Called to Science

What drives a scientist to keep going after research setbacks? What is it like to discover a drug that could have saved a family member, to let values guide your career, or to move continents to pursue your passion?Called to Science shares real stories from the world of life sciences research. Hosted by science journalist Brad van Paridon, the podcast goes behind the science to explore the people, passion, and persistence behind breakthroughs in areas like computational biology, neuroscience, microbiology, and cancer research.Each episode features VIB scientists reflecting on the human side of science careers: how they face failure, fight imposter syndrome, and stay curious in the face of uncertainty. Whether you are a student, researcher, or just science-curious, these stories will show how discovery often begins with the unexpected.Let us know your Dare to Ask questions in the comments.Ready to take your research further? Join VIB – Where top science meets global talent. Check ou

Called to Science is a science podcast hosted by VIB, with 18 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

VIB hosts Called to Science, a science show with 18 episodes published.

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  Called to Science

  Called to Science Season 3 Trailer

  Apr 22, 20262 minS3

  <p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Let...

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  Episode #1

  Laurent Galibert – A lifelong mission in drug discovery

  Apr 22, 202635 minS3

  <p>For Laurent Galibert, drug discovery was never just a career choice. It was a promise.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Cu...

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  Episode #2

  Ayşe Candayan – Grants, genes, and grit

  Apr 22, 202633 minS3

  <p>What does it take to go from first-generation everything to grant guru?</p><p>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.</p><p>Ayşe is now a postdoctoral researcher at the VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, where she studies the genetics of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disea...

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  Episode #3

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

  Apr 22, 202630 minS3

  <p>What do baseball, plant genome editing, and failure have in common? More than you might think.</p><p>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.</p><p>Thomas also shares what surprised him about moving to VIB, from the...

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  Episode #4

  Lia Martina – From pipettes to policy

  Apr 22, 202635 minS3

  <p>From mosaics to moyamoya disease, and from the lab bench to the European Commission.</p><p>In this episode, Lia Martina shares her journey from a small Italian town to the world of biology and proteomics.</p><p>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.</p><p>She explains why scientists...

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