“We use light – photons – to develop much faster and more energy-efficient components. I primarily see this technology as a versatile tool – a workhorse – that allows us to design concepts for a wide range of applications. At the moment, we are using it for optical biosensing to detect cancer biomarkers in the bloodstream.”
A multifaceted career
“I have a background in engineering and have worked in various physics departments for many years. While research is my primary focus, I am also involved in teaching and entrepreneurship. I enjoy turning ideas into tangible products.
Additionally, writing grant proposals is a crucial part of the process – you constantly need to secure funding to push projects forward. I’m not great at time management, but I can work fast. When I focus, I can write a proposal in a week, and I find it easy to maintain that level of concentration.”
The next step
“I love working on new concepts – that’s the essence of research. But once I have the information, I don’t just leave it there. I always ask myself: What’s the next step to turn this into a real product?
Everything starts with curiosity. I hire people who share this mindset, and in that sense, my team is very similar to me. Whenever we develop something, our goal is always to turn it into a usable product. I’m fortunate to have a team of highly skilled, reliable, and knowledgeable people whom I fully trust.”
Staying on top of things
“About two and a half years ago, I started a startup, and I was lucky. After just one lecture, investors were already on board. I never had to worry about fundraising – they invested in the company, and we started building the devices.
However, I have come to understand the challenges of running a startup much better. It requires you to constantly stay engaged and keep track of everything. If the market shifts, you need to be able to adjust your course quickly – and that’s not always easy.
Right now, I’m working on launching another startup with support from the business developers at Biotech Booster. The goal is to establish the company within two years. I have strong confidence that the business developers will help me identify the right market.
In terms of research, I know my team is exceptional. I don’t say this out of arrogance – they really are amazing, and I trust them completely. However, I also need strong business support to ensure everything aligns properly.”
An entrepreneurial mindset
“To be honest, I didn’t initially have an entrepreneurial mindset. Like many scientists, I was hesitant because I thought that pursuing entrepreneurship might somehow make me a lesser scientist. That’s a common belief in academia, and I don’t entirely agree with it.
Because when I started turning my ideas into real products and saw them come to life, I realised that this was perhaps the best validation of my research. Many scientists who publish in high-impact journals believe their ideas will change the world. But the reality is that most of these ideas never materialise into anything tangible.”
Everything starts in the lab
“Because of all this, I have mixed feelings about how Recognition and Rewards is being applied. I earned my PhD with a modernisation perspective, and I became an Associate Professor because I chose the path of useful research.
But I think this creates a kind of polarisation. It gives people the impression that I no longer do research – that I only focus on entrepreneurship and that this is the reason for my promotion. And that is completely inaccurate. Because in reality, everything starts with research in the lab. If the outcome is truly valuable and impactful, you transform that research into an idea and eventually into a product.”
The framework needs to change
“I believe that the way our department applies Recognition and Rewards could be more thoughtful. While they acknowledge my skills, when they compare my research output with others in the department, it often feels like they view my work differently.
I’ve had to make it clear that my position as an Associate Professor with a focus on valorisation does not mean that I don’t do research. I think the framing needs to change – perhaps through different wording or a new approach to explaining Recognition and Rewards. Otherwise, it can leave a bitter aftertaste.”
A good mentor is invaluable
“I believe we need to give young researchers more freedom to showcase their strengths and talents, allowing them to contribute to research without feeling excluded.
When you’re at the beginning of your career, having a good mentor is truly invaluable. In the current system, mistakes can sometimes feel very discouraging and even damaging. But if you have someone who supports you and guides you through challenges, it can make all the difference.”
