The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Alumni Chats Series

26) Fatima Gebauer - Heavenly first impressions of EMBL and advice for young group leaders

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 quality. EMBL. 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 appearance on any EMBL Alumni media accounts does not constitute an endorsement by EMBL. Production and Editing: EMBL Alumni Relations Content and Interviews: Angus Lamond and Thomas Vaccari Music: Eco Technology by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay Thanks to: EMBL Audiovisual and EMBL Design Sponsored by: EMBLEM © European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)

25) Baubak Bajoghli - Visualising discovery through open access and the EMBL experience.

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 processes that were previously hidden. This conversation was recorded in January 2026. 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 appearance of content on EMBL Alumni media accounts does not constitute an endorsement by EMBL. Production and Editing: EMBL Alumni Relations Content and Interviews: Angus Lamond and Thomas Vaccari Music: Eco Technology by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay Thanks to: EMBL Audiovisual and EMBL Design Sponsored by: EMBLEM © European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)

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

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 microscopy 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 appearance of on EMBL Alumni media accounts does not constitute an endorsement by EMBL. Adobe Podcast was used to improve the quality and clarity of the audio in this podcast. Video Production and Editing: EMBL Alumni Relations Content and Interviews: Angus Lamond and Thomas Vaccari Music: Eco Technology by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay Thanks to: EMBL Audiovisual and EMBL Design Sponsored by: EMBLEM © European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)

23) Mark Green - Science administration at the coalface of groundbreaking research

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 was recorded in July 2025. Adobe Podcast was used to improve the quality and clarity of the audio in this podcast. Adobe Podcast 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 appearance of content on the EMBL Alumni RSS account does not constitute an endorsement by EMBL. Production and Editing: EMBL Alumni Relations Content and Interviews: Angus Lamond and Thomas Vaccari Music: Eco Technology by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay Thanks to: EMBL Audiovisual and EMBL Design Sponsored by: EMBLEM © European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)

22) Mary Holmes - Recounting EMBL's establishment and becoming its first Librarian

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 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 appearance of content on EMBL Alumni media accounts does not constitute an endorsement by EMBL. Production and Editing: EMBL Alumni Relations Content and Interviews: Angus Lamond and Thomas Vaccari Music: Eco Technology by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay T hanks to: EMBL Audiovisual and EMBL Design Sponsored by: EMBLEM © European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)