September 2025.Alumni Chat contributors are members of the

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40:15

Jacqueline Dreyer-Lamm - Lab Builds to Sustaining...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2025/12/12

Jacqueline Dreyer-Lamm (Head of External Scientific Courses, 2009-2018) chats with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow 1999-2004). Jacqueline discussed her role at EMBL, focusing on building and equipping labs, and developing new courses, as well as her efforts to support scientific research in underdeveloped countries through equipment transfers. Post-EMBL, she transitioned to a startup role, managing operations and grants for a drug development company.This conversation was recorded in July

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30:17

Phil Avner - Mentors in Paris, Diabetes research and...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2025/11/28

Philip Avner (Head of EMBL Rome, 2012-2020) sets out his career trajectory in conversation with Angus Lamond (EMBL Group Leader, 1987-1995). From studying agricultural botany at the University of Newcastle to becoming head of EMBL Rome. He highlights his transition from biochemistry to genetics, influenced by mentors like Piotr Slonimsky and Francois Jacob. After a successful career in Paris, he joined EMBL Rome to foster better integration between EMBL and the Italian scientific community.This

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47:22

Edith Heard - Basic Research, AI, Planetary Biology...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2025/11/14

Edith Heard (EMBL Director General 2019-2025) discusses her legacy at EMBL with Angus Lamond (EMBL Group Leader, 1987-1995). Edith emphasises the crucial role of unexpected results in advancing scientific discovery and innovation, encouraging researchers to embrace surprising findings, as they often spark new insights and breakthroughs. Edith also provides the context to EMBL embracing the research of planetary biology and EMBL's unique position to lead Europe’s exploration in collaborative science

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86:54

Anne Ephrussi: Disproving hypotheses, taking risks...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2025/10/31

Anne Ephrussi (EMBL Group Leader, Senior Scientist and Director for the EMBL International Centre for Advanced Training 1992-2023) chats with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow 1999-2004). Anne explains the background to starting her lab at EMBL in the early 90s and the questions she sought to investigate. She encourages young researchers to take risks and also reflects on the future of Oskar and RNA research. This conversation was recorded in September 2025.Alumni Chat contributors are members

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61:40

Rolf Apweiler - Big Data growth, from floppy disks to...

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)... ·

2025/10/16

Rolf Apweiler (EMBL-EBI Director 1987-2025) speaks with Angus Lamond (EMBL Group Leader 1987-1995) about his start at EMBL as a student helper all the way to jointly leading the EBI. The huge growth of data in life sciences he witnessed and supported along the way and the importance of international collaboration, standardization, and cybersecurity. He reflects on the impact of AI on data curation and annotation, and discuss the Open Targets project, a public-private partnership to improve drug

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41 results

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