The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Alumni Chats Series

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,...

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 j...

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 researc...

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...

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...

Moritz Gerstung (EMBL-EBI Group Leader, 2015-2021) speaks with Angus Lamond (EMBL Group Leader, 1987-1995), discussing his transition from physics to computational biology, driven by the complexities of biological systems. He highlights his work at EMBL-EBI, which focused on cancer genomes and tumour dynamics using next-generation sequencing and AI tools. Moritz emphasised the importance of open d...