Thomas Jacobs – Transplanting, adapting, and flourishing in a new environment

Called to Science Season 3 Trailer

In five brand-new episodes, you'll meet researchers whose paths into science are anything but straightforward. Think a lifelong promise shaped by personal loss, a journey from first-generation student to grant expert, what it takes to be an expert, and careers that cross continents, disciplines, and even worlds, from the lab bench to European policy. Along the way, you will hear about doubt, teamwork, rare disease research, open lab doors, career leaps, science outreach, and a few very human reminders that even brilliant people like you are often just figuring it out as they go. Let us know your Dare to Ask questions in the comments or via this form [https://forms.vib.be/anon/#/forms/7c1aa9a9-08e0-49fa-a9aa-9ab55c56b016]. ________________________________________ Called to Science is a podcast by VIB [https://vib.be/nl#/]. Produced by De Praeters [https://www.depraeters.be/].

Laurent Galibert – A lifelong mission in drug discovery

For Laurent Galibert, drug discovery was never just a career choice. It was a promise. In this episode, Laurent shares how a personal loss shaped his path in science, why doubt is part of making good decisions, and how teamwork keeps drug discovery moving forward, even when success is far from certain. At VIB Discovery Sciences, Laurent helps turn early scientific ideas into opportunities that could one day change patients’ lives. He speaks passionately about the mix of expertise, collaboration, and ambition that allows people from different backgrounds to build something meaningful together. Curious about a place where top science, purpose, and teamwork come together? Discover opportunities at VIB via jobs.vib.be [https://jobs.vib.be/]. #researchjobs #lifesciences #drugdiscovery Let us know your Dare to Ask questions in the comments or via this form [https://forms.vib.be/anon/#/forms/7c1aa9a9-08e0-49fa-a9aa-9ab55c56b016]. ________________________________________ Called to Science is a podcast by VIB [https://vib.be/nl#/]. Produced by De Praeters [https://www.depraeters.be/].

Ayşe Candayan – Grants, genes, and grit

What does it take to go from first-generation everything to grant guru? In this episode, Ayşe Candayan shares her path from Turkey to Antwerp and reflects on the people and places that helped shape her into the scientist she is today. From strong female role models to the life-changing opportunity of the Darüşşafaka Schools, this is a story about talent, ambition, and what can happen when someone gets the chance to grow. Ayşe is now a postdoctoral researcher at the VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, where she studies the genetics of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. She explains why rare disease research matters far more than people often realize, why collaboration is essential, and why clear storytelling might just be one of the most underrated scientific skills out there. Yes, we also get into her grant-writing secrets! Looking for a place where mentorship, collaboration, and scientific curiosity can take you far? Explore opportunities at VIB via jobs.vib.be [https://jobs.vib.be/]. #researchjobs #postdocjobs #lifesciences #raredisease Let us know your Dare to Ask questions in the comments or via this form [https://forms.vib.be/anon/#/forms/7c1aa9a9-08e0-49fa-a9aa-9ab55c56b016]. ________________________________________ Called to Science is a podcast by VIB [https://vib.be/nl#/]. Produced by De Praeters [https://www.depraeters.be/].

Thomas Jacobs – Transplanting, adapting, and flourishing in a new environment

What do baseball, plant genome editing, and failure have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, Thomas Jacobs talks about growing up with a love for plants and baseball, following his curiosity from the US to Belgium, and building a career in plant genome editing at the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology. His approach to science is refreshingly straightforward: expect things to fail, focus on the question in front of you, and take it one pitch at a time. Thomas also shares what surprised him about moving to VIB, from the scale of the scientific support to a culture where collaboration is real, lab doors are open, and sharing is just part of the job. He reflects on team culture, sustainable lab practices, fast-moving technologies like nanopore sequencing and AI, and why fundamental discovery still matters, even when you do not yet know where it will lead. Looking for a place where curiosity, teamwork, and ambitious science can grow side by side? Explore opportunities at VIB via jobs.vib.be [https://jobs.vib.be/]. #researchjobs #plantscience #genomeediting #lifesciences Let us know your Dare to Ask questions in the comments or via this form [https://forms.vib.be/anon/#/forms/7c1aa9a9-08e0-49fa-a9aa-9ab55c56b016]. ________________________________________ Called to Science is a podcast by VIB [https://vib.be/nl#/]. Produced by De Praeters [https://www.depraeters.be/].

Lia Martina – From pipettes to policy

From mosaics to moyamoya disease, and from the lab bench to the European Commission. In this episode, Lia Martina shares her journey from a small Italian town to the world of biology and proteomics. Today, Lia works as a policy officer at the European Commission on the European Health Data Space, helping turn big ideas into something that works for people across Europe. One of her clearest success metrics is that one day, her mom should be able to travel with a suitcase full of food, not medical paperwork. She explains why scientists are often better prepared for policy than they think, how her PhD helped her grow, and why sometimes the bravest career move is simply trusting your gut. Looking for a place where science can open more doors than you expected, inside and outside the lab? Explore opportunities at VIB via jobs.vib.be [https://jobs.vib.be/]. #researchjobs #sciencecareers #policy #lifesciences #proteomics Let us know your Dare to Ask questions in the comments or via this form [https://forms.vib.be/anon/#/forms/7c1aa9a9-08e0-49fa-a9aa-9ab55c56b016]. ________________________________________ Called to Science is a podcast by VIB [https://vib.be/nl#/]. Produced by De Praeters [https://www.depraeters.be/].