PDC co-chair 2023: Céline Vrancx

What is your field of research and what are you investigating?

I am a neurobiologist and I work on the cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to Alzheimer’s disease. My research focuses on an important family of proteins - called Presenilins - with the goal of understanding how modulating their function at early stages could be used as a therapeutic method to prevent neurons from dying.

When did you know you wanted a career in science?

 I’ve wanted to be a scientist since I was about 8 years old! Which is actually quite surprising, as no one around me was involved in such a career. In high school, I developed a particular interest for biology, and later for neuroscience. Today, whenever I get interesting or promising results, I still feel the excitement of my inner child being curious about what it means. 

How did you end up at VIB?

At the end of my PhD, I was looking for an opportunity to conduct another research project in the field of Alzheimer’s, but diversify my expertise at the same time. My current lab was the perfect fit for this, so I applied for a postdoctoral position and luckily was granted it a few months later. I thus joined the Center of Brain & Disease research at VIB-KU Leuven a little over a year ago, and find it very motivating and inspiring!

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I love the fact that it combines many different aspects; from the bench to the office in a minute. On the same day, I can prepare neuronal cultures and perform an imaging or biochemical analysis, while working on my next ideas and interpreting data during as many incubation steps as the experiment requires! I also absolutely love brainstorming and exchanging ideas with fellow researchers, whether it is within my team or at meetings and conferences.

The scientific process entails a lot of failures and things not going as planned along the way. How do you deal with that aspect of the work to stay motivated?

Day by day, I make a tight schedule for myself with a list of things to do. It helps me mentally to get the feeling of having the job done by the end of the day. Personally, I find this really important, as working in science usually means working on the same project for a few years at least. In addition, I always try to focus on the big picture. During periods of time where nothing seems to work, I take some distance and remind myself of my long-term goal. This helps me figure out other ways to get there if the ones I am currently trying do not work out.

Do you have any tips on how to unwind after a stressful day?

A good walk and spending time with family and friends. Reminding yourself that there is more to life than work. Spending time with people that believe in you and make you feel confident that you will reach the goals you set for yourself. And on really bad days, a hot bubble bath always helps to relax!