Called to Science

In this episode, we talk to Joleen Masschelein, who is exploring the biosynthetic ingenuity of microbes at VIB-KU Leuven, trying to uncover new antibiotics and bioactive compounds.  Joleen’s fascination with bacteria took off during her master’s research, when she contributed to the discovery of an antibiotic in bacteria collected from a student restaurant. This set her on a lifelong mission to understand and harness the power of microbes. We talk about the thrill of discovery, the challenges of working with stubborn microbes, and why she believes that being proactive and chasing opportunities is the key to success in science. Share your favorite discovery in science in the comments!Ready to take your research further? Join VIB – Where top science meets global talent. Check out our open positions at jobs.vib.be.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Called to Science is a podcast by VIB. Produced by De Praeters. 

Fueled by curiosity and a passion to decode life, Stein Aerts became a pioneer in AI and computational biology at VIB-KU Leuven. There, he combines genetics, data analysis, and artificial intelligence to try and get to the root of understanding biological systems. Among many other things, his research led to the development of the Cell Atlas of the fruit fly, a powerful tool mapping which genes are active in which cells. But for Stein, research isn’t just about finding answers, but about asking the right questions.  Our conversation leads us through the jungles of Ecuador and Columbia, perspectives on embracing failures, and what it means to leave a legacy in science.  Tell us in the comments what leaving a legacy in science means to you!Ready to take your research further? Join VIB – Where top science meets global talent. Check out our open positions at jobs.vib.be.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Called to Science is a podcast by VIB. Produced by De Praeters. 

In this episode, we sit down with Colinda Scheele, a researcher who focuses on the earliest stages of cancer, revealing the fundamental biology of how healthy cells transform into tumors at VIB-KU Leuven. She believes that to truly conquer cancer, we must first understand how cancer begins and ultimately, how to stop it before it even starts. Colinda’s curiosity and a deep drive to understand biological mechanisms have not only shaped her research, but also her unconventional career path. Securing a group leader position straight after her PhD, she proves that success in science isn’t about following a set path, but about taking risks and asking big questions.  She shares how a fiery passion for discovery has guided her journey, how she disconnects from work, and why embracing risk is at the heart of scientific progress.  We would love to know how you disconnect from work or how you approach balancing risks in research. Tell us in the comments!Ready to take your research further? Join VIB – Where top science meets global talent. Check out our open positions at jobs.vib.be.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Called to Science is a podcast by VIB. Produced by De Praeters. 

Bart De Strooper is now a trailblazing Alzheimer's researcher, but his path wasn’t always clear. His journey started early. From a young age, he was mesmerized by science, conducting experiments at home and drawing inspiration from comic books. Although he initially embarked on a medical degree, his heart soon led him to fundamental research. A blend of serendipity and mentorship steered him toward genetics and ultimately to groundbreaking Alzheimer's research at VIB-KU Leuven. Bart shares his experiences navigating the highs and lows of research, his unyielding passion for science, and why he’s more optimistic than ever about the future of Alzheimer's research. Tell us in the comments what drives you to do research!Ready to take your research further? Join VIB – Where top science meets global talent. Check out our open positions at jobs.vib.be.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Called to Science is a podcast by VIB. Produced by De Praeters. 

Some careers follow a plan; Erin Tranfield’s did not. Now Head of the VIB BioImaging Core Ghent, she grew up on a cattle ranch in Canada, where a love for photography eventually transformed into a passion for microscopy and science. Her relentless curiosity took her to NASA and cutting-edge research labs across Europe. A self-proclaimed microscopy nerd, Erin talks about the similarities between imaging and art, the importance of innovation in microscopy, but also makes a plea for the humble light microscope. We dive into her experiences moving across countries, confronting imposter syndrome, handling the pressure to succeed, and why following what excites you is the best career strategy. Do you have an original career path in science or tips on dealing with imposter syndrome? Share them in the comments!Ready to take your research further? Join VIB – Where top science meets global talent. Check out our open positions at jobs.vib.be.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Called to Science is a podcast by VIB. Produced by De Praeters. 

Stay tuned for the release of the first season on 29 April! Called to Science uncovers the untold stories of the people pushing the boundaries of life sciences. Hosted by science journalist Brad van Paridon, the podcast goes beyond the research to explore the passion, setbacks, and big questions that drive scientists forward. The first season features in-depth conversations with researchers at VIB, covering topics from computational biology and microbiology to cancer research and imaging technologies. Each episode brings out the human side of how the scientific life can take unexpected turns, like moving from a cattle ranch to NASA or stumbling upon a new antibiotic in a student restaurant. Other guests open up about imposter syndrome, high-risk research, and learning to navigate failure as part of the process. For those who are Called to Science, this podcast is for you! 

For Milton Antwi, moving abroad is never without challenges, but every change brings growth. Fresh from completing his PhD at the VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Milton reflects on his journey researching treatments for fatty liver disease while navigating life across borders. In this episode, Milton shares how music and science overlap, why collaboration fuels discovery, and why taking the leap into the unknown is often the best career move you can make.Do you have a question you always wanted to ask? Submit them here anonymously.________________________________________Called to Science is a podcast by VIB. Produced by De Praeters. 

From the lab bench to the boardroom, Jiska van der Reest has learned to navigate both the scientific and the business side of research. After studies in the Netherlands, Glasgow, and Harvard Medical School, she focused on cancer metabolism before making the leap into business development at VIB.In this episode, Jiska talks about what it means to bridge science and society, why business innovation is crucial for bringing discoveries to patients, and how working with an inspiring team makes translation possible. Her story is one of moving across countries, careers, and mindsets, always with impact at the center.Do you have a question you always wanted to ask? Submit them here anonymously.________________________________________Called to Science is a podcast by VIB. Produced by De Praeters. 

Not every inspiring career in science requires a PhD. Elina Kuznecova has built a path that challenges expectations, from leaving her home country at a young age to working in high-tech labs at leading institutes across Europe. Now a lab technician at the VIB Spatial Catalyst, Elina reflects on the choices that shaped her career and the lessons she learned along the way.She also shares how failure can be a powerful teacher, why she chose to make her journey public to more than 90,000 followers on Instagram, and what it means to inspire the next generation of scientists to find their own path.Do you have a question you always wanted to ask? Submit them here anonymously.________________________________________Called to Science is a podcast by VIB. Produced by De Praeters. 

For Bart Lambrecht, the most exciting discoveries happen where science and medicine meet. As director of the VIB Center for Inflammation Research and a leading expert on asthma and allergies, Bart thrives on the constant back-and-forth between patient care and the lab bench.In this episode, Bart shares what it means to be a physician-scientist, why fly fishing and research require the same patience and precision, and how curiosity in the clinic can spark breakthroughs in the lab, and vice versa. His story highlights the unique perspective that comes from living in both worlds at once.Do you have a question you always wanted to ask? Submit them here anonymously.________________________________________Called to Science is a podcast by VIB. Produced by De Praeters. 

For Ruben Vazquez-Uribe, science is not about titles or publications, but about meaning. From Mexico City to the Netherlands, Denmark, and now Belgium, Ruben has carried his passion for microbes around the world, looking for ways they can benefit society, from food to sustainability. As a staff scientist at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Ruben brings not only his research but also his values to the table. He talks about what it means to embed community, culture, and sustainability into science, why positive impact matters more than prestige, and how microbes may hold the key to shaping a better future.Do you have a question you always wanted to ask? Submit them here anonymously.________________________________________Called to Science is a podcast by VIB. Produced by De Praeters. 

Behind every discovery lies a story, of curiosity, values, and perseverance. In the second season of Called to Science, we go deeper into the lives of scientists at VIB. From the clinic to the lab bench, from Mexico City to Belgium, from business development to social media, these researchers share how science shapes their lives and how their lives shape science.Hosted by science journalist Bradley Van Paridon, this season uncovers personal journeys of risk-taking, resilience, and inspiration. Expect stories of moving across continents, redefining what a career in science can look like, learning from failure, and discovering the values that drive research forward.Do you have a question you always wanted to ask? Submit them here anonymously.________________________________________Called to Science is a podcast by VIB. Produced by De Praeters.