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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

25:14

39. Gianni Cesareni - Postdoctoral training with...

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

2026/09/28

Gianni Cesareni (Professor Emeritus, University of Rome Tor Vergata and fromer Group Leader, EMBL Heidelberg, 1979-88) chats with Thomas Vaccari (Current Professor, University of Milan and former Predoctoral Fellow, EMBL Heidelberg, 1999-2004). Gianni reflects on his unconventional journey from physics to molecular biology, his formative postdoctoral years alongside Nobel laureates in Cambridge, and how interdisciplinary training shaped his scientific career. He also discusses how EMBL's

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39:23

38. Toby Gibson - The methodology of DNA sequencing...

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

2026/09/24

Toby Gibson (EMBL Group Leader, 1986-2023) speaks with Angus Lamond (EMBL Group Leader, 1987-1995) about the methodology of DNA sequencing, the origins of bioinformatics, the development of Clustal and the impact of AlphaFold. This interview was recorded in July 2023. 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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39:07

37. Daniela Marazziti - Painstaking early DNA...

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

2026/09/14

Daniela Marazziti (Staff Scientist, Italian National Research Council and formerly a Postdoctoral Fellow, EMBL Heidelberg, 1984-88) chats with Thomas Vaccari (Current Professor, University of Milan and former Predoctoral Fellow, EMBL Heidelberg, 1999-2004). Daniela recalls pioneering molecular biology during her postdoc at EMBL, highlighting collaborative science, painstaking DNA sequencing, C9 gene cloning, and demanding laboratory techniques. This conversation was recorded in February 2026.

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24:10

36. Pavel Tomancak - The golden days of development...

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

2026/09/10

Pavel Tomancak (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow, 1995-1999) speaks with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral fellow, 1999-2004) about being the first Eastern European PhD student at EMBL, the 'golden days' of developmental biology and his passion about supporting life sciences in his home country. 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

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50:34

35. Ilaria Ferlenghi - Early cryo-EM scepticism and...

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

2026/08/31

Ilaria Ferlenghi (Current Associate Director of Research & Senior Scientific Leader, GSK and former Predoctoral Fellow, EMBL Heidelberg, 1994-1999) chats with Thomas Vaccari (Current Professor, University of Milan and former Predoctoral Fellow, EMBL Heidelberg, 1999-2004). Ilaria discusses the scientific challenges of her PhD, particularly the skepticism towards cryo electron microscopy and the need to demonstrate its effectiveness. She also discusses the future of vaccine development,

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28:29

34. Veli Vural Uslu - Plant development regulation,...

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

2026/07/30

Veli Vural Uslu (EMBL Postdoctoral Fellow, 2009-2015) speaks with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral fellow, 1999-2004) about Plant developmental regulation, environmental sensing, and new biotechnology techniques. He also explains his research into using RNA delivery for plant defense and agriculture, with a focus on a new method for delivering RNAs to plant cells.This interview was conducted in July 2023. Alumni Chat contributors are members of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)

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46:20

33. Angus Lamond & Thomas Vaccari - Differing EMBL...

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

2026/07/23

Angus Lamond (EMBL Group Leader, 1987-1995) and Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral fellow, 1999-2004) discuss their experiences at EMBL, emphasising the institution's role in fostering a supportive community and advancing scientific knowledge. Thomas reflects on the value of the PhD program in building a network of scientists and the need for inclusive environments. While Angus recalls the pressure he felt joining EMBL as a junior group leader.This conversation was recorded in July 2025.Alumni Chat

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15:23

32) Graham Tebb - Following your instincts in research

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

2026/07/16

Graham Tebb (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow, 1985-1988) speaks with Angus Lamond (EMBL Group Leader, 1987-1995) about the challenging yet collaborative environment in which he pursed his PhD in the 1980s. Graham also offers advice to young scientists about their career progression and the need for long-term thinking and trust in scientific research, despite short-term political pressures. This interview was recorded in July 2023. Alumni Chat contributors are members of the European Molecular Biology

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42:04

31. Julius Brennecke - The bantam mystery and the...

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

2026/07/09

Julius Brennecke (Current Senior Scientist, IMBA, Vienna. and former Predoctoral Fellow, EMBL Heidelberg, 2006-2001) chats with Thomas Vaccari (Current Professor, University of Milan and former Predoctoral Fellow, EMBL Heidelberg, 2004-1999). Julius explains his fascination for how molecular pathways govern complex biological patterns in fruit flies. Before describing the risky decision to investigate a mysterious genetic locus known as Bantam. This conversation was recorded in January 2026.Alumni

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34:31

30. Janet Thornton - A Life in Computational Biology

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

2026/07/02

Former EMBL-EBI Director 1994-2023, Dame Janet Thornton reflects on her distinguished career in bioinformatics, the wonder of protein research and the vital role of accessible data services for life science research. She also speaks about AI's impact on protein structure prediction and the potential for AlphaFold to revolutionise the field.This interview was conducted by former EMBL Group Leader, Angus Lamond.Alumni Chat contributors are members of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)

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33:12

29. Alex Stark - The Evolution of Computational...

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

2026/06/25

Alex Stark (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow 2001-2005) chats with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow 1999-2004). Alex describes the evolution of computational biology and its impact on understanding protein structures and gene regulation. He recounts early efforts to identify functional similarities between unrelated proteins before the advent of AlphaFold and serving as a member of one of the teams of judges for the CASP competition. This conversation was recorded in January 2026. Alumni Chat

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36:00

28) Des Higgins - Early days of bioinformatics,...

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

2026/06/18

Des Higgins (EMBL-EBI Group Leader, 1990-1996) speaks with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral fellow, 1999-2004) about the "wild west" early days of bioinformatics, the establishment of EMBL-EBI and the collaboration which led to the Clustal programme. Des also reflects on the impact on his career of EBI co-founder Michael Ashburner This interview was conducted in July 2023. Alumni Chat contributors are members of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) community. The opinions expressed are

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45:00

27) Martin Hetzer - The Frontiers of Ageing and...

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

2026/06/11

In this interview, Martin Hetzer (Former Staff Scientist, EMBL Heidelberg, 1998-2003, currently President, ISTA, Vienna) chats with Angus Lamond (Former Group Leader, EMBL Heidelberg, 1995-1987, currently Professor, University of Dundee) about his professional journey from his early training in Vienna and the US to his current leadership role at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria. Martin touches on his research focuses relating to bridging the gap between lifespan and health- span,

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28:50

26) Fatima Gebauer - Heavenly first impressions of...

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

2026/06/04

Fátima Gebauer (EMBL Staff Scientist, 1995-2002) speaks with Angus Lamond (EMBL Group Leader, 1987-1995) about her experience at EMBL, including her initial impression of the lab as "heaven" and her subsequent project on sex-lethal protein. Fátima reflects on her role as Chair of the EMBL Alumni Association board and leadership styles and challenges in life sciences, sharing advice in particular for young researchers. This interview was recorded in July 2023. Adobe Podcast was used to enhance audio

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30:56

25) Baubak Bajoghli - Visualising discovery through...

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

2026/05/28

In this interview, Baubak Bajoghli (Former Postdoctoral Fellow. EMBL Heidelberg, 2012-2017, currently Director, Austrian BioImaging/CMI, Vienna) describes to Angus Lamond ( Former Group Leader, EMBL Heidelberg, 1987-1995, currently Professor, University of Dundee) about how the EMBL served as a vital catalyst for his research into immune cell development. By providing access to advanced imaging technology and the transparent medaka fish model, the institution allowed him to visualise biological

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39:45

24) Ernst Stelzer. - A career of innovation in light...

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

2026/05/22

Ernst Stelzer ( EMBL Group Leader, 1983-2011) speaks with Angus Lamond (EMBL Group Leader, 1987-1995) about his career journey from EMBL Predoc to Group Leader, and his contributions to the field of microscopy including the development of confocal microscopyThis interview was recorded in July 2023Alumni 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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35:12

Mark Green - Science administration at the coalface...

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

2026/05/14

Mark Green (Internal Auditor, EMBL Heidelberg, 1999-2003 , Head of EBI Administration, 2003-2018 ) discusses his career at EMBL with Angus Lamond (EMBL Group Leader, 1987-1995). While working for the Medical Research Council (MRC) in the UK, he was tasked with auditing the MRC Transition Fund for EMBL to move its data library to the nascent EBI.This began a connection with EMBL which would lead him to becoming an internal auditor in Heidelberg and then head of EBI administration.This conversation

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24:17

Mary Holmes - Recounting EMBL's establishment and...

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

2026/05/07

Mary Holmes (EMBL's first librarian, 1974-1998) speaks with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral fellow, 1999-2004) about the establishment of EMBL, the early days of the Szilárd library and the technological advances witnessed in over 20 years. Mary reflects on the impact of her husband, Ken Holmes, and his role in leading EMBL's first site in Hamburg. Ken was awarded the Lennart Philipson Award in 2021 for outstanding contributions in translational research and technology innovation. This interview

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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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39 results

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