From

face to

Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows face

Research and Innovation

Sans titre-a5.indd 1 11/07/12 10:50 EUROPEAN COMMISSION Directorate-General for Research and Innovation Directorate R— Resources Unit R6— Marie Curie Actions-FP6 E-mail: [email protected] Contact: Sergio DI VIRGILIO European Commission B-1049 Brussels E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

Sans titre-a5.indd 2 11/07/12 10:50 EUROPEAN COMMISSION

From

face to

Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows face

Directorate-General for Research and Innovation 2012 Marie Curie Actions EUR 12569 EN EUROPE DIRECT is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union

Freephone number (*): 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (*) Certain mobile telephone operators do not allow access to 00 800 numbers or these calls may be billed

LEGAL NOTICE Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use which might be made of the following information. The views expressed in this publication are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission.

More information on the European Union is available on the Internet (http://europa.eu).

Cataloguing data can be found at the end of this publication.

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2012

ISBN 978-92-79-23909-0 doi 10.2777/87638

© European Union, 2012 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.

Images © provided by the researchers interviewed 5 Foreword Europe’s competiveness and future standard of living depend on our ability to drive innova- tion through new, job-creating products and services. Major innovations oen come from unforeseen breakthroughs or the new appli- cation of existing or emerging technologies. That is why one of my top priorities is to strengthen the European Union’s position as world leader in science and to attract and encourage the best talents to work together across Europe.

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie programme has been working towards this goal since 1996 by pro- viding financial support to young researchers wishing to expand their horizons through a period of work in another European country. It has encouraged researchers to work together, fostered pan-European collaboration and built upon EU cultural and social diversity. We should never for- get that it is Europe’s cultural diversity that makes our mobility programme so successful. This cultural diversity is something unique and reflects the nature of Europe and the programme is named aer Marie Skłodowska-Curie, herself a pioneering scientist whose international collabo- ration resulted in invaluable scientific discovery in the early 20th century. The Marie Skłodowska- Curie actions harness this diversity, which is an invaluable asset to the European Union, a pillar of European Research, and the backbone of the European Research Area.

This book introduces some of the researchers who benefitted from a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship under the Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Develop- ment and Demonstration (FP6) implemented between 2002 and 2006. During the training period (2003-2012), funding was provided for 14,500 Fellows coming from 121 Countries. The book therefore presents only a limited selection of the outstanding accomplishments of this multidisciplinary international research programme; it cannot do justice to all the young and brilliant researchers who have made it such a success. It demonstrates, however, that despite coming from different countries, they have in common the desire to make a better life for future European generations. They will be among the key players of the next generation of European research leaders and entrepreneurs.

Since the launch of Marie Skłodowska-Curie, some 60,000 Fellows have already received support, but we want to raise the bar even higher. The goal of encouraging excellent science will be one of the three pillars of the next EU research and innovation funding programme, Horizon 2020, which I announced in November 2011. Horizon 2020 will help Europe’s bright- est and most creative minds extend the frontiers of knowledge by strengthening activities, including Marie Curie Actions, that support researchers’ careers and mobility.

The reason is simple: research and innovation are vital to everyone’s wellbeing. This book illustrates how thousands of young researchers are contributing to a brighter future for us all.

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science From face to face 6

Table Of Contents

Foreword 5 Introduction 9

Portraits

Amin Ameri Ghasrodashti 18 Ergin Atalar 20 Ulrich Blum 22 Zeev Bomzon 24 Michael Boutros 26 Alicia Boyano 28 Michelangelo Campanella 30 Roberta Carafa 32 Tomasz Ciamulski 34 Dennis Claessen 36 Love Dalén 38 Amit Deshpande 40 Stoycho Dimitrov Stoev 42 Dolores Domínguez García 44 Rui Pinto Guimarães 46 José A. Iglesias Guitián 48 Marian-Daniel Iordache 50 Olivier Joly 52 Vaios Karanikas 54 Dorota Kostrz 56 Chandrashekhar Vishwanath Kulkarni 58 Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows 7

Nikolaos Laoutaris 60 Piet Lens 62 Narcisa Martínez Quiles 64 John McKean 66 Roman Nevshupa 68 Dorota Roberts 70 Manel Rodriguez Ripoll 72 Vinothkumar Kutti Ragunath 74 Hakan Serhad Soyhan 76 Claudia Custodia Delgado Simão 78 Nicole F Steinmetz 80 Irina Ivanova Stoyanova 82 Lena Svensson 84 Ovidiu Tesileanu 86 Panagiotis Tsakalides 88 Arjen van Miltenburg 90 Francisco Vega 92 Admar Verschoor 94 Nadine Zeeni 96 Zulin Zhang 98

Acronyms 101 From face to face 8 Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows 9

INTRODUCTION

When the European Commission decided in 1996 to name its programme for researcher mobility aer a pres- tigious European scientist, the Nobel Prize winner Marie Skłodowska-Curie, nobody could have predicted how popular it would become. By 2012, the programme had attracted more than 60 000 researchers – from Europe and beyond – who have benefitted from Fellowships last- ing between a few months and a few years.

In 16 years the Marie Curie Actions (MCAs) have gone through four Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development; today they are ready to be- come part of the new Horizon 2020 programme, to be launched in January 2014.

This book, presenting portraits of 41 researchers, fo- cuses on one specific Framework Programme – FP6 (2002-2006) – which included the funding line ‘Human Resources and Mobility’. The overall strategic objective here was to provide broad support for the development of abundant and dynamic world-class human resources within the European research system, taking into account the inherent international dimension of research.

Why are we publishing these results now? Because al- though the first projects started in 2003, those funded towards the end of the programme finished only recently. Now is therefore the right time to gather the facts and present some of our data for discussion.

With an initial budget of EUR 1.9 billion, the FP6 MCAs made it possible to fund 4 065 projects, involving 1 580 different organisations and recruiting almost 14 500 Fel- lows from 121 countries. From face to face 10

Figure 1: Overall mobility comparing origin of Fellows and countries hosting Fellows

Mobility of Marie Curie Fellows It should not be forgotten that Fellows needed to overcome a number of obsta- Analysis of the results of the FP6 MCAs cles to be able to move to another country. reveals the distribution of Fellows across The main obstacles were administrative Europe. In the map shown in Figure 1, the and legal aspects, and family commit- darker the shading, the higher the number ments as illustrated in Figure 2. of Fellows from this country having partici- pated in the MCAs. The green dots indicate where the Fellows were hosted.

The map shows that the United Kingdom was the main “receiver” of FP6 MCA Fellows, although Fellows were trained all over Eu- rope. Italy and Germany were the main “pro- viders” of Fellows, followed by France, Spain and Poland. These data have not been nor- malised in relation to the overall population. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows 11

Percentage of answers Not defined Little Much in this category Very little Fair Very much

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0% Lack of Admin Legal Recog & Valid Lang & Cult Family Information Aspects of Mob of Host Coun Reasons

Type of obstacle

Figure 2: Obstacles to the mobility necessary to participate in Marie Curie Actions

Peer-reviewed publications One of the outputs, papers in peer-re- viewed publications, is illustrated in the In the third Century BC, Archimedes said: graph in Figure 3. The numbers are based “Give me a place to stand, and I shall move on follow-up questionnaires filled in by the Earth with a lever.” He was describing Fellows two years aer the completion the incredible strength that one could exert of their Marie Curie project. On average, with a simple lever: one would be able to each Fellow was involved in at least three move the Earth. scientific publications and was the main author of around two. This is the result Are we not also making the world move for- of Fellowships lasting, on average, 20 ward when we innovate? Are we not helping months. The total number of papers pub- to move the world with scientific progress? lished by funded researchers during the A huge effort was made by scientists across FP6 MCAs was more than 45 000, which the lifespan of the FP6 MCAs, and the re- considering the funding represents on av- sults – many of them very significant – have erage EUR 40 000 per publication. helped to move the frontiers of knowledge. From face to face 12

Average no of publications

10 10

9 9

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1 267 74 7 56 143 79 53 200 611 69 1000 1184 626 3117 3743 0 0

IIF AII EIF IIFR OIF ERG IRG EXC EXT EST RTN

TOK-DEV TOK-IAP Host actions Peer-reviewed publications in journals Individual actions

As main author

Figure 3: Average number of publications per Fellow

Questionnaires on Employability Employability data – as extracted from the follow-up questionnaires – tell us that al- The questionnaires provided very useful feed- most 90% of the Fellows were employed back. Fellows were first asked to fill in a ques- two years aer the end of their MC project, tionnaire immediately aer the completion of and as illustrated in Figure 4, a large propor- their Fellowship (evaluation) and then again tion of them continued in research. As can two years later (follow-up). In total, one third be seen in Figure 5, experienced researchers of the Fellows completed the follow-up ques- had a slightly higher employment rate than tionnaire, providing a valuable insight into the early stage researchers, but the rates were impact of the programme on their profession- very similar. al career. The figure 3 above is based on a representative sample of the questionnaires collected. Overall, 4 514 completed follow-up questionnaires were collected. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows 13

employed not in 89% SME 69%

in SME not 15% employed 11%

unknown 5%

100%

80% 86.8% 94.2%

60%

40%

20%

0% Early Stage Researchers Experienced Researchers

Figures 4 and 5: Employment rate based on follow-up questionnaires and according to research experience

The FP6 MCAs can be seen as Archimedes’ Moreover, analysis of responses from the “place to stand”. They provided researchers various questionnaires shows that the FP6 with a ‘lever’ to use their scientific capaci- MCAs had a structural effect: on mobility, ties to move European science forward. In with 50% of the Fellows not returning to their addition to allowing many Fellows to move home country aer their MC contract; and on forward in their careers, the MCAs also contractual arrangements, with 40% of coor- helped them strengthen their personal ca- dinators declaring that the MC contract had pacities and skills. a structuring effect on their organisation, in particular for the type of contract offered to Fellows outside of the MC programme. From face to face 14

Gender distribution

From Figure 6 it is clear that participation by women was close to the programme target of Female 40%, with women representing around 37% 37% of recruited and trained researchers. Male 63%

Female Male

LV CY PL HU BG EE LT EL RO IT CZ IE BE FR SK NL ES DK SE DE AT SI UK FI PT

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Figures 6 and 7: Gender distribution by total number of Fellows and by country (working place)

Figure 7 shows that women researchers were represented best in Portugal and Fin- land, where the ‘ideal’ of 50% was almost reached. Data for Malta and Luxembourg are not presented due to the small sample size. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows 15

Industry participation

In relation to industry participation, the FP6 MCAs did not have specific targets. But the results of this so approach are nonetheless worthy of mention and posi- tive, in particular in relation to innovation: the Actions were able to attract many companies, representing 22.6% of all 1 580 participants, as illustrated in Fig- ure 8. When companies were involved in projects, they took full advantage of the opportunity (e.g. for patents or spin-offs). The activity reports show that 525 patents were filed and 141 were granted.

Non commercial 77.3%

SMEs 7.7%

Commercial 22.6% Large enterprises 15.0%

Figure 8: Distribution of commercial vs non-commercial institutions participating in the programme 16

International collaboration Whether a researcher moved from Europe to outside, or from outside to Europe, the The FP6 MCAs were conceived for Euro- links established launched collaborations pean researchers. But the data on inter- that are ongoing several years aer the national collaboration highlights positive end of the project. The participation of MC trends in brain circulation, confirming the fellows from Third Countries, represented attractiveness of Europe for researchers in Figure 9, shows that 16.6% of all MC on a global scale. Fellows (approximately 2 350), who came primarily from countries with a special agreement with EU – International Coop- eration Partner Countries. The status of each participating country is the one of FP6, with Bulgaria and Romania consid- ered Associated Countries

Third countries 16%

Non ICPC 5.2%

EU-25 73.9% ICPC 12.4% Associated countries 8.5%

Figure 9: Origin of MC Fellows by home country 17

And now the Fellows’ Portraits… The stories presented in this book represent only 0.3% of all FP6 MCAs stories. But they The MCAs – and European projects in general – confirm that practical examples are the best are a common effort. They enable stakeholders way to convey messages about the success of to have a say and contribute to making Europe the Marie Curie Actions. the most performing and dynamic knowledge- based economy in the world. Only through Without exception, all Fellows interviewed were synergies will the European engine gather the exuberant in their praise of the scheme and strength necessary to chart the current crisis the experience they had gained from it – both and return to growth. Every research institution personally and professionally. Many would not is a key piece in this engine. Full cooperation be where they are today if it were not for the between them is essential to achieve the mo- knowledge, experience or contacts gained dur- bility of knowledge – sometimes referred to as ing the Fellowship. While moving abroad was the EU’s fih freedom, aer the movement of initially daunting for some, all went on to em- goods, services, capital and labour. brace the international experience and never looked back. Looking back, it is not without pride that we can say the FP6 MCAs were avant-garde at their We would like to dedicate a special thank time. They addressed issues being prioritised you to the Fellows who accepted to introduce today, such as within the Europe 2020 Flag- themselves and pass on their thoughts to fu- ship Initiatives: ‘Youth on the move’, ‘New skills ture Marie Curie Fellows! for new jobs’ and ‘Innovation Union’. Through Individual and Host-driven Actions, the FP6 MCA programme implemented attractive sala- ries, family-friendly conditions, transparency in recruitment and industry participation. It also helped define the charter for researchers, which is now widely acknowledged as a tool to help researchers find their way when hosted through a MC project.

The information presented in this introduc- tion represents only a small part of the work accomplished by Unit R.6 “Marie Curie ac- tions – FP6” of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Inno- vation between June 2011 and June 2012. It is not exhaustive, but intended to frame the Fellows’ portraits. From face to face 18 Amin Ameri Ghasrodashti Cleaner energy and a brighter future Large quantities of CO emitted into the atmosphere 2 from industrial sources are having a major impact on the environment. Marie Curie Fellow Amin Ameri Ghasrodashti has been looking at one way to deal with this problem – a process known as enhanced oil recovery.

Striking the right balance between serving the world’s energy needs and reducing pressures on the environment requires new and innova- tive solutions. In enhanced oil recovery, CO gas is injected into – or 2 adjacent to – producing oil wells, acting as a pressurising agent and, when dissolved into the underground crude oil, significantly reducing its viscosity and enabling the oil to flow more rapidly through the earth to the removal well.

“On one hand,” explains Amin, “enhanced oil recovery using carbon dioxide offers an opportunity to produce more oil from mature oil fields, and on the other hand, it means large quantities of CO can be 2 sequestered underground rather than emitted into the atmosphere, reducing pollution and global warming.”

A stimulating experience

As a Marie Curie Fellow, Amin says he had hoped to be involved in a multi-disciplinary, world-class research training programme, to work closely with other experts and professionals and to gain some degree of experience for his future career.

I was aware that coming to a new country would involve a series of emotional and professional changes and challenges that could generate feelings such as isolation, uncertainty and even frustration. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Climate Change And Clean Energy Sustainable Consumption And Production 19

Asked whether his hopes were answered, he And move forward he has; aer his Fellow- says, “All my major expectations have been ship, Amin became involved as a full-time achieved. From the academic point of view, PhD researcher at TU Del’s Department the lab facilities available at the Technical of Geoscience and Engineering, where he is University [TU] Del are truly excellent, set- continuing the work he started as a Marie ting it apart from most other research insti- Curie Fellow. tutes and universities. Here, researchers have so many information sources available.” Amin says the Marie Curie Programme pro- vides an interactive, well-organised and effi- Amin says his time as a Fellow at TU Del al- cient research framework for scientists with lowed him to build a strong knowledge-based a clear potential for future achievement. social network and to better understand what it means to be a professional scientist. “From my viewpoint,” he says, “the most no- ticeable advantage of the Marie Curie pro- Even just living in the Netherlands has been gramme is that it takes into account the in- a stimulating experience for a Fellow with an ternational dimension of science.” He advises eye for engineering marvels: “This country future Fellows to take advantage of a great is unbelievable,” Amin remarks, “with about opportunity, and to do as much networking 25% of its area and 21% of its population as possible, a key to advancing their profes- located below sea level, and 50% of its land sional careers. lying less than one metre above sea level – a complicated system of drainage ditches, ca- “The Marie Curie Programme, with its gener- nals and pumping stations keep the low lying ous Fellowship packages, represents many, parts dry for habitation and agriculture.” many people who have put their time and effort into finding the minds that will shape Opportunity for personal growth the future.”

Making new friends, living in a different place, and, most importantly, working in a new and different academic environment were the primary motivations for Amin when Amin Ameri he made the decision to leave his home Ghasrodashti country of Iran for the Netherlands. Age: 32 “It was a risk,” he admits. “I was aware that Nationality: Iranian coming to a new country would involve a se- Fellowship dates: January 2010 – September ries of emotional and professional changes 2010 and challenges that could generate feel- Contract number: MRTN-CT-2006-035868 ings such as isolation, uncertainty and even Institution where Fellowship was carried out: frustration. Fortunately, my wife was also Technical University of Del, the Netherlands involved in the Marie Curie Programme and Research area: Chemical engineering in fact that helped both of us move forward.” Contact: a.amerighasrodashti@tudel.nl From face to face 20 Ergin Atalar Reconciling medical implants and high-tech imaging In the world of advanced medicine, doctors, surgeons and researchers have a range of new tools and technologies at their disposal to help people live healthier and happier lives. Marie Curie Grant recipient Ergin Atalar is making one advanced imaging technology available to a group of people who were previously unable to use it.

Active medical implants such as cardiac pacemakers and implant- able cardioverter-defibrillators are powerful tools that save countless lives. Unfortunately, they are generally considered to be incompatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an equally important tool used over a million times a year in the diagnosis of disease.

The problem is that these implants have metallic parts that can be affected by MRI’s strong magnetic effects. Concerns centre on the potential of MRI to inhibit implant functioning. “But there are even more important problems related to heat produced near implant electrodes,” says Ergin, “which can damage the patient’s heart.

“When I applied for Marie Curie funding, it was estimated that over 60 000 patients per year with active implants were being denied the imaging capabilities of MRI,” explains Ergin Atalar, “and the number is still rising.”

The Marie Curie grant enabled enabled my career move. It was the seed that I needed to return home and establish a large research centre. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health Public Health 21

Back where he belongs “Things are moving quickly now. There are many problems that we need to solve but, Ergin received a Marie Curie International rather than watching from a distance, being Reintegration Grant (IRG), which allowed part of it all is very joyful.” him to come back to work in his home coun- try of Turkey. Aer six high-impact journal papers, four master’s theses and one PhD thesis on the “I went to the United States to carry out re- subject of MRI-compatible pacemakers, search under a two-year Fellowship at Johns Ergin’s group has now had two of its designs Hopkins University,” he explains. “I was eventu- licensed by MRI interventions Inc. and pat- ally offered a faculty position at the same insti- ent rights have been transferred to Boston tute and ultimately promoted to full professor.” Scientific.

It was during a sabbatical year at Bilkent Uni- Ergin’s group has also published dozens of versity in Ankara that Ergin applied for a Marie other papers, 14 US patents and over 70 con- Curie IRG fellowship: “I knew there was a strong ference presentations in a variety of areas. demand for an MRI-compatible active implant. My plan was to develop one in Turkey together Without the Marie Curie Reintegration Grant, with graduate students at Bilkent University.” Ergin says, he would not be where he is today: “It was the seed that I needed to return home The change came easily for Ergin. “On the and establish a large research centre.” What’s other hand,” he says, “my kids, who were five more, he says, two other members of his re- and nine, did not speak much Turkish, but they search centre have also received Marie Curie learned quickly with the help of the interna- funding. tional school here at Bilkent University. My wife got a job as a teacher at the same school.” The end result is a new and thriving research centre and a novel medical technology that A striking career path could potentially improve the lives of people around the world. While Ergin was making strides in the US, he says, things were changing back home: Government spending on research in Turkey significantly increased and it was becoming Ergin Atalar easier to obtain funding. When I realised that I could establish a research group at Bilk- Age: 51 ent University, I resigned from Hopkins and Nationality: Turkish came back home. Fellowship dates: August 2004 – July 2006 Contract number: MIRG-CT-2004-506262 “We have received more than €8 million in Institution where Fellowship was carried out: research funding,” he boasts, “supporting Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey about 25 researchers at the centre. Research area: Biomedical engineering Contact: [email protected] From face to face 22 Ulrich Blum In a rarefied atmosphere

During his time as a Marie Curie Fellow at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), Ulrich Blum carried out basic research in atmospheric physics, concentrating in particular, he explains, on the temperature structure of the polar middle atmosphere. He also looked at related effects, such as waves and clouds, including polar stratospheric clouds and noctilucent clouds.

Atmospheric physics is a broad field of activity that encompasses the modelling of the Earth’s atmosphere, using fluid flow equations, chemical and wave propagation models as well as experimental techniques at the forefront of technological development. These in- clude light detection and ranging (LIDAR), radar and rockets.

“This research is important,” Ulrich asserts, “because knowledge of at- mospheric processes is essential to gaining a better understanding of the weather and climate that directly affect life on Earth.”

Ulrich says FFI’s atmospheric group is well known for excellent research in the polar middle atmosphere and has access to unique infrastruc- ture such as the lidars and radars of the Arctic Lidar Observatory (ALOMAR) on the Norwegian island of Andøya, north of the Arctic Cir- cle. “Fortunately,” he says, “I had the opportunity to carry out several measurement campaigns with the ALOMAR lidars during my research stay. In addition, the group at FFI is a European leader in rocket-based experiments.

Concentrate on your favourite research, establish an international network and develop your own outstanding research profile. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Climate Change 23

“When applying for a Marie Curie Fellowship, Bright outlook I expected to get the opportunity to carry out my favourite research in an inspiring setting “I think the Marie Curie programme is a with unique technical possibilities. These ex- very good way to fund researchers,” says pectations were indeed met.” Ulrich. “Like the CERN Fellowship or the Fellowship programmes of the German Going a different way Humboldt foundation, Marie Curie offers you a defined period of funding and a very Compared to his home country, Ulrich good travel stipend.” says working in Norway is more relaxed; while scientists in Germany tend to spend Aer his Fellowship, Ulrich went to work as an overwhelming part of the day on their a scientist at the Fraunhofer-Institut for research, in Norway they stick to the ‘clos- Technological Trend Analyses in Euskirchen, ing time’. Meetings are scheduled in such Germany. Since 2008, he has been working a way that everybody can participate dur- at the University of Bonn, leading laboratory ing regular working hours and people with courses for Bachelor’s and Master’s pro- children can easily combine family life with gramme students in physics and astronomy. their career. “Future Marie Curie Fellows should use the On the other hand, he says, finding money opportunity wisely,” he advises. “Concentrate for basic research is not as easy as in his on your favourite research, establish an in- home country. Group leaders spend quite a ternational network and develop your own lot of their working time applying for fund- outstanding research profile.” ing, which prevents them from actually do- ing their research.

On top of the professional and scientific rewards, Ulrich says moving to Norway was a very pleasant experience. “I got to know some very friendly and helpful peo- ple in my working environment, in my pri- Ulrich Blum vate life and even in the public administra- tion services. It was easy, not least due to Age: 38 the fact that almost everybody in Norway Nationality: German speaks English fluently and most people Fellowship dates: February 2005 – December also speak German. On the down side, this 2006 meant I never had to speak Norwegian – Contract number: MEIF-CT-2004-010333 not a situation conducive to learning a new Institution where Fellowship was carried out: language.” Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), Kjeller, Norway Research area: Atmospheric physics Contact: [email protected] From face to face 24 Zeev Bomzon Marie Curie Fellow sees optics everywhere In today’s world, optical components and systems are omnipresent; CD and DVD players are based on optics, as are computer screens and the fibre-optics used for communications. Marie Curie Fellow Zeev Bomzon says optical devices in life sciences and medicine provide new options for diagnostic tools and imaging.

“As a Marie Curie Fellow, I carried out research in the field of op- tics,” says Zeev Bomzon. “In particular, I focused on the use of op- tics to study biological problems. New optical technologies enable a better quality of life for all of us.”

Zeev says he knew that the Marie Curie Actions offered prestig- ious Fellowships and that his participation would provide him with some freedom to perform his own research. “The Fellowship more than exceeded my expectations. I received a good salary, which is unusual for young researchers and post-docs. I was able to direct my own research and the prestige of the Fellowship has been a door-opener since.”

“When applying for a Marie Curie Fellowship, I expected to get the opportunity to carry out my favourite research in an inspiring set- ting with unique technical possibilities. These expectations were indeed met.”

I was able to direct my own research and the prestige of the Fellowship has been a door-opener since. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health Ageing Population 25

Period of adaptation Zeev says the Marie Curie Fellowship has made a real difference in his life. “It was Moving to a new country, in Zeev’s case an eye-opener in terms of exposure to re- Australia, was not exactly easy. It took searchers around the world, enabling me him and his family a while to get used to to develop both personal and professional a new mentality and to develop a circle of contacts that I still maintain, and I am sure friends. “My children had to learn English,” that these kinds of connections ultimately he says, “which was not easy initially, and lead to the diffusion of information and my wife had a hard time adapting to life ideas from place to place.” away from her mother.” When his Fellowship ended, Zeev le ac- The culture shock lasted a few months, ademia and began working in the elec- during which Zeev says he felt a bit dis- tro-optical industry in Israel. Initially, he connected, but over time he and his worked as the manager of the physics and family adapted to life in Australia. “The algorithms group at a company called CI- kids began speaking mainly English, and Systems. “Today,” he says, “I am a senior eventually I felt right at home. My wife algorithms engineer at KLA-Tencor, the adapted too. leading manufacturer of inspection equip- ment for the semi-conductor industry.” “There were also some more technical is- sues, regarding taxes and benefits, which Zeev is another in a long line of former took a couple of months of negotiations Marie Curie Fellows whose lives have been and talks to resolve, but eventually I think changed forever by their experience. His we found a good agreement.” advice to future Fellows? “Always remem- ber that you have been given a unique op- Forever changed portunity. And have fun!”

Zeev, who runs marathons in his spare time, says he could have stayed in Aus- tralia, enjoying in particular the ‘laid-back’ lifestyle and the Australian love of sports. He was also exposed to some different at- Zeev Bomzon titudes on the professional side. “The main difference I found was that Australians are Age: 38 so much more relaxed. They work hard, but Nationality: Israeli the stress levels are much lower. Leisure Fellowship dates: May 2006 – August 2009 receives a lot more emphasis than it does Contract number: MOIF-CT-2005-021726 in Israel.” Institution where Fellowship was carried out: Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria, Australia Research area: Biophotonics and optics Contact: [email protected] From face to face 26 Michael Boutros Leading the way in cancer research

Researchers have demonstrated that dysregulated signalling processes in cells or between cells can cause severe diseases, such as cancer. With support from a Marie Curie Excellence Grant, a team of top-level scientists in Germany has taken us a step closer to understanding how cells communicate.

Each year, more than 12 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer. The disease poses enormous challenges to research, because every cancer is different and its course can vary im- mensely – from one patient to the next.

“Cellular signalling systems control many key decisions during tu- morigenesis,” explains Michael Boutros. “We are working on un- derstanding these key signalling processes that tell our cells, the building blocks of our bodies, whether to proliferate, differentiate or die.”

The aim, he says, is to comprehensively understand the regula- tory networks underlying communication routes in cells. “To dis- sect these networks, we use genomics – essentially querying every gene for its contribution to a particular process. This allows us to discover new factors and their interconnections, and how one can possibly interfere with misregulated signalling networks in diseases.”

The Marie Curie programme is an excellent opportunity to stimulate international mobility, in particular for junior researchers. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health 27

When opportunity knocks Excellence rewarded

Aer completing his postdoctoral research When the Marie Curie funding ran out, Mi- at Harvard Medical School, Michael says chael’s research team, now continuing its the Marie Curie Excellence Team Grant work under a European Research Council provided him the opportunity to gain early Advanced Grant, was made a full Depart- independence and attract talented collab- ment. Michael is now a Division Head at orators from all over Europe to work with the German Cancer Research Centre and a him at Heidelberg University’s German Professor at Heidelberg University. Cancer Research Centre. Asked what he would say to potential Ma- “As a Marie Curie Excellence Grant Team rie Curie Fellows, his message is simple: Leader, I was able to establish myself as “Science is an adventure. Embrace it!” an independent scientist and build an ac- tive research group in the area of genom- ics and systems biology,” he says.

Marie Curie Excellence Team Grants pro- vided support for research groups for up to four years and were aimed at encour- aging world-class researchers in key fields to resume or further develop their careers in Europe. The Team Leader – in this case Michael – selected the team members and applied jointly with the host institution.

“The Marie Curie programme is an excel- lent opportunity to stimulate international mobility,” Michael says, “in particular for junior researchers. It was certainly critical for my own career path; the Team Grant Michael Boutros allowed me to work as principal investiga- tor and raised the international profile of Age: 38 my research group.” Nationality: German Fellowship dates: August 2005 – July 2009 Contract number: MEXT-CT-2004-014310 Institution where Fellowship was carried out: German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg, Germany Research area: Genomics, systems biology, cancer research Contact: [email protected] From face to face 28 Alicia Boyano Larriba Energy conversion system analysis

For Alicia Boyano, a Marie Curie Fellowship at the Technische Universität Berlin was her passport back into academia and into a topic about which she is passionate. And by widening her network and working with prestigious scientists, her career has moved in exactly the direction she wanted.

It was a year of working in the private sector that spurred Alicia Boyano to apply for a Marie Curie Fellowship. She was keen to get back into academia as she missed gathering information about new technologies and developing new ideas.

The opportunity to move back to Germany, where she had previ- ously spent time as part of the EU’s Erasmus programme, and the thought of working on energy efficiency and renewable energy research were added motivations to apply for a Fellowship.

“The idea of moving abroad again for a longer period of time and the large network I was about to join, caught my attention,” she explains. “Germany is a country I like and I knew that the oppor- tunity to work in the reputed research group led by Professor G. Tsatsaronis at TU Berlin would be a turning point for my career path. I did my PhD in a different field so I had to work hard to catch up quickly.”

Although the application process to Marie Curie projects is time consuming, the experience is worth it! Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Energy Sustainable Consumption And Production 29

Cooperation across disciplines Although the topic is not exactly the same, Alicia’s current work at the JRC is closely Alicia’s work involved the environmental linked to the research she carried out as and economic analysis of an energy conver- part of her Marie Curie Fellowship, dur- sion system for producing hydrogen by re- ing which she developed and applied new forming steam methane. She worked with theories to evaluate energy conversion another Marie Curie Fellow who was looking systems. These evaluations used exergy- into the exegetic and economic evaluation based methods combined with economical of several combined power plants. and environmental assessment methods, which are similar methodologies to those “This type of exchange provides a broader she applies to her work at the European view of problems and allows you to look Commission today. for solutions following a holistic approach. In my field, both cross discipline coopera- “I highly recommend applying for a Marie tion among professionals and an interna- Curie Fellowship. Although the application tional atmosphere are crucial to success- process is time consuming, the experience fully achieving objectives.” is worth it! My Marie Curie Fellowship pro- vided me with personal skills that were An unrivalled boost not easy to develop in the research centre where I was a PhD student.” Following her Marie Curie Fellowship, Alicia went on to work at the European Commis- “Moving to a foreign country always takes sion’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). She is a bit of getting used to, for example when currently based in its Institute for Prospec- I moved I could hardly speak German. But tive Technological Studies (IPTS). I made some great friends during my time there. In a nutshell, my Marie Curie Fellow- “At the IPTS I am responsible for projects ship was a positive turning point for my that deal with sustainability in the con- personal life and my career!” struction sector. Sustainability is a new concept based on three pillars: economics, environmental science and social issues. The first two pillars are better developed Alicia Boyano Larriba than the third one and therefore most of the studies in this field are done just con- Age: 33 sidering the economic and environmental Nationality: Spanish aspects. So what I learnt in Berlin [on eco- Fellowship dates: June 2008 – December 2009 nomics and environmental analysis] has Contract number: MRTN-CT-2005-019296 been extremely useful.” Institution where Fellowship was carried out: Technische Universität Berlin, Germany Research area: Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technologies / Energy Contact: [email protected] From face to face 30 Michelangelo Campanella A launch pad for basic research into cell functioning Mitochondria are sometimes described as ‘cellular power plants’ because they generate most of the cell’s supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), used as a source of chemical energy. Basic research on these key cell components, like that carried out by Marie Curie Fellow Michelangelo Campanella, is fundamental to our understanding of the human genome, heredity and ageing.

“Mitochondria are equally important for both cell physiology and pathology,” says Michelangelo. “The goal of my research was and is to understand what regulates the interplay between energy and quality of life in mammals, and therefore I have focused my re- search on mitochondria.”

Michelangelo says the aim when he applied for a Marie Curie Fellowship was to complete his cultural and technical education as well as gain an international profile, and he wanted to experience a different working environment. His expectations, he says, were met.

Fairness and room to earn trust beyond personal sentiments was also something I genuinely appreciated. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health Ageing Population 31

Being the best Encouraging work

“I consider myself first a European citizen,” For the next generation of Marie Curie Fel- he affirms, “and so I had no objections to liv- lows, Michelangelo says he hopes the ex- ing and working in another EU country.” He perience will be the turning point for them chose England because of a long-standing that it was for him. He is continuing his re- interest in its culture and work attitude, search into mitochondria and more. which he calls “ordered but dynamic and intense”. “Aer completing my Fellowship, I re- mained here at the University of London “Not to mention the sense of humour,” he where I now hold a tenured academic posi- adds. “And football.” tion and am running a range of research programmes, guiding many talented Michelangelo says his Fellowship has made young scientists.” a real difference in his life: “The Marie Curie Programme teaches you to believe that you And he is truly thankful, he says, “to those can achieve your goals and be the best at who trusted the application of a young what you do, both in your work and in your Italian scientist some years ago”. personal life. It means international expe- rience, career advancement, and that first step towards independence, which is so im- portant for an ambitious scientist.”

Approach to work, professionalism of col- leagues, respect for the job of scientist; these are the things that stood out the most for Michelangelo during his Fellowship.

“Fairness and room to earn trust beyond personal sentiments was also something I genuinely appreciated,” he says. “Equally surprising and extremely educative was the Michelangelo Campanella sense of competitiveness. “I worked with great collaborators, irreplaceable mentors Age: 34 and made true friends, and, above all, I met Nationality: Italian the person who is now my wife!” Fellowship dates: November 2005 – October 2007 Contract number: MEIF-CT-2005-025447 Institution where Fellowship was carried out: University College London, United Kingdom Research area: Biology Contact: [email protected] From face to face 32 Roberta Carafa A real impact in the life of a young researcher Water is a precondition for human, animal and plant life, as well as an indispensable resource for the economy; and it plays a fundamental role in the climate-regulation cycle. Former Marie Curie Fellow Roberta Carafa is doing her part to make sure we understand and minimise the human impact on water resources.

The model Roberta developed as a Marie Curie Fellow at the URS Corporation in Barcelona is helping national and regional water agencies to design monitoring programmes for the control of chemical risk in river bodies, considering the links between pollut- ants and decreasing biodiversity.

“During my Fellowship,” says Roberta, “my main task was to de- velop a ‘Case-oriented Guidance Document’ to link chemical and ecological status in rivers while proposing methods for clarifying cause and effect relationships.”

“I had the opportunity to work with experts from all around Eu- rope,” she explains. “I was mentored by very competent supervi- sors and the working environment was relaxed and productive.”

I had the opportunity to work with experts from all around Europe. I was mentored by very competent supervisors and the working environment was relaxed and productive. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Climate Change 33

She says the Marie Curie Programme was Moving forward a great opportunity for her to develop her career, providing all the necessary support Since completing and publishing the re- – professional, high-level training, a travel sults of her Marie Curie project, Roberta allowance, a personal budget for career- has started a new research assignment advancement activities and for participa- at the Resource Centre for Environmen- tion in conferences and courses. tal Technologies (CRTE) in Luxembourg, a leading provider of support for eco-inno- Meeting of minds vation in both the private and public sec- tors, at national and international levels. Roberta had already worked in an interna- tional research centre – at the European She says upcoming Marie Curie Fellows Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Ispra, should aim to take maximum advantage of Italy – so she knew what it was like to func- an exciting and fruitful experience: “Always tion in a multicultural environment, but the appreciate the value of this opportunity. Marie Curie Fellowship provided her first op- Be very active, curious and positive. This portunity to actually move to a new country. is a concrete and stimulating programme that provides a unique opportunity for a “I managed to fit in right away, thanks es- safe professional and personal ‘jump’.” pecially to the support of my supervisors and colleagues,” she says. “I learned Span- ish quickly and within about two months I felt perfectly integrated in my new environ- ment, both professionally and from a per- sonal point of view.

“I spent two years in Barcelona, an amaz- ing, vital and dynamic city! I made new friends, visited wonderful sites and I can say that aer this experience I am more open-minded.” Roberta Carafa Roberta says the activities she participat- ed in, aside from her daily research – in- Age: 36 cluding training, networking, communica- Nationality: Italian tion and dissemination activities – made Fellowship dates: September 2008 – September life stressful at times, but in terms of her 2010 own career and personal development, the Contract number: MRTN-CT-2006-035695 Marie Curie Fellowship surpassed all ex- Institution where Fellowship was carried out: pectations: “I reached all the objectives of United Research Services (URS), Barcelona, Spain my project, in a very stimulating, interna- Research area: Biology (biodiversity-ecology) tional environment.” Contact: [email protected] From face to face 34 Tomasz Ciamulski Advancing computer modelling and personal ambitions

Personal and professional development happens when individuals leave their comfort zone. This was the case for Polish researcher Tomasz Ciamulski, who took off for a Marie Curie Fellowship in Sweden, and has never looked back.

When Tomasz applied for his Fellowship, he did not have any spe- cific expectations, but felt that he needed a change of pace. “I was doing very well in my job and in my research,” he explains. “But for several years, I had started to feel the need for a big change. I hoped to find new opportunities in both my professional and per- sonal life, and with the Marie Curie Fellowship, I certainly found this. The programme was a good starting point for many positive changes for me.”

He says the Marie Curie Programme was a great opportunity for him to develop his career, providing all the necessary support – professional, high-level training, a travel allowance, a personal budget for career-advancement activities and for participation in conferences and courses.

The Swedish experience

Tomasz spent 21 months in Sweden, working with a broad range of colleagues interested in the modelling of physical phenomena – electromagnetism – and their simulation on computers. This cut- ting-edge area of research gives scientists a greater insight into things humans cannot observe, and enables them to perform com-

Professional development should not be detached from personal development, such as improving communication skills, recognising strengths and identifying motivational factors. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Sustainable Consumption And Production Increase Of The Use Of Technology In Manufacturing Initiative 35 plex, computer-based experiments without practical and logistical issues of relocat- the need for expensive laboratory analysis. ing and integrating into an unfamiliar en- vironment. “This involved being exposed to “In particular, I worked with high frequency different cultures, foreign languages and applications in electronic technologies,” new outlooks on life,” he says. “Eventually, says Tomasz. “Our advances have extended I enjoyed the whole process, but not all the the geometrical limits of what is possible to intermediate steps were comfortable!” analyse and design.” Aer completing his Fellowship, Tomasz In addition to furthering his career, Tomasz worked on a research project in Norway, also greatly appreciated the multicultural and is now involved in founding start-up aspects of the Fellowship. “This was my companies based on different electron- first proper international experience, and I ics technologies. He organises the imple- feel that I discovered a new way of contrib- mentation of technology solutions partly uting to European society,” he says. “I also through international cooperation. developed a strong passion for experienc- ing life.” “I actively create cooperation between SMEs and corporations, universities and Challenge yourself research institutions,” he explains. “I find that new ideas emerge when you meet Indeed, Tomasz believes that for those with people who have experience in to- looking to simply advance their careers, a tally different areas. We begin by looking three to six month placement abroad would for small overlaps in our mutual interests, probably be enough to gather new skills, which then evolve into brainstorming on experience and contacts. Those who want problems and potential new solutions. The bigger challenges however should immerse idea is to implement these solutions to- themselves in another environment and gether in a complementary manner.” culture for much longer – at least for one year, but ideally for two years or more.

“A Marie Curie Fellowship can be a great catalyst for people,” says Tomasz. “For me, as a researcher concentrated strongly on Tomasz Ciamulski technologies rather than more social-type projects, there is some level of inherent so- Age: 37 cial detachment. But professional develop- Nationality: Polish ment should not be detached from personal Fellowship dates: March 2006 – December 2007 development, such as improving commu- Contract number: MTKD-CT-2004-509786 nication skills, recognising strengths and Institution where Fellowship was carried out: identifying motivational factors.” Mid Sweden University, Sweden Research area: Electronic engineering In addition to pushing himself profession- Contact: [email protected] ally, Tomasz also had to deal with the From face to face 36 Dennis Claessen The search for novel antibiotics The Marie Curie programme enables young scientists to pursue their research dreams in leading laboratories around the world. The time Dennis Claessen from the Netherlands spent at Oxford and Newcastle in the UK as a Marie Curie Fellow would transform his career, in more ways than he might have perhaps expected.

“When I applied for a Marie Curie Fellowship, I was unaware of the impact that the Fellowship would have on my career,” says Dennis Claessen. “Although the application and selection went smoothly, I only realised much later that it would be an important discrimi- nating factor from ‘regular’ postdocs without their own grant. The grant enabled me to follow my personal research interest and helped me to feel independent, one of the main goals of future academic leaders. But this is something I perhaps did not fully ap- preciate when I applied.”

Learning by doing

Dennis’ own research focuses on the bacterial cell wall, which is the outer shell that protects bacteria from damage. This makes it an attractive target for novel antibiotics that can help us fight against emerging pathogenic bacteria. During his time in the UK, Dennis worked with various Marie Curie Fellows, all of whom, he says, are now running their own labs. He believes that this clearly shows that the Fellowship tests researchers to the full, and that this is highly regarded by future employers, opening up new and unexpected op- portunities.

The experience of living and working abroad, and meeting many eager scientists, is of the utmost importance for your entire career. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health Public Health 37

Indeed, the experience gave Dennis far more Dennis also points out that the programme responsibility than he was expecting. “Dur- provides a unique opportunity to perform ing my Marie Curie Fellowship, the entire lab research driven primarily by scientific cu- moved from Oxford to Newcastle,” he ex- riosity. The challenging research climate at plains. “Obviously, some people complained the moment means that attracting funding about the disruption to their work. As one of for such research has become progressively the first people to move, I was confronted harder and harder. Researchers are also un- with the difficulties and problems of start- der greater pressure to show how their work ing a new lab. Although this was frustrating could be beneficial to society. “The Marie at some points, in retrospect it was of great Curie scheme is thus helping young scien- benefit when I moved to Leiden to start my tists to develop and perform innovative re- own research group!” search, which will be of great importance for their future careers,” he says. Long-term benefits Aer his Intra-European Fellowship, Dennis Dennis would strongly recommend all moved back to the Netherlands, where he young researchers keen on pursuing a ca- successfully applied for a Marie Curie Rein- reer in academia to apply for a Marie Curie tegration Grant, shortly followed by a ten- Fellowship. “The Marie Curie programme ure track assistant professorship. “I current- is an excellent platform that allows young ly hold that position at Leiden University,” scientists to follow their innovative re- says Dennis. “Both Marie Curie Grants have search ideas in leading labs in Europe,” he been of great help to obtain this prestigious says. “The experience of living and working position, which are few and far between.” abroad, and meeting many eager scientists, is of the utmost importance for your entire career. These colleagues will later be the ones who drive science forward, and could be your future referees or peers for paper and grant submissions!”

Dennis Claessen

Age: 34 Nationality: Dutch Fellowship dates: July 2006 – December 2007 Contract number: MEIF-CT-2005-022790 Institution where Fellowship was carried out: Oxford University/Newcastle University, United Kingdom Research area: Biology/Microbiology Contact: [email protected] From face to face 38 Love Dalén A bright future studying the past

A Marie Curie Fellowship is not just about focusing on a particular research project, but about developing new skills and competencies, says Swedish researcher Love Dalén. He spent two years in London researching ancient DNA and population genetics.

“My main expectation for the Marie Curie Fellowship was that it would enable me to work in an exciting research environment, and this expectation was certainly met. However, I didn’t really appreci- ate just how important the Marie Curie position would be for my future career,” explains Love.

“First, I acquired a number of important skills, including how to manage scientific projects, write grant applications and supervise students. Second, I learnt to develop a scientific network that has helped my career in a very positive way. Third, the Fellowship re- sulted in more than 10 papers in top-ranked scientific journals.

“All these things allowed me to reach a position of professional ma- turity in the field of ancient DNA and population genetics, and were instrumental in leading to the permanent research position I am holding now.”

The Marie Curie programme is focused on developing new competencies, with a view to supporting the Fellow’s career over the long term. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Conservation and Management of 39 Natural Resources

Making a difference and when and where local extinctions oc- curred. “This research is important since it “I suppose one important question is: what provides valuable information on how we differentiates the Marie Curie programme can expect future climate change to affect from other postdoctoral schemes? Well, different species,” he explains. one obvious answer is the high prestige that Marie Curie Fellowships are held in, which Aer Marie Curie, Love obtained a research means that having held such a position is fellowship from the Swedish Research regarded with considerable merit when Council, which led to a permanent research applying for grants and jobs. Another im- position at the Swedish Museum of Natural portant difference compared to other post- History. Together with Ian Barnes, who was doctoral grants is that instead of mainly the scientist in charge during his Marie Cu- focusing on a research project, the Marie rie Fellowship, Love also received funding Curie programme is focused on developing under the EU’s ERA-NET scheme. new competencies, with a view to support- ing the Fellow’s career over the long term.” “These two grants have enabled me to build a research group at the museum, which Love believes that this point is very signifi- currently consists of four PhD students and cant, and is reflected in the career paths a postdoctoral researcher,” he explains. “We of many former Fellows. In contrast, many continue to work with scientific questions young researchers think only about con- similar to those that I initially developed tinuing the work they did during their PhD, during the Marie Curie Fellowship.” rather than about how to obtain new skills.

Get the most out of it

“I think there are three important things to do during a Marie Curie Fellowship,” says Love. “First, aim to produce results that can be published in top-ranked scientific jour- nals. Second, make sure to learn additional skills. Third, take the opportunity to create an international scientific network by meet- Love Dalén ing and collaborating with other research- ers, because this will help you in the future Age: 36 to develop new ideas and projects.” Nationality: Swedish Fellowship dates: March 2007 – March 2009 Love’s research was, and still is, focused Contract number: MEIF-CT-2006-041545 on how species have responded to past Institution where Fellowship was carried out: changes in the environment. He analyses Royal Holloway University of London, United Kingdom DNA from sub-fossil bones and teeth up to Research area: Biology 50 000 years old, examining how popula- Contact: [email protected] tions have changed in size through time From face to face 40 Amit Deshpande Advancing treatment for prostate cancer The Marie Curie Fellowship that took Amit Deshpande from India to France enabled him to join an established research group seeking to advance treatment for prostate cancer. The experience also broadened his horizons, and gave him the confidence to launch his own research business.

Amit’s Marie Curie research focused on finding and developing drugs for the treatment of prostate cancer. As of 2011, prostate cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer and the sixth highest cause of cancer death in men worldwide.

Promoting discovery

“Drug discovery is about the relentless efforts of visionaries and experts in the field,” says Amit. “With this Fellowship, I was given the opportunity to work with leading experts in the field of prostate cancer and drug discovery.”

The Marie Curie Fellowship enabled Amit to work at the IGBMC in Strasbourg, France – a hub for work on identifying and validating novel targets for prostate cancer. There he contributed to assays to find small molecules that inhibit a particular gene.

The constant exchange of thoughts, ideas and viewpoints got me inspired. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health Ageing Population 41 Public Health

“Dr Bohdan Wasylyk’s Lab at the IGBMC to think big. “I was impressed by the Can- works on the identification and validation of cure Programme (a project funded by the novel targets of prostate cancers,” explains EU’s Sixth Framework Programme), which Amit. “One such gene was TTLL12, which has a vision to understand prostate can- was found to be over-expressed in prostate cer and eliminate it,” he continues. “A lot cancer progression and metastasis.” of groups participate and work on various aspects of this united vision. This enables Working in a lab like the IGBMC also gives experienced researchers to make a differ- researchers a realistic impression of what ence, and at the same time acts as a superb it is like to work at the cutting edge of drug incubator for budding scientists, like me, to discovery. “Drug discovery is a time-con- shape up.” suming process,” admits Amit. “To compen- sate for failures, it is very important to learn Aer completing his Fellowship, Amit es- from mistakes and to constantly search for tablished a contract research organisation new targets and molecules.” called Deshpande Laboratories (DL), and currently serves as the managing direc- Thinking big tor of the firm. DL is involved in develop- ing in vitro and in vivo assays to screen and Amit believes that the Marie Curie Fellow- evaluate anti-cancer drugs. “The scientific ship offers other long-term advantages to and networking skills I learned as a part of bright young researchers. “The constant the Marie Curie Fellowship are among the exchange of thoughts, ideas and view- indispensable key ingredients that helped points got me inspired,” he says. “Excellent me to become an entrepreneur,” says Amit. communication between various research “I look forward to actively participating and groups helps a lot, and makes research a collaborating with future Marie Curie pro- lot more interesting. The Marie Curie Pro- grammes.” gramme is making a huge difference in the way research is being conducted in the academic arena. Frustrations? For me there were none. This Fellowship was just perfect for me.” Amit Deshpande Amit says that while it was a little difficult to adjust in the beginning, the experience Age: 31 was still pleasurable. “From a scientist’s Nationality: Indian point of view, the experience is compara- Fellowship dates: January 2007– January 2010 ble to the difficulties and excitement faced Contract number: MEST-CT-2005-020970 when optimising a difficult experiment. I Institution where Fellowship was carried out: would say change is a good thing and one Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular should embrace it.” Biology (IGBMC), France Research area: Medicine (cancer research) The best part of this programme, according Contact: [email protected] to Amit, is that it gives you the opportunity From face to face 42 Stoycho Dimitrov Stoev Strengthening African – European research ties

Research on mycotoxic nephropathy, a disease affecting the kidneys, took Bulgarian professor Stoycho Stoev to South Africa. In addition to making some important findings, his experiences led to a deeper appreciation of how international research cooperation can advance scientific discovery.

Stoycho’s project addressed the cause of animal/human mycotoxic nephropathies – a kidney disease caused by fungi widely encoun- tered in Bulgaria and South Africa. “My initial intention was to visit South Africa in order to perform some target research, to establish the specific and unusual nature of animal/human nephropathy and to compare the situations in both South Africa and Bulgaria,” says Stoycho. “I chose South Africa as this is the country where all my- cotoxins suspected to cause this particular nephropathy (such as ochratoxin A and fumonisin B1) have been discovered.”

Exceeding expectations

Looking back, Stoycho says that the experience exceeded his wild- est expectations. Within the framework of his Fellowship, he discov- ered that Bulgarian nephropathy may have a multi-mycotoxic ori- gin, because it cannot be explained by a concentration of mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) alone. He went on to identify a possible syner- gistic effect between OTA and other mycotoxins, such as fumonisin B1, and Penicillic acid, which have been suspected of causing this nephropathy.

This Fellowship helped me to realise my scientific goals, and opened new career possibilities in terms of new collaborations. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health 43

The Fellowship also furthered his career in “These included meetings with the Di- other ways. “I met the researchers working rector and Deputy Directors of Strategic on some of the mycotoxins involved in this Partnership and International Resources nephropathy, and forged several scientific at the South African Department of Sci- partnerships with them. Also, I was invited to ence and Technology,” Stoycho continues. many international conferences or congress- “As a result of my work in South Africa, I es, and wrote some chapters for books and was also involved in supervising some lo- review papers in some reputable international cal PhD students as a co-supervisor, and journals.” participated in regular workshops, confer- ences and seminars on various subjects, Indeed, many articles concerning Stoycho’s which strengthened my research contacts research in South Africa also appeared in in South Africa.” the local press. And his work was highlighted on the European-South African Science and Stoycho is currently a Professor at the Fac- Technology Advancement Programme web- ulty of Veterinary Medicine in Trakia Uni- site, which aims to promote cutting-edge re- versity, Bulgaria. He is also currently coor- search in the country. dinating another Marie Curie project, this time involving several European, Asian and “This Fellowship helped me to realise my African countries. scientific goals, and opened new career pos- sibilities in terms of new collaborations,” ac- knowledges Stoycho. “For example, it helped me to receive a Professorship appointment at my own university.” Stoycho also feels that he was able to acquire a vast range of new skills in some cutting-edge areas, such as multi- mycotoxin extraction, fungal screening and identification using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis.

Promoting scientific cooperation

While Stoycho was in South Africa, he discov- Stoycho Dimitrov Stoev ered that he had received the country’s first Marie Curie Fellowship, and was therefore Age: 51 keen to promote the value of EU-South Afri- Nationality: Bulgarian can co-operation. As a consequence, he was Fellowship dates: January 2007 – January 2010 invited to open the Vet Africa 2007 Congress Contract number: MOIF-CT-2005-018674 by the Board of Trustees of Animal Aid for Af- Institution where Fellowship was carried out: rica, and gave lectures at a number of South University of Johannesburg, South Africa African universities and institutes. He was Research area: Veterinary medicine even invited by the South African government Contact: [email protected] to participate in several strategic meetings. From face to face 44 Dolores Domínguez García A positive impact on your future career

Dolores Dominguez Garcia spent her Marie Curie Fellowship in the Netherlands assessing the impact of dairy farming on her home region of Galicia in Spain. She was able to build up a network of useful contacts, and advises future Fellows to do the same – while keeping an eye open for future opportunities.

Perhaps surprisingly, the socio-economic and environmental impact of dairy farm activity in Galicia, Spain, was what took Dolores – known as Lola – to the Netherlands for a Marie Curie Fellowship. It was a wise move – Wageningen has an international reputation for food research, and while there she built up new knowledge on how various styles of dairy farming had differing impacts on the region. “My Marie Curie project was important as it showed the mutual relations between the socio-economic and environmental domains of farm practices,” says Lola. “By assessing the different farming styles, my Marie Curie project resulted in a practical approach to sustainability.”

A more rounded view

Lola believes that the Marie Curie programme can make a huge difference to the training of a young researcher. “It provides good socio-economic working conditions, and most importantly, enables knowledge exchange in different academic and non-academic en- vironments. Working within an interdisciplinary academic context has helped me to get a more global view of my research agenda,” she says.

European research projects are about getting to know different viewpoints. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Food Security Sustainable Consumption And Production 45 Conservation And Management Of Natural Resources

The Marie Curie programme has also pro- More recently, the focus of Lola’s research has vided Lola with a Europe-wide network of shied to governance and learning processes contacts, which increases the likelihood of as driving forces of territorial rural develop- working on new and exciting projects in the ment. “In the coming period, my ambition is future. She has also kept in touch with her to combine these two orientations and con- colleagues at her host institute. “European tinue working on – and benefitting from – an research projects are about getting to know interdisciplinary research approach. Recently I different viewpoints and benefitting from a formed a new partnership for a project under wide range of knowledge among European the [EU’s] Seventh Framework Programme colleagues,” she explains. that will start soon, and I have been invited to participate and contribute to the process Appreciating value of writing two other research proposals under the same programme.” Lola values her Marie Curie Fellowship, and fully supports the aim of creating a flexible Her advice to someone starting a Fellowship and adaptable European pool of research- would be to work hard, but also to keep an ers. However, she feels that appreciation and eye on the future. “It is very important to build understanding of the programme should be up a good network, and Marie Curie Fellows more widespread. should take advantage of the possibilities of living and working in different places. I could “My Marie Curie Fellowship was a fantastic have perhaps been more strategic, but I learnt and valuable experience for me and will be by doing!” valuable for any researcher,” she says. “How- ever, when I came back, my deepest worry came true; that my country of origin would not fully appreciate my experience and aca- demic network.”

Lola explains that a Marie Curie Fellowship takes you out of your context, which is added value for your academic training and personal experience. But this does not necessarily help Dolores Domínguez García you the moment you are back. “This is not to do with the Marie Curie Fellowship, but relates Age: 40 to the more general academic context and Nationality: Spanish the environment in my home region, Galicia,” Fellowship dates: October 2004 – October 2006 she explains. Contract number: MEIF-CT-2004-010680 Institution where Fellowship was carried out: Rural Sociology Group, Wageningen University, the Netherlands Research area: Agricultural economy Contact: [email protected] From face to face 46 Rui Pinto Guimarães Promoting international cooperation through medical innovations

Portuguese e-science expert Rui Pinto Guimaraes spent three years developing new innovative technologies for the medical profession at the IFF Fraunhofer in Germany. He found his Fellowship so fulfilling that he applied for a second, this time in Greece.

“My first application for a Marie Curie Fellowship came about through coincidence,” Rui explains. “My real interest was in the par- ticular research project on offer. However, I soon learnt how to take the best of what the Fellowship can provide, and things worked out, otherwise I would not have applied for a second one!”

During his first Fellowship at the Virtual Development and Training Center of the IFF Fraunhofer in Magdeburg, Germany, Rui helped to develop a new virtual surgery simulator for laparoscopy (keyhole surgery). “This will help to train better surgeons, as they will now be able to use simulation features not previously available,” he says. Rui’s second Fellowship, at the Institute for Language and Speech Processing in Athens, Greece (December 2009-November 2010) enabled him to add speech recognition technology to a soware tool that will help scientists develop new methods of magnetic res- onance scanning.

Science is not done by a single researcher. It is done by a community that needs to share and discuss its results. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health 47

Be prepared in e-science,” he says. “It became clear to me that new information technologies can pro- “There is no doubt the Marie Curie pro- vide answers that greatly facilitate research gramme can make a difference through the collaboration and management, but have not career opportunities and support it offers,” yet made themselves heard. Science is not says Rui. “It offers the possibility of interna- done by a single researcher. It is done by a tional experience and networking opportu- community that needs to share and discuss nities that would be difficult to achieve by its results.” any other means.” Rui is now a specialist in e-Science at the Fac- Rui also points out that moving to work in ulty of Engineering at the University of Porto, another country can be complicated, and Fel- and is currently developing tools that will al- lows should go prepared. The first thing a Fel- low research units to collaborate with other low should do, he says, is to fully understand organisations – and help them to disseminate the rules and the spirit of the Fellowship. the results of their work more effectively. His work is an interesting mix of two disciplines: “The first frustration, which I think is com- informatics and medicine. mon to many Fellows, is understanding the rules of the grant,” says Rui. “Understand- “It is my belief that much can still be done to ing what will be taxed, understanding which improve how scientists work together with categories of the grant the Fellow should be new information technologies,” he says. “I in control of and so forth.” he says. “It is my hope soon it will be clear how these new tools belief though that these problems can be will benefit the scientific community.” sorted out with the right political will of the participating countries.”

Rui also suggests that Fellows should con- tact previous Fellowship holders to hear about their experiences. “They will be able to tell you how to get the most out of the Fellowship, and tell you about common pit- falls,” he says. “One way to contact previous Rui Pinto Guimarães Fellows is to join the Marie Curie Fellows As- sociation, which is made up exclusively of Age: 33 Marie Curie Fellows with no attachment to Nationality: Portuguese the official organisation.” Contract number: MEST-CT-2005-020722 Fellowship dates: July 2006 – July 2009 Better networking Institution where Fellowship was carried out: Fraunhofer IFF, Magdeburg, Germany and Institute The emphasis of the Marie Curie Fellowship for Language on research collaboration made Rui much Research area: Medical informatics more aware of this topic and its associated Contact: [email protected] problems. “These experiences led me to work From face to face 48 José A. Iglesias Guitián Visualising the future – multi-resolution models for medical diagnosis

“Hey, this is exactly what I’m looking for,” was José Iglesias’ first thought when he found out – by chance – about the Marie Curie programme. It clearly suits him, as in the space of a few years he has gone from being a Marie Curie Fellow himself to hosting a Fellow within his research group.

Originally from Spain, José moved to Italy in 2007 to begin research in computer graphics and scientific visualisation. When his Fellow- ship came to an end, he was able to continue working in the same research group.

The group’s expertise is in developing powerful interactive tools for the scientific visualisation of huge, digital models, and José person- ally focuses on the visualisation of three-dimensional data com- ing from medical devices such CT or MRI scans. These visualisation tools have a wide range of applications, from industrial design to medicine and natural sciences.

From supernova explosion to medical diagnosis

“Researchers, medical doctors and engineers frequently need to explore and manipulate huge models in real-time to, for example,

I went on multiple trips around Europe and realised that I wanted to live more of it. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health Ageing Population 49 study a complex natural phenomenon more The experience provided a “magnificent and closely or make an accurate medical diag- definitive impulse” to his research career. It nosis. Here is where our research comes enabled him to work in the private sector – into play,” says José. within a computer graphics group – that is advancing the state of the art, attend interna- His job is to develop new, efficient data struc- tional workshops and conferences, and create tures and advanced rendering techniques an international network; and all while receiv- that make it possible to deal with models ing a competitive salary under good contract of potentially unlimited size. “Our research conditions. results enable, for example, visualisation in real-time, with a single PC, of an animated He sees the Fellowship as an opportunity to simulation data set from a supernova explo- kick-start a research career – not only for sion; the same techniques could be applied those that wish to stay in academia, but also in medicine for a time-varying data set of a for those wishing to move into industry. beating heart,” says José. “As you can imag- ine, the possibilities and applications of our José has no regrets about accepting the Ma- techniques are various and enormous.” rie Curie Fellowship, but it was not an easy decision to “abandon my life at the time for José is also working on a new kind of 3D- a new adventure in a different and unknown display, enabling someone to see many place”. While he is still far from his nearest more views of a particular scene without and dearest, he says that he has made won- wearing glasses. “Roughly speaking, it looks derful new friends and is considering oppor- like a gigantic, coloured hologram. In our tunities for further international experience prototype, objects appear to float in space before returning to his native Spain. and the main advantage with respect to previous existing technologies is that you get a very good perception of the object’s depth without image flickering or poor col- our intensity,” he says. José A. Iglesias Guitián More Europe Age: 31 It was a desire for international experience Nationality: Spanish that led José to submit an application for a Fellowship dates: May 2007 – May 2010 Marie Curie Fellowship. “I went on multiple Contract number: MRTN-CT-2006-035763 trips around Europe and realised that I want- Institution where Fellowship was carried out: ed to live more of it. I wanted to learn new CRS4 – Centre for Advanced Studies, Research and languages, be in contact with different cul- Development in Sardinia, Italy tures, have a wider overview of Europe and Research area: Computer graphics get international experience in research.” He Contact: www.linkedin.com/pub/jos%C3%A9-a- says that the programme went well beyond iglesias/2/35/433 fulfilling these expectations. Group website: http://vic.crs4.it/vic From face to face 50 Marian-Daniel Iordache Kick-starting your career abroad

The Marie Curie Fellowship is not only about broadening research horizons – it is also about broadening the mind. Romanian geoscientist Marian-Daniel Iordache found that working in a multicultural environment far from home provided the perfect start to his research career, and stimulated his personal development too.

“The opportunity to work on European projects of a high standard is a huge advantage – and challenge – for a young researcher,” says Daniel. “You feel a kind of pleasant responsibility, which gives you the certainty that your work is important. You have the chance to meet people placed at the highest level in your research area, and learn many things from their experience.”

Opportunity knocks

These experiences can provide the vital kick-start to an ambitious researcher’s career. During his Fellowship, Daniel worked with hy- perspectral sensing, which involves looking at objects using a por- tion of the electromagnetic spectrum. This research has a variety of potential applications, such as vegetation monitoring, mineral mapping, fire detection and contamination monitoring.

“The Fellow has the opportunity to establish his own professional network, and being a Marie Curie Fellow is proof of professional quality,” Daniel continues. “The courses I followed in 2008 and 2009 were adapted to my research needs, which helped me to achieve my PhD degree aer the end of the fellowship. My co-supervisors, Professor Jose Bioucas-Dias and Professor Antonio Plaza, strongly supported me.”

The opportunity to work on European projects of a high standard is a huge advantage – and challenge – for a young researcher. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Climate Change Conservation And Management Of Natural Resources 51 Increase Of The Use Of Technology In Manufacturing Initiative

In Daniel’s case, the Marie Curie Fellowship Daniel points out that the programme is also helped him not only to find a job aer his about life experiences, and has helped him to PhD studies, but also to achieve wider rec- develop a truly European outlook. “The Marie ognition. Daniel won the ‘Romanian Student Curie Fellowship, by definition, places you in a of the Year 2011’ award, presented by the multicultural environment, and this was also League of Romanian Students Abroad. one of my reasons for going. The most dif- ficult part was the distance to my family, but I Taking the plunge visited them every time I had the chance, and kept in touch with friends back in Romania. Daniel would have no hesitation in recom- mending the Fellowship to other up-and- “But one of the things I liked most is to meet coming researchers. “I would advise them to people and to learn and discover new things take advantage of all the great opportunities about cultures different from mine. I made offered by such a programme,” he says. “It is great friends in Portugal and Spain, which is a great chance to attend a range of events, important when you are far away from your courses, trainings, summer schools, work- home. I oen miss them, and I always look shops and conferences, meet people at the forward to any occasion where I might see highest level in your research area, and all of them again.” these will contribute to their personal evolu- tion. I expected to evolve considerably both as a researcher and as a person. These expecta- tions were fully met and I can say that the Marie Curie experience even exceeded them.”

Daniel’s current research is very much a con- tinuation of the work he pursued during his Marie Curie Fellowship. Since February 2012, he has been working on a postdoctoral pro- gramme at the Flemish Institute for Techno- logical Research (VITO) in Mol, Belgium. This Marian-Daniel Iordache is part of a collaboration agreement between VITO and Spain’s University of Extremadura Age: 29 (UNEX). “I have a two-year contract with VITO, Nationality: Romanian but I will spend a part of the time at UNEX,” Fellowship dates: February 2008 – January 2011 he explains. Contract number: MRTN-CT-2006-035927 Institution where Fellowship was carried out: Instituto Superior Tecnico (IST), Technical University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal (February 2008 – July 2009) and University of Extremadura (UNEX), Cáceres, Spain (August 2009 – January 2011) Research area: Earth science (Geoscience) Contact: [email protected] From face to face 52 Olivier Joly Rewarding work in primate brain science for French researcher

Establishing himself as a primate brain specialist was what Olivier Joly envisaged for himself following his Marie Curie Fellowship. But fate had more in store for him, for it was also in the lab that he met a fellow PhD student who would later become his wife.

Coming from a background in computer science and physics, Olivier was ready for a new challenge and delved head-on into the depths of neuroanatomy when he began his Fellowship. He started to study brain functions, investigating how non-human primate brains pro- cess sensory information, namely visual and auditory signals.

Knowledge of the brain regions involved in sensory processing is crucial to understanding human cognition. As the visual system is very similar among primates, an insight into the brain networks engaged in visual processing in non-human primates is extremely helpful in understanding the role of the different brain regions in humans.

“Our senses are like interfaces with the real world and therefore the main source of knowledge about the surrounding environment. I focus on the mapping of cortical activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which is a non-invasive technique com- monly used in humans,” explains Olivier.

During my Marie Curie Fellowship I met many people from different nationalities and several colleagues also became good friends. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health 53

Challenges and rewards the career of a young researcher, is surely an important aspect to his/her future success. It For the first half of his Marie Curie Fellow- was also while I was in the lab that I met a ship, Olivier studied the processing of bin- Hungarian PhD student who became my wife ocular vision. By fusing information from last year!” both eyes, the primate brain is able to improve perception of the 3-dimensional Aer his Marie Curie Fellowship, Olivier re- (3D) shape of objects. During the second turned to his native France, taking up a post- half, he studied the brain regions involved doctoral position at NeuroSpin near Paris, in the auditory processing of vocalisations. where he worked in primate brain imaging. This last part of the work was particularly Today, Olivier is based at the Auditory Lab at challenging but its success was incredibly the Institute of Neuroscience (IoN) in Newcas- rewarding. tle-upon-Tyne in the United Kingdom and he also runs a business in 3D printing of objects “The Marie Curie Host Fellowship for Early modelled from medical imaging. Stage Researchers is extremely successful from my point of view. Young Fellows are “My recent work is more closely related to selected to enrol in a PhD programme in the processing of sounds and rhythmic pat- the best European laboratories. The qual- terns. I hope these investigations will help us ity of the PhD training is critical as it is the to better understand the human evolution of main opportunity to acquire research meth- music.” ods – crucial considering researchers must update their knowledge all the time,” says Olivier. “This programme gives Fellows the opportunity to visit different labs and learn from internationally renowned experts.”

Researcher mobility – a life-chang- ing experience!

Olivier reports that although he sometimes found the pace of the research work too slow Olivier Joly and that he and his PhD advisor disagreed about things from time to time, these difficul- Age: 31 ties were always ironed out in the interest of Nationality: French the scientific work they were conducting. Fellowship dates: October 2005 – September 2008 “Although it was obviously difficult to leave Contract number: MEST-CT-2004-007825 France and be far from family and friends for Institution where Fellowship was carried out: many years, during my Marie Curie Fellowship Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Belgium I met many people from different nationali- Research area: Neuroscience ties and several colleagues also became good Contact: [email protected] friends. This experience abroad, so early in From face to face 54 Vaios Karanikas Travelling the world doing the research he loves

Understanding the immune response to tumours and using this knowledge to design drugs that will benefit cancer patients is the ultimate objective for Vaios Karanikas. Two Marie Curie grants have helped him to travel the world doing it.

Following a PhD on models of auto-immune disease – to which the role of T-cells was central – Vaios Karanikas made his first ma- jor breakthrough while working as a post-doctorate scientist at the Austin Research Institute in Australia. He then set his sights on Europe and moved to the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Brussels to carry out his second post-doctorate, where he stayed for five years, before heading back down under to set up a small group of scientists to investigate the effects of vaccination on can- cer patients.

But Europe called once more when he was awarded a Marie Curie International Incoming Grant to work at the University of Thessaly, allowing him to get back in touch with his Greek roots. Vaios also went on to receive another Marie Curie grant.

I believe that when you know what you want to do, if you try hard enough you’ll succeed. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health 55

Hellenic adventure Now his research career has brought him to Switzerland, where since September 2011 he “I like building things and going to Greece has been working as a Biomarker Experimen- was a fresh challenge,” he explains. “But I tal Medicine Leader at the pharmaceutical believe that when you know what you want company Roche in Zurich. Here he is able to to do, if you try hard enough you’ll succeed. put all the knowledge he has gathered over the last 20 years into practice. “I was invited to give talks at every uni- versity in Greece, and the Fellowships cer- Vaios still maintains his position as a Profes- tainly advanced my connections in Europe. sor at the University of Thessaly as an affiliate Connections with other research institutes from a distance, and he supervises his PhD helped me maintain collaborations with students on a voluntary basis. “Now I tell my other researchers,” he says. own students that if they want to travel the world, extend scientific connections and build Vaios mentions that although there were lasting friendships they too should apply to some administrative problems surrounding the Marie Curie programme!” the implementation of his first Fellowship when he arrived in Greece, by the time he got his second grant these kinds of prob- lems had been ironed out.

“The Marie Curie programme is a high- profile Fellowship that helps you establish yourself as part of an institution,” he says. “I would have liked it to have been a bit longer though as two years proved to be quite short in the end. Nevertheless I was able to complement my Marie Curie funding with national grants, which were easier to obtain with the Marie Curie prestige on my CV.” Vaios Karanikas A globetrotter at heart Age: 44 “For me, travelling and living in different places Nationality: Greek-Australian is incredibly important and I have a wife and Fellowship dates: International Incoming Grant: two children who have followed me around December 2005 – November 2007 the world throughout all these moves,” says Contract number: MIIF-CT-2005-021795 Vaios. “For them it has been an incredible ex- Institution where Fellowship was carried out: perience as well, my children have had an in- University of Thessaly, Faculty of Medicine, ternational experience they just wouldn’t have Department of Immunology, Greece had if we still lived in Australia. We’ve lived in Research area: Cancer immunology four countries in the last 14 years.” Contact: [email protected] From face to face 56 Dorota Kostrz An international experience like no other

The development of high-yield, over-expression systems and protein engineering of several copper-containing proteins were the central thrust of Dorota Kostrz’ Marie Curie research. The results were used in preliminary experiments for application in biosensors. The goal, for Dorota and other members of the EdRox Marie Curie Network, was to develop an optical biosensor that employs the FluoRox concept.

“By using the FluoRox concept, it is possible to monitor the redox state of metalloproteins via fluorescence resonance energy trans- fer between a covalently attached fluorescent dye and protein’s re- dox active centre,” explains Dorota. “Applying this approach in opti- cal biosensors allows detection levels that are orders of magnitude lower than those provided by conventional electrochemical meth- ods. These can be used in medical and environmental monitoring.”

It is a really demanding job and it requires constant focus and attention to detail, as well as the ability to come up with new ideas and think outside the box. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Conservation and Management of Natural Resources 57

A collaborative approach Overcoming research lethargy

“I believe that the Marie Curie programme is “It is a really demanding job and it requires one of the best-designed programmes for constant focus and attention to detail, as well young researchers,” says Dorota. as the ability to come up with new ideas and think outside the box, so at some point you “As well as being a great opportunity to do become tired and pessimistic about your work at the highest level in well-established work,” says Dorota. “Luckily having a good laboratories, the programme also empha- PhD supervisor and friendly relations within sises the importance of collaborative work the group helped me to see the light at the and intense knowledge exchange. Network end of the tunnel whenever I was in a rut.” partners look at the main research target from different angles, for example from a Dorota feels that living abroad and working biochemical or a biophysical approach.” in a multinational team is an unrivalled ex- perience, as well as one that gives research- Dorota took part in EdRox network meet- ers’ career prospects a boost. “It was a real ings twice a year and says that these were a pleasure to meet and work with people from great opportunity to get to know each other all around the world and to interact with them and discuss progress. She also had the op- not only on a scientific level but also on a portunity to spend six months at network personal level,” reflects Dorota. “We have re- partners’ institutes, where she received ex- mained good friends and have kept in contact tensive theoretical and hands-on training. even though the network has finished. Last, This was coupled with several training ses- but not least, my language skills have truly sions outside the network, which helped her benefited from this international experience.” to get her PhD off the ground. Dorota is still in Newcastle and is now writ- However, Dorota does note that the three- ing up her PhD thesis. She hopes to continue year nature of the Fellowship makes it dif- working in the field in the future. ficult to carry out high quality research and take advantage of all the training oppor- tunities on offer. “As I tried to benefit from all the training opportunities available to Dorota Kostrz me, this led to a significant overrun in the time I had to complete my thesis, and some Age: 28 universities, like mine, do not provide ad- Nationality: Polish ditional financial support for people in this Fellowship dates: October 2007 – October 2010 situation.” Contract number: MRTN-CT-2006-035649 Institution where Fellowship was carried out: University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom Research area: Biochemistry Contact: [email protected] From face to face 58 Chandrashekhar Vishwanath Kulkarni Working at the cutting edge of European chemical biology

Indian researcher Chandrashekhar Vishwanath Kulkarni had high expectations when he began his three-year Fellowship at Imperial College London. He is happy to report that these were met, and that he has since worked at some of Europe’s most prestigious research institutes.

“Some of the main expectations I had from the Marie Curie Fellow- ship were that I would be able to pursue a PhD at a top level univer- sity and, if possible, on a cutting edge research subject with a well- known and established research group,” explains Chandrashekhar. “I am happy to say that all of these expectations were met.”

Chandrashekhar adds that other aspects of the Fellowship – the issue of financing and funding for example – were also dealt with well. “I was expecting to be able to use the Fellowship to attend conferences and meet people working in advanced scientific re- search all across Europe,” he says.

“This was possible thanks to the availability of adequate funding and opportunities, some of which were created or partnered by Marie- Curie Actions.” For example, the Fellowship enabled Chandrashekhar to attend the Nobel-Laureate Conference in Lindau, Germany, and a conference in Switzerland specifically based on his research area.

Try to make most of your Fellowship; believe me it’s worth it! Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health 59

Opening doors countries – makes it unusual, says Chan- drashekhar. Chandrashekhar’s research addresses the use of physical principles to understand The Fellowship also prepares researchers biological structures and phenomena. for unforeseen difficulties. “At the end of “To better understand such complex pro- my second PhD year, my research group cesses, it is essential to start with less com- experienced technical difficulties with all plicated model systems,” he explains. “My our instruments, and I was worried wheth- work is mainly focused on model lipid mem- er I would be able to finish my PhD in three branes based on planar to intricate geom- years or not. But it turned out well, in the etries, whose structural hierarchy ranges sense that I diverted my attention towards from nano- to millimetre-length scales. I other techniques, which were crucial for study their self-assembling (formation), getting the results in the end.” phase behaviour and interaction with bio- molecules. Following his Fellowship, Chandrashekhar carried out his first postdoc work with a “I believe my work is important as it pro- research group at the University of Graz in vides insights into mimic bio-membranes Austria – one of the pioneers in X-ray diffrac- and related phenomena, while also helping tion studies. In early 2011, he moved to the to develop nano / bio materials for biotech- University of Bayreuth in Germany to work nological and biomedical applications.” on experimental biophysics, and has been at the University of Cambridge since January Preparation for the future 2012. “Try to make most of your Fellowship; believe me it’s worth it,” he says. Chandrashekhar believes that the Marie Curie programme provides researchers with everything they will need at various stages of their careers. “The programme covers different technical and economic aspects, in general,” he says. “The collab- orative nature of the projects automati- Chandrashekhar cally induces mobility, thereby offering Vishwanath Kulkarni international exposure.” Age: 33 Furthermore, without national barriers, Nationality: Indian the Fellowship is an excellent way of at- Fellowship dates: February 2005 –February tracting young talent from Asian coun- 2008 tries and giving them a once in a lifetime Contract number: MEST-CT-2004-504014 opportunity to experience advanced Eu- Institution where Fellowship was carried out: ropean research. The fact that the Marie Imperial College London, United Kingdom Curie programme allows non-European Research area: Chemical Biology students to join its actions – and this is Contact: [email protected] not limited to just one or two European From face to face 60 Nikolaos Laoutaris A “pure gold” opportunity that changed the course of his career

Nikolaos Laoutaris always thought he would return to his native Greece for a career in academia, but his Marie Curie research experience set his life on another course altogether!

Nikolaos’ Marie Curie research enabled him to look into technology that can monitor how people consume information on the Internet so that specific content can be pushed towards users automatically. “This is called intelligent content distribution,” he explains.

“As the network started to evolve from being simply a communi- cations medium to a medium for distributing content, I began to study mechanisms to make content distribution more intelligent by essentially letting the content automatically get closer to the us- ers that would consume it. The aim is to let the content track the demand,” continues Nikolaos. “Think of it as a kind of ‘tug of war’, where different user populations pull the rope in order to have the content hosted closer to them.”

Nikolaos’ Marie Curie Outgoing International Fellowship took him to Boston University for a year and saw him complete a six-month reintegration phase at the University of Athens. But it wasn’t long before he returned to the United States, working on a follow-up post-doctorate at Harvard University aer his Fellowship.

The Marie Curie Programme totally changed my perspective on everything. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Sustainable Consumption And Production 61

“I wanted to stay in Boston because I had research and more opportunities were avail- started several research collaborations re- able to me.” lated to the Fellowship as well as others that went beyond that,” explains Nikolaos. Nikolaos’ only complaint relates to several “My research collaborations were peaking bureaucratic and administrative complica- in number, intensity, and quality. Seemingly tions surrounding the draing of his contract diverse in the beginning, it all started com- with his managing institution, which meant he ing together like a jigsaw puzzle as time wasn’t paid for several months. However, he went on. It was like a great conversation praises the huge effort made by all the staff that everyone was drawing inspiration and involved to solve the problem. ideas from.” Nikolaos believes that if it was not for his Fel- Although he had imagined himself re- lowship he would not be where he is today. turning to academia in Greece, Nikolaos’ career took an unexpected turn when he “For me, the Marie Curie Fellowship totally was then offered a permanent position in changed my career. I wanted to get a glimpse a new industrial research lab set up by the of what research was like outside my home telecommunications company Telefonica country where I had done all my studies. I got in Barcelona. that and so much more!

Into the business world “It is the biggest opportunity I have been giv- en in my professional career so far and here I “I continue my research in my current job am, seven years later and still abroad and do- where I focus on more applied research and ing research for one of the biggest telecom- products,” he says. munications companies in the world!”

“I had spent my entire career in universities so coming to a company exposed me to a whole new universe: from operations peo- ple that do the actual installation of ADSL lines or cell towers to strategy and regula- tion groups that look at the big picture of Nikolaos Laoutaris the Internet. Suddenly I was in contact with real problems. I was exposed to the busi- Age: 36 ness of running a network.” Nationality: Greek Fellowship dates: May 2005 – October 2006 Life changing Contract number: MOIF-CT-2004-007230 Institution where Fellowship was carried out: “The Marie Curie programme was a wonder- Boston University, USA (outgoing host) and ful opportunity and I am deeply grateful for University of Athens, Greece (return host) it,” says Nikolaos. “It totally changed my per- Research area: Computer Science – Networks spective on everything. I met amazing people, Contact: [email protected] and gained a different mentality about doing From face to face 62 Piet Lens An “enriching experience” for the triple Marie-Curie recipient

Aer receiving not one, not two, but three Marie Curie grants, Piet Lens is well placed to reflect on how the programme can make a difference, both professionally and personally.

Aer training in environmental sanitation, and obtaining his PhD in environmental engineering from Ghent University in 1993, Piet Lens le his native Belgium to work in Ireland. This was thanks to support from his first of three EU-funded boosts: a post-doctoral position in a Research Training Network (RTN).

“Upon finishing my PhD, I could choose between the EU-funded Post- doc and a job in a Belgian company. I decided to take the post-doc position because I wanted a job where I could do high-level research, with a grant that fully supports this and even covers the salary and research costs,” says Piet. “Also, I thought that moving around as a young researcher would be a great way to broaden my horizons and move forward in my career.”

Aer his time in Ireland, in 1996 Piet took up his second post-doctoral position, this time with support from a Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship (IEF). This funded his work on Nuclear Magnetic Reso- nance imaging of transport processes in biofilms. Upon completion of this Marie Curie IEF, Piet worked as an Assistant Professor, and later as an Associate Professor at Wageningen University.

I think the Marie Curie programme really implements well the EU value of appreciating other cultures and breaking down barriers between different Member States. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Public Health Conservation And Management Of Natural Resources 63

Fusing cultures and forging research from the molecular scale in the friendships laboratory to the full scale on site at com- panies. Our research showed that heavy “I would urge everyone to apply for a Ma- metals can be removed most effectively by rie Curie fellowship as wherever you go and bioprecipitation.” whatever you do aerwards you’ll be richer for having carried out research under the Ma- The Marie Curie Excellence Grant also fos- rie Curie umbrella,” reflects Piet. “By moving tered Piet’s next career step: a nomination to another country to carry out research you as a full professor at the UNESCO Institute are forced to move out of your comfort zone of Hydraulic Engineering. Today, Piet contin- and while this can be difficult in the beginning, ues to work on removing heavy metals from you soon get used to it and learn how differ- wastewater with more and more emphasis ent academic and professional cultures work.” on their recovery to address metal scarcity. “Now I am building on the work carried out Piet also believes that Marie Curie Actions can as part of my Marie Curie Excellence Grant profoundly affect not just your professional by expanding the research to biosorption career but your personal life too: “They can and phytoremediation, while continuing change the whole trajectory of your life. I met work on bioprecipitation and bioreduction at my wife in the Netherlands, for example, and the same time. This way we are developing I am still here! I think the Marie Curie pro- both industrial recovery processes and low- gramme really implements well the EU value tech environmental protection technologies of appreciating other cultures and breaking for low-income countries.” down barriers between different Member States. This is something to be applauded and supported.”

Consolidating career and research lines

Seven years aer finishing his Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship, Piet was back Piet Lens under the “Marie Curie umbrella” once again, this time heading his own team of PhD and Age: 46 post-doc researchers with the help of a Ma- Nationality: Belgian rie Curie Excellence Grant (EXT). Fellowship dates: January 2004 – December 2008 Contract number: MEXT-CT-2004-509567 “We investigated heavy metal transport and Institution where Fellowship was carried out: binding in biofilms and soils – the aim was Wageningen University/UNESCO Institute of to remove heavy metals from groundwater Hydraulic Engineering, the Netherlands and wastewater,” explains Piet. “We looked Research area: Environment – Environmental at different heavy metal removal processes Engineering altogether, mainly bioprecipitation and bi- Contact: [email protected]; [email protected] oreduction. The EXT grant allowed us to do From face to face 64 Narcisa Martínez Quiles Signal transduction pathways of eukaryotic cells

Narcisa Martínez Quiles always wanted to set up her own independent research group and it was thanks in part to her Marie Curie International Reintegration Grant (IRG) that she was able to make it happen when she returned to Spain aer seven years working at a prestigious Children’s Hospital in the United States.

“I worked for five years as part of my post-doctorate and two more as an ‘Instructor’ at the Children’s Hospital Boston, a major paedi- atric teaching hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School,” says Narcisa.

Aer completing her post-doctoral research, Narcisa was able to re- turn to Spain and set up her own research group at the University Complutense of Madrid aer being awarded a prestigious five-year ‘Ramón y Cajal’ position funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education. It was then that she applied for a Marie Curie grant.

“Thanks to this financial support and the prestige of the Marie Curie IRG, I was able to follow my own lines of research,” she says.

Narcisa is studying the signal transduction pathways of eukaryotic cells, and how they are linked to the regulation of the cytoskeleton (this is the structure which shapes the cell and mediates several of its essential functions, like movement and division) during cell motil- ity. Her research group’s focus is on cortactin regulation and how this

When I obtained the Marie Curie IRG, I initiated a completely new line of research. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health Public Health 65 protein interacts with downstream signal Narcisa is clearly very positive about the ex- transduction pathways under physiological perience, but she does have one suggestion and disease conditions. Despite its impor- for improvement: “Whilst it might be a detail tance in numerous cellular processes, many and not so relevant now, looking back I did basic aspects of cortactin regulation remain find it quite frustrating to have a ‘scientist’ a mystery to scientists. in charge of supervising my grant. I would suggest changing the terminology and no Published results longer referring to grant recipients as ‘Fel- lows’ as oen they have the experience to “When I obtained the Marie Curie IRG, I initiat- be Principal Investigators (PI) themselves. If ed a completely new line of research to study the director of a department holds the ul- the infection model of Enteropathogenic Es- timate responsibility for the management cherichia coli, which adheres to cells by form- of the grant, that makes us as ‘Fellows’, in ing actin pedestals,” explains Narcisa. “So far some cases, less free to act with total scien- this research has led to one publication, with tific and economic independence. In my case two other papers forthcoming. I was also able when I received the IRG grant I think I was to reanalyse unpublished experiments from mature enough to act as a PI and to manage my PhD studies about the role of the Major it in a responsible way. I think it should be the Histocompatibility Comples on Human Immu- university or the institution who acts as the nodeficiency Virus (HIV) vertical transmission. ‘supervisor’.” Then as corresponding author, I prepared a manuscript that was ultimately published in the journal Current HIV Research in 2009.”

Support that leads places

“I think the economic support available to Marie Curie IRG recipients is enough to fund the first two years of a modest research pro- ject. I’d advise Spanish researchers in par- ticular to use at least part of this funding to pay for a technician or a pre-doctoral fellow Narcisa Martínez Quiles as obtaining funds for research personnel in Spain is very difficult for junior Principal In- Age: 45 vestigators.” Nationality: Spanish Fellowship dates: January 2006 – December 2007 It was her grants and publications com- Contract number: MIRG-CT-2006-028995 bined that helped Narcisa obtain a per- Institution where Fellowship was carried out: manent position as a professor at the Uni- University Complutense of Madrid, Spain versity Complutense of Madrid, where she Research area: Molecular biology (Signal continues to work. transduction) Contact: [email protected] From face to face 66 John McKean Looking to the skies! John McKean’s passion for astronomy was a natural progression from his lifelong interest in maths and physics. And once he had got a taste for it, there was no stopping him; today he is at the forefront of European research on galaxy formation.

Studying the structure of galaxies and how they evolve over cosmic time is the focus of John’s research. He looks at the specific proper- ties of galaxies predicted using models of galaxy formation and tries to observe these properties using a special technique called gravita- tional lensing – the deflection of light from a distant galaxy by a more massive foreground galaxy.

“This type of research is important because it tests the basic princi- ples of how we believe our Universe formed and helps explain why we are here today,” John explains.

Aer a stint as a post-doc researcher in the United States, John was accepted into the Marie Curie Research Training Network ANGLES, where he worked at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Germany.

Being part of the Marie Curie Network helped me get to where I am today thanks to the connections I established. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Increase Of The Use Of Technology In Manufacturing Initiative 67

Astronomy generation At the forefront of radio astronomy research John cites the mix of young and more ex- perienced researchers as a very positive as- Aer his Fellowship, John took up a fixed pect of the network, and he believes it was term research position at the Netherlands instrumental in kick-starting many people’s Institute for Radio Astronomy and is opti- careers. John praises the extra funding for mistic about his future in the field. He says travel offered by the Marie Curie programme, he would relish the chance to work on the describing it as “crucial for giving researchers new Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope, the freedom to go to international meetings soon to be the world’s largest radio tele- without having to seek the funds from within scope. Both South Africa and Australia are their host institute”. bidding to host the SKA, and a decision from the international astronomy community on “Being part of the Marie Curie Network helped which country will host the telescope is ex- me get to where I am today thanks to the pected soon. connections I established,” says John. “We are an entire generation of astronomy research- “Regardless of whether it will be hosted in ers really. We all keep in touch by e-mail and South Africa or Australia, it’s going to require support each other in our work, even if we a lot of expertise and experience to realise don’t oen work on the same projects. the full potential of the SKA – European scientists will play a leading role in defin- “The only criticism I have of the programme ing the telescope’s science programme and is that due to local tax laws, some people got exploiting its capabilities to the very limit,” paid more than others for doing the same says John. “Radio Astronomy has a great his- work,” John continues. “I’d also have liked it tory in Europe, so Europe will definitely be at if my Fellowship could have lasted for three the forefront of SKA research for decades to years instead of two, as although my host in- come.” stitute extended my contract for a third year, I no longer had the same benefits as I did un- der Marie Curie.”

John says that although it can be difficult to John McKean settle into a new country, especially when friends come and go quickly, this is balanced Age: 34 out by having friends in lots of different plac- Nationality: British es and having the opportunity to travel. Fellowship dates: October 2005 – December 2007 Contract number: MRTN-CT-2004-505183 Institution where Fellowship was carried out: Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfR), Bonn, Germany Research area: Astronomy Contact: [email protected] From face to face 68 Roman Nevshupa A unique opportunity to carry out multidisciplinary research

Roman Nevshupa’s Marie Curie research resulted in a new technique for characterising the gas content in materials. But this was just the start, and several innovative products using this technology have recently been patented. This is an achievement to be proud of for the Russian materials scientist now living and working in Spain.

In a multidisciplinary area such as materials science, the opportuni- ty to work with experts in different areas – surface science, vacuum science and surface chemistry to name but a few – can really add value to the research experience. This was what winning the Marie Curie Fellowship meant for Roman Nevshupa.

His research focuses on the multidisciplinary phenomenon of Me- chanically Stimulated Gas Emission from materials and coatings. This phenomenon occurs when a minute amount of gas is dis- charged from materials under applied mechanical stress, deforma- tion or rubbing.

“We found that the gas emission is very sensitive to the initial stag- es of material damage like plastic deformation or fracture. It can be said that a material sends an alarm signal in the form of the gas emission when it is damaged,” explains Roman. “Learning this ‘language’ allows us to detect the failures of mechanical elements of space and vacuum systems at a very early stage, thus preventing significant economic and environmental consequences.”

Contact the Marie Curie Fellows association and you will find advice and help. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Increase Of The Use Of Technology In Manufacturing Initiative 69

Roman also emphasises that by tailoring Overcoming administrative hassles the emission response of materials to me- chanical deformation, new ‘intelligent’ and “Unfortunately there were some administra- self-healing materials and coatings can be tive conflicts between the rules of the pro- developed for tribological applications. Tri- gramme and the rules established at my bology involves the study of mechanisms host Institute,” explains Roman. “That was of friction, lubrication, and wear of surfaces really surprising to me as I expected much interacting while in relative motion. more uniformity in terms of the financial, ac- counting and tax rules within the EU. In ad- Career catalyst dition for the first three months I had serious and time consuming problems with the ad- “The Marie Curie programme gave me an op- ministrative procedures involved in obtaining portunity to develop both personally and pro- residence permission in Spain. fessionally, and to obtain new skills and ex- pertise,” reflects Roman. “The Fellowship also “I’d say to other Marie Curie Fellows who helped me improve my self confidence and might be experiencing administrative prob- my flexibility – both essential qualities when lems in their host country, don’t give up. working in a group.” You are not alone. Contact the Marie Curie Fellows association and you will find advice The Fellowship was also an important cata- and help.” lyst for his career. Aer completing his Fel- lowship, Roman received another Marie Curie grant to return to his university in Moscow, the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. The results he obtained during his Fellowship formed the basis for his Habilitation thesis, and he was awarded a top faculty position.

Roman worked at the university for two years before he was invited to return to Spain to the Tekniker Research Foundation to continue sci- entific and technological development in the Roman Nevshupa vacuum tribology field. In 2010 he obtained a ‘Ramón y Cajal’ position funded by the Span- Age: 41 ish Ministry of Science and Education at the Nationality: Russian Spanish National Research Council, where he Fellowship dates: June 2006 – May 2008 continues to build on the research he carried Contract number: MIIF-CT-2005-022067 out as part of his Marie Curie Fellowship. Institution where Fellowship was carried out: Institute of Material Science of Madrid (ICMM-CSIC), Spain Research area: Material Science Contact: [email protected] From face to face 70 Dorota Roberts Flexibility and adaptation, the way to success

Marie Curie Fellows bring high expectations and enthusiasm to their respective academic projects, but they also have lives to live. Dorota Roberts wanted to be a wife and mother as well as a full-time research scientist. Her Fellowship allowed her to do that and she is now on her way to a promising professional career.

“I study the behaviour of proteins in aqueous solutions,” Dorota ex- plains. “It’s an exciting research area because our bodies are built of proteins; they are in our food and medicines, and their interactions can prevent diseases.

“When I became a Marie Curie Fellow, my objective was to obtain a PhD and become a valuable researcher for industry employers. But it wasn’t a straightforward affair,” she says.

My advice to future Marie Curie Fellows? Make the most of your Marie Curie programme! Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health 71

Surmountable obstacles It can happen

One year into the PhD project, Dorota and her Dorota says her expectations have been husband became parents. “But being a mum achieved. “I have my PhD and I learned how is not necessarily a convenient thing for a to lead projects. The Marie Curie programme woman engineer and scientist, because there allowed me to do research and study in are unwritten rules for women working in re- another country, to understand how things search and academia – there is no room or work there and then take the best of these time for a baby in your life.” practices into my own future efforts.”

When she returned from maternity leave, She finds one of the most important aspects Dorota found some of her collaborators less of the Marie Curie Actions, compared to a than cooperative. “There is unfortunately still ‘standard’ PhD programme, to be generous some old-fashioned thinking in the academic funding, “which enabled me to attend inter- world,” she says. She discussed these matters national conferences and workshops. This with her project leader and was encouraged helped me to develop a network with other to continue her Marie Curie Fellowship under young researchers in my field. another supervisor for the remaining two years of the project. “My advice to future Marie Curie Fellows? Make the most of your Marie Curie pro- Dorota restarted work towards her PhD, tak- gramme! Make contacts in academia or in- ing an entirely new research approach. dustry, either in your host country or in other countries. Build a network of professional “I had always been more interested in dy- contacts that will be useful to you in the fu- namics, movement and fluid changes in time ture. And enjoy yourself!” – that is what we call ‘rheology’. In my new research area I was more focused on ‘ther- modynamics’.

“This was a challenge to me as I had to learn completely new subjects. I organised my time effectively and kept a rigorous timetable, Dorota Roberts combining work and family duties. My new supervisor gave me a lot of support and op- Age: 34 portunities to develop my career.” Nationality: Polish Fellowship dates: October 2006 – August 2010 Contract number: MEST-CT-2005-020826 Institution where Fellowship was carried out: University of Manchester, United Kingdom Research area: Biochemical engineering, biotechnology Contact: [email protected] From face to face 72 Manel Rodriguez Ripoll Flying high in materials science When sending in his application for a Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher Fellowship, Manel Rodriguez Ripoll’s overarching aspiration was to carry out research at a top European institution. But he was equally eager to return to Germany where he had previously lived and improve his German language skills.

Tungsten is a material well known for its superb high temperature properties. It is used in the lighting industry for bulb filaments, and features prominently in many EU-funded Euratom Fusion Energy Programme projects. Manel’s research concerned the mechanical characterisation and the numerical simulation of the drawing pro- cess of tungsten wires.

“During the drawing process, tungsten wires fail by a mechanism known as wire splitting,” he explains. “With my research, I was able to gain a deeper insight into this mechanism that is also common to many other metals.”

High standards

“The scientific level of the Marie Curie Network was very high,” reflects Manel. “Every participant was led by world-recognised professors. It was very instructive to meet them regularly at network meetings and to learn from their experience during secondments.”

My host institution was exemplary and every single detail was fulfilled according to the regulations. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Energy Increase Of The Use Of Technology In Manufacturing Initiative 73

Manel believes the Marie Curie grant money until the end of his PhD. He subsequently is well invested since in most cases relation- went on to join another Marie Curie Network ships established during the network last in Slovenia, this time as an Experienced Re- long aer the programme has finished. “I searcher. It was thanks to these contacts was able to establish contact and collabo- and the knowledge he acquired as part of rate with top researchers across Europe,” he his Marie Curie experiences that Manel took says. “These fruitful collaborations continue up his current position as a Pool Leader at today and serve as an excellent network of an Austrian research company in the field of key researchers in several countries. Many of Tribology, the study of the effects of friction the contacts I made during that time, includ- on moving machine parts and of methods, ing some Fellow colleagues, have obtained such as lubrication, of doing away with them. important positions at universities, research He says his employers were impressed by his centres and in industry worldwide.” broad international experience, and that this has helped him garner more and more re- Adapting to new environments sponsibility.

Manel admits that although moving abroad Manel stresses how important the oppor- as a researcher is incredibly beneficial, it can tunities available to Fellows outside their put a strain on your relationships with loved research work are when it comes to career ones back home: “The negative part about enhancement. These include language, pro- the Fellowship was that I could only see my ject management and presentations skills wife Tina, my girlfriend at that time, sporadi- courses. These are incredibly advantageous cally as she was studying in Ljubljana during for future career opportunities aer the my Fellowship. On the other hand, I immedi- Network. ately started getting to know new people in my new host country. I was also very lucky “I strongly believe that the Marie Curie pro- as my host institution had a large and mul- gramme is an essential instrument for the ticultural group of young researchers so this cohesion of European researchers and insti- made integrating much easier. tutions,” says Manel.

“I am aware of Fellow colleagues who had problems with taxation and allowances but personally I never experienced any problems Manel Rodriguez Ripoll like that,” says Manel. “My host institution was exemplary and every single detail was Age: 34 fulfilled according to the regulations. Every- Nationality: Spanish thing went smoothly.” Fellowship dates: August 2004 – July 2007 Contract number: MRTN-CT-2003-504634 Brighter futures Institution where Fellowship was carried out: Fraunhofer Gesellscha, Germany Aer finishing his Fellowship as an Early Research area: Materials Science Stage Researcher, Manel was offered a po- Contact: [email protected] sition to stay on at Fraunhofer Gesellscha From face to face 74 Vinothkumar Kutti Ragunath Enzymes under the microscope

Vinothkumar dreamed of establishing his own research programme when he applied for a Marie Curie Fellowship. This dream came true, and today Vinothkumar continues his research on intramembrane proteases in Cambridge, UK. These enzymes are implicated in a wide variety of diseases, including in Alzheimer’s, in cholesterol metabolism, and in the development of certain viruses.

By understanding how a certain family of proteins – intramembrane proteases – work, Vinothkumar is tackling a fundamental biologi- cal problem – how peptide bonds (the chemical bonds that make a protein) are cleaved with the addition of water in a hydrophobic environment. His major focus at present is a subfamily of intram- embrane proteases called rhomboids. Intramembrane proteases are implicated in a variety of diseases, including the onset of Alzheimer’s.

Residing in the membrane, these proteases cleave a substrate pro- tein, which when released leads to a cell signalling event that can affect the same or neighbouring cells. By selectively inhibiting these proteases, one can prevent the signalling process and thereby the biological function. “We are still learning what these proteases do in the cell and how they work, but there is a growing interest in design- ing novel drugs and initial results are promising,” says Vinothkumar.

I wouldn’t have got the exposure in India that I get in Europe. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health Public Health, Ageing Population 75

A made-to-measure research A career boost programme Vinothkumar believes that the prestige at- It was the opportunity to pursue this very tached to the Fellowship is well appreci- specific research area that led Vinothkumar ated by his peers. “And it does boost my to apply for a Marie Curie Fellowship. “Usu- CV.” For anyone considering applying, he ally when you apply for a post-doc position, suggests that the Fellowship “provides an you join a project that is already ongoing. With illuminating path for a future career in sci- the Fellowship, I was able to establish my own ence. Marie Curie is one of the few scien- research programme, semi-independently. I tists to have received a Nobel Prize in two have had tremendous support from my men- different fields; to get a fellowship with her tors Drs Richard Henderson and Matthew name is prestigious.” Freeman, who not only sponsored my fellow- ship, but have also been instrumental in me Does Vinothkumar have any plans to return developing into an independent scientist.” to India? Not in the near future. He feels very comfortable in Europe and denies ever hav- It was the opportunity to delve deeper into ing experienced a culture shock. “Frankfurt membrane proteins – combined with a desire is a very cosmopolitan city and there, like in to raise his profile – that first brought Vinoth- England, it’s possible to do the same things kumar to Europe. “I come from a small town as I would do in India.” in southern India, and although science is de- veloping quickly there, I wouldn’t have got the Europe is also the place to be for profession- exposure in India that I get in Europe.” al reasons. While his research continues to go well, he is also applying for group leader This exposure enabled him to secure a posi- positions. Ultimately, “this area of research is tion as an Investigator Scientist at the MRC easier to follow in Europe, and I will be very Laboratory of Molecular Biology, where he glad if my research could provide some ben- continues his research today. The results are efits to humanity.” promising and there is a lot of interest in his work. All in all, it is a very exciting time to be involved in this field, he admits. Vinothkumar Kutti Ragunath

Age: 35 Nationality: Indian Fellowship dates: April 2007-February 2009 Contract number: MEIF-CT-2006-039639 Institution where Fellowship was carried out: MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom Research area: Life Sciences Contact: [email protected] From face to face 76 Hakan Serhad Soyhan Taking fuel combustion experts to Turkey

Everyone is familiar with the need to slash carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles – it is one of the 21st century’s key challenges. Hakan Serhad Soyhan is making his own, significant contribution to emissions research by investigating the effects of combustion chamber deposits (CCD) that build up on the combustion chamber of an engine.

“In general, the lower the surface temperature, the greater the growth of combustion chamber deposits,” says Hakan. He explains that these deposits can change the thermal environment of the engine and effect auto-ignition, thereby impacting combustion effi- ciency. The project carried out under the auspices of the Marie Curie Fellowship allowed Hakan to study this process, and he believes the knowledge gained will help scientists dramatically reduce carbon dioxide (CO ) emissions caused by transportation. 2

What does industry want?

In addition to these technical advances, Hakan’s project was also aimed at transferring knowledge between universities and an indus- trial partner, namely Shell. “As an academic, it was a great experience to hear industry’s expectations and try to meet them,” he comments. It was also good to be in such an industrial working environment. “With the help of the Marie Curie programme, I had a chance to work in an international group, containing Fellows from all over Europe, to learn about their individual experiences in my area and also to get to know their cultures,” says Hakan. “In return, these experiences broadened my

It was good to be in such an industrial working environment. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Energy Sustainable Consumption And Production 77 European Green Cars Initiative mind and my career and I was chosen as an Sharing life and science advisor for many international projects aer my return.” Aer his Fellowship, Hakan returned to his home country.” He began working as an International conference assistant professor at the University of Sa- karya, where he currently has a permanent The international experiences gained during position as an associate professor and his and aer the Fellowship have clearly been own research group. He recently sent one of major importance to the Turkish scien- of his PhD students to Lund University, tist. Hakan explains how he invited many Sweden, to carry out research on chemical of the Fellows he met during the Marie mechanisms governing exhaust emissions Curie programme to Istanbul and started from cars for one year. “So the Marie Cu- organising a regular international confer- rie chain still continues,” he says happily, ence on fuels and combustion in engines exalting future programme Fellows “to be (FCE) in 2008. collective not only on sharing knowledge, but also on learning about other lifestyles “We organised the third FCE conference in and cultures”. January 2012 and invited scientists from across the European Union, for example the Netherlands, Greece, and the UK, to share with us their experiences and knowl- edge,” says the scientist. “We also had in- dustrial visitors from leading petrochemi- cal companies such as Shell and Tupras, and various car manufacturers’ research and development centres, notably Renault, Otokar and Fiat,” says Hakan. “So our net- working started by the Marie Curie pro- gramme is now extending to new networks consisting of scientists and researchers working in industry,” he says proudly.

Hakan Serhad Soyhan

Age: 41 Nationality: Turkish Fellowship dates: February 2007 – October 2007 Contract number: MTKI-CT-2004-509777 Institution where Fellowship was carried out: Shell Research Centre, United Kingdom Research area: Mechanical engineering Contact: www.hsoyhan.sakarya.edu.tr From face to face 78 Claudia Custodia Delgado Simão Organic materials for electronic circuits

Greening Europe’s industry to meet current and future environmental and industrial challenges is at the forefront of the European Commission’s political agenda. Claudia Custodia Delgado Simão is hoping to contribute by leading efforts to move electrical companies towards more environmentally friendly means of production with her research into new lightweight, organic materials.

“My research focused on designing and synthesising novel organic materials and their application as molecular wires and switches in electronic circuits,” explains Claudia. “Molecular electronics is an exciting field that is seeking not only more powerful but also more efficient electronics.”

Claudia describes how scientists in this field want to find the best ways to “substitute expensive materials such as silicon and copper in the electronics industry with lightweight, cheap, low power con- sumption organic materials”. According to the young scientist, the use of these materials, for example in circuits, wires and transis- tors, should encourage the move towards a more environmentally friendly industry.

Overwhelmed by the possibilities

Claudia is clearly passionate about her subject and says she was simply “excited about the chance to continue working as a chem- ist in materials science” when she was initially awarded the Marie Curie Fellowship. And as time went by, she was “overwhelmed” by the opportunities offered by the programme.

The Marie Curie scheme is a synonym of a career by itself. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Energy Sustainable Consumption And Production 79

“The network that you are brought into is Unsurprisingly, given the richness of her so extensive and robust, that you feel ex- experiences, she would advise anyone tremely supported and feel that you can – wanting to continue their scientific stud- and should – do your best.” Indeed, Claudia ies to apply for a Marie Curie Fellowship, believes that the scheme is “more than a touting it as “a turning point in your life – Fellowship – it is known around the world for the better”. Aer finishing the scheme, and accepted as one of the best Fellow- she was awarded a post-doctorate posi- ships available. It is a synonym of a career tion “almost immediately” at the Institut by itself.” Catala de Nanotecnologia. She admits, “I did not even manage to have a holiday, Creating jobs but it was an exciting job and I did not want to miss the opportunity. I felt it was For Claudia, “one of the most important the right next step.” and subtle characteristics of a Marie Curie Fellowship is the support that this network brings to former Fellows”. She appreciates the availability of grants to help reinte- grate former Fellows, either in their own country – or elsewhere if they prefer. She believes that this level of concern for the scientists’ futures will have a significant impact on stopping brain drain from poor- er to more affluent countries. Claudia adds that this extra financial backing will also “help create more jobs” – an important is- sue in the current economic downturn in which unemployment across the EU, espe- cially among young people, is growing at an alarming rate.

The young scientist had already worked Claudia Custodia abroad prior to gaining the Fellowship, Delgado Simão spending one year as an undergraduate student in a company in Ghent, Belgium, Age: 29 as part of her Masters of Science (MSc) de- Nationality: Portuguese gree. “When you have to go abroad, it will Fellowship dates: January 2007 – January 2010 always have an impact on your personal Contract number: MEST-CT-2005-020992 life, but the first impact is readily substi- Institution where Fellowship was carried out: tuted by the rewarding experience of living Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona outside your country,” she insists. (ICMAB-CSIC), Spain Research area: Nanotechnology Contact: http://claudiasimao.org/ From face to face 80 Nicole F. Steinmetz Building virus scaffolds and cross- culture bridges Viral nanotechnology sounds both exciting and intriguing. For Nicole Steinmetz, it is like building structures out of Lego. The German scientist is thankful to her international experience for enabling her to follow her dreams and keep on building.

Viruses are oen used in materials science as scaffolds. Nicole ex- plains that her research involves “performing chemistry using a vi- ral protein scaffold”. This means “establishing various principles to chemically modify plant viral nanoparticles with molecules called chemical modifiers, which are used in electrochemical sensing [the extraction of information by measuring an electronic parameter] and data storage drives”. She also uses them as “building blocks – like plastic Lego bricks – to assemble higher order structures”.

Nicole is confident that nanotechnology has the potential to take virus technology into an entirely new direction and make possible a wide range of applications, including electronics, far beyond the traditional areas of biology and medicine.

Personal and professional gain

Carrying out her studies under the aegis of the Marie Curie Fel- lowship allowed Nicole to have “a terrific time working on a fan- tastic project with a great team of advisors”. Indeed, she singles out two of her mentors – Professors Evans and Lomonossoff for

The world is small in the scientific world.... like under the microscope. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health 81 a special “thank you”! She says that she Medical applications met many friends and collaborators dur- ing the programme and emphasises the At Case Western she is “leading a research importance of being able to travel both laboratory focused on the research and for personal and professional gain. “In the development of viral nanoparticles as boundary-free environment of modern sci- tools for applications in medicine”. Her cur- ence, where diverse scientific fields merge rent projects focus on cancer imaging and and new ones are born, interdisciplinary therapy as well as cardiovascular disease. and international training is an essential She says that her vision is to “drive this requirement for a young scientist and a technology toward potential clinical ap- critical skill set for effective collaboration,” plications”. she comments. For Nicole, this research is particularly ex- Nicole insists that she is not looking at the citing as it is not where she expected to Fellowship through rose-tinted glasses, end up. “I did not start out in nanotech- admitting that “of course, it is not always nology or nanomedicine, but in the field easy being away from family and friends”. of molecular biotechnology, specifically But she talks happily about how she has in molecular farming using plant viruses,” “made so many new friends, who are now she explains. “During my undergraduate all over the world” and how they all remain studies, I attended a lecture on the use in close contact via internet platforms, of plant viruses in molecular biotechnol- conferences, invited seminars, and re- ogy and I have been fascinated with plant search visits. “The world is small in the sci- viruses ever since. I have always been in- entific world.... like under the microscope,” trigued by nature and how nature orches- she says. trates complex processes. Using nature, or more specifically plant viruses, for applica- The Marie Curie scheme allowed Nicole tions in pharmaceuticals, other medicines to follow her dreams. Aer finishing her or materials is an exciting field.” Marie Curie Fellowship at the John Innes Centre in the UK, she was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship at the Scripps Re- search Institute in the US. Then in 2010, Nicole launched her “independent career” Nicole F Steinmetz as professor in biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University, a lead- Age: 32 ing American college. Nationality: German Fellowship dates: October 2004 – September 2007 Contract number: MEST-CT-2004-504273 Institution where Fellowship was carried out: John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom Research area: Nanobiotechnology Contact: [email protected] From face to face 82 Irina Ivanova Stoyanova On a mission to help treat neurodegenerative diseases

Work hard, believe in yourself and the Marie Curie Fellowship will make your dreams come true, promises Bulgarian scientist Irina Stoyanova. For her, the scheme furthered research into new therapeutic approaches to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

The behaviour of neurons in the brain cortex or in cell cultures was the focus of Irina’s Fellowship. “This has clinical relevance because neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s lead to deteriorated cognitive abilities, which have been related to im- paired neuronal network connectivity and activity,” explains Irina. Her findings could lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches to these disorders and others such as epilepsy and strokes, says Irina.

Dynamic international experiences

According to Irina, the Marie Curie Fellowship was everything that she hoped for. “It gave me the opportunity to put my ideas, knowl- edge, and skills into practice, and to perform high level research,” she says. “The programme is based on the principle of mobility and research training, and offers intensive and dynamic interna- tional experiences, opportunities to exchange knowledge, develop your career and expand your professional network.”

Success is the result of persistence, not simply talent, of steadfast belief, not merely brains or brawn. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Ageing Population Public Health 83

Irina split her Fellowship between two dif- Dream big ferent institutions, spending one year at the University of Trakia in her home coun- Irina is obviously delighted with the outcome try of Bulgaria, before transferring to the of her Fellowship, and believes that anyone University of Twente in the Netherlands. who is tempted by the scheme should go Her research there has been so successful ahead and apply. “Remember that success that the University of Twente extended her is the result of persistence, not simply tal- contract until December 2013. ent, of steadfast belief, not merely brains or brawn,” she insists. Irina encourages her “Trakia was an official partner in the Neu- fellow scientists to dream, and more impor- roVers-IT Marie Curie project, the main tantly to “dream big”, adding that if they do goal of which was to make a proper con- this and “they are also hard-working, a Ma- nection between artificial devices, like rie Curie Fellowship will make your dreams prosthetic limbs, and the peripheral nerv- come true”. ous system aer injuries or amputations,” explains Irina. “When the project started I Irina had dreamed since childhood about be- was an associate professor in the depart- coming a doctor. “I have always been eager ment of anatomy, histology, embryology to explore things, to understand how they and our aim was to create an interface be- work. I found the human body fascinating, tween cultured cortical neurons and elec- and I found most fascinating the nervous tronic devices.” It was during the project system – how it is organised, the reasons that she came up with “a new idea on how why it sometimes malfunctions and how we to tackle a specific scientific problem: how can change that.” But as she has come to to communicate with a larger number of realise, medical research is much more than neurons for a longer period of time. How- second best. “I wanted to be able to help oth- ever, there was no appropriate equipment er people, but I realised that as a researcher for performing this kind of research in Tra- and university teacher my contribution could kia, and in January 2008 I was recruited be even bigger [than that of a medical doc- by a team at the University of Twente.” tor]. My work is like a mission for me”.

As well as the professional advantages of- fered by the scheme, Irina also highlights the huge personal benefits. “I made many Irina Ivanova Stoyanova new friends,” she recalls, and experienced no real problems during to the Fellowship. Age: 53 “On the contrary, I received a lot of under- Nationality: Bulgarian standing and support.” Fellowship dates: January 2008 – July 2009 Contract number: MRTN-CT-2005-019247 Institutions where Fellowship was carried out: University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands Research area: Neurobiology Contact: [email protected] From face to face 84 Lena Svensson Understanding immune cells through international collaboration

Lena’s research is quite literally a matter of life and death. Supporting her quest to find answers on immune cells, a Marie Curie Fellowship enabled her to work with leading names in her field. In addition to valuable knowledge, the time in London also instilled in Lena the confidence to set up her own research group.

“My research was, and still is, to understand the mechanisms be- hind how immune cells migrate,” says Lena. “For a functional im- mune system, the white blood cells need to be able to migrate upon a cue from infectious intruders and defeat these,” she adds. If this does not happen, “we will be ill and in the worst case sce- nario, it can lead to death.”

Like a dream come true

“I have always been fascinated by how things work and in particu- lar by our bodies work,” says the Swedish researcher. “To be able to combine cell biology with fun technical devices like microscopes and therefore see how things work in real time is like a dream come true for me.” She adds, “The immune system is complex and a fast-moving field and takes part in most of the body’s functions and diseases. This complexity is what attracted me in the first place to this field.”

To combine cell biology with fun technical devices like microscopes, and in real time see how things work, is like a dream come true. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health 85

Lena wanted a Marie Curie Fellowship so as Lena is now an associate professor at Lund to progress and mature as an independent University, Sweden, where she has run her scientist and gain further knowledge in the own independent research group since late field of immunology and in particular cell 2010. “I hope to be able to figure out more migration. She also hoped to meet other about what goes wrong with the body’s scientists in the field and build up a net- mechanism when cells migrate uncontrolled work for future collaborations. “All of these like metastases, and use different imaging expectations were exceeded,” she says. techniques to be able to show this in real time,” she says. The scientist hopes to build a Gaining international perspectives life-long career in the field of cell migration and immunology. “Hopefully one day I will Lena pinpoints the programme’s capacity to have a permanent position, which will enable “enable us young scientists to gain research me to focus on research but still be able to experience in another country and therefore teach undergraduate students.” let us gain international perspectives and mature as a scientist” as one of its most val- uable aspects. And she credits the scheme for allowing her to become an independent scientist with the opportunity and creden- tials to start her own research group.

Lena found that the Fellowship provided her with an independent standing in the lab that allowed her to follow her specific research interest, meanwhile equipping her with new knowledge that she could transfer to her home country. She also appreciated having the same social security entitlements as fel- low citizens while in the UK.

Lena Svensson

Age: 38 Nationality: Swedish Fellowship dates: December 2006 – November 2008 Contract number: MEIF-CT-2006-41247 Institution where Fellowship was carried out: London Research Institute, United Kingdom Research area: Biology Contact: [email protected] From face to face 86 Ovidiu Tesileanu Reaching for the stars

Having been passionate about astronomy and astrophysics since early childhood, Ovidiu Tesileanu welcomed the opportunity to delve deeper into the subject through a Marie Curie grant. The Fellowship took him from Romania to Italy on a mission to investigate the stellar jets emitted from stars.

“My passion for astronomy and astrophysics began as a young child and so it was natural for me to study these subjects during my undergraduate years at the University of Bucharest, where I had the chance to meet a bright professor in this field, namely Pro- fessor Mircea Rusu,” says Ovidiu. Thanks to his encouragement, the young Romanian scientist applied to continue his studies in Italy with the backing of the Marie Curie programme.

His expectations when applying for the programme were “quite high, and they were all met and even exceeded”. Ovidiu explains: “I expected an international working environment, a good salary and competitive science – and these were all there.”

The international experience acquired during his Fellowship gave his career a great boost and was “very useful when returning to Romania”, says Ovidiu. “The recognition that comes from having worked in a competitive international team of scientists, and the experience of participating and presenting this research in various meetings and conferences, was important in obtaining a research grant in Romania and then my current position,” he explains.

I hope [the Marie Curie Actions] or a similar initiative will continue in the next Research and Innovation Programme. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Energy 87

Better personal relations Preparing Europe for the future

For Ovidiu, the Fellowship also “made a He believes this success is largely thanks to difference in a very basic way”. By the time his experiences during the Fellowship, which he was accepted, he was already married he regards as “a great experience that I will and with two children. ”With a normal, na- remember all my life”. He advises future Fel- tional PhD scholarship there was no way lows to concentrate on their work, but also to I was able to go to Italy with my family.” take advantage of the fact that they are in a There were other personal benefits too. foreign country, and have the opportunity to The chance to travel and to get to know travel a lot, and learn a lot. many people from many different places was “a great personal experience that Ovidiu has only glowing praise for the Fel- changed me a little in a positive way. Now lowship scheme: “It is a great initiative that it is easier for me to communicate, and this helped not only a few tens of thousands helps with personal relationships.” individuals follow their dreams, but helped create research communities and the mo- Aer the Marie Curie Fellowship, Ovidiu re- mentum Europe needs to succeed in the fu- turned to Romania, to the University of Bu- ture knowledge-based society. I hope this or charest, and received a two-year research a similar initiative will continue in the next grant to continue the work begun during his Research and Innovation Programme.” time in Italy. He combined this with teach- ing, and then in mid-2011 joined the Ex- treme Light Infrastructure team at the In- stitute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering.

“This is a large, challenging European pro- ject aimed at establishing a new, top-class infrastructure to study the interaction of radiation with matter, with scientists based in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania,” says Ovidiu, describing his cur- rent work. He is responsible for the team’s Ovidiu Tesileanu EU funding applications – “a challenging, but rewarding job”. Age: 31 Nationality: Romanian Fellowship dates: November 2005 – November 2008 Contract number: MRTN-CT-2004-005592 Institution where Fellowship was carried out: University of Turin, Italy Research area: Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics Contact: [email protected] From face to face 88 Panagiotis Tsakalides Improving auditory experiences – from education to entertainment The Marie Curie Fellowship was as rewarding for his young family as it was for him, according to Greek scientist Panagiotis Tsakalides. While he concentrated on finding ways to allow sound artists and engineers to step up their creativity, his sons had fun learning English with their new school friends.

“Our research aimed to further the basic so-called ‘wireless sen- sor networks theory’ and understanding of problems related to it,” says Panagiotis. This meant using a combination of disciplines, in- cluding “signal processing, wireless communications, information theory and data acquisition”. But Panagiotis and his team did not want their research to be merely theoretical, and so they tested the theories and heuristics they developed in immersive multime- dia environments.

Sensor networks for immersive multimedia

“Art, entertainment and education have always served as unique and demanding laboratories for information science and ubiqui- tous computing research,” explains Panagiotis. His team therefore explored the fundamental challenges of deploying sensor net- works for immersive multimedia, concentrating on multi-channel audio capture, representation and transmission.

Establish collaborations that will enrich you as a scientist and a citizen of the world. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health European Energy-Efficient Building Initiative 89

According to the scientist, the techniques Family fun in the US developed in this project will “help improve people’s auditory experiences, their inter- Panagiotis adds that in addition to person- action and perception, and will ultimately al career advancement, “I was fortunate enhance the creative flexibility of audio enough to be able to take my family – my artists and engineers by providing addi- wife and two young boys, aged five and tional information for post-production and seven – with me to the US”. He says that his processing”. family also benefited greatly from living for an extended period of time in a foreign coun- Group of excellence try, and that his children learnt English by at- tending school there. “Our expectations when applying for a Marie Curie Fellowship were to establish a group The scientist denies that he experienced any of excellence in the field of signal process- frustrations during his Fellowship and would ing at the Foundation for Research and encourage future Marie Curie Fellows to “be Technology-Hellas, Institute of Computer open to new experiences when doing re- Science (FORTH-ICS), based on the island search abroad, both scientific and every-day of Crete,” says Panagiotis. He notes that he life”. He urges them to “establish collabora- and his team were “successful in doing so” tions that will enrich you as a scientist and a and insists that the Marie Curie programme citizen of the world”. was “instrumental” in establishing the signal processing laboratory, which he now heads. The Fellowship provided the financing to attract international post-doctoral fellows from New Zealand, India, Romania, Spain, Finland and the US. It also enabled FORTH- ICS researchers to be seconded to partner institutions in the US and Spain.

Panagiotis highlights how the relative isola- tion of the research foundation on an island on the edge of the European Union means Panagiotis Tsakalides that none of this would have been likely to happen without the backing of the scheme. Age: 44 Moreover, since he finished his Fellowship, Nationality: Greek his team has been successful in applying Fellowship dates: January 2008 – September 2008 for funding from the Marie Curie scheme for Contract number: MTKD-CT-2005-029791 other projects, and says that this backing Institution where Fellowship was carried out: has been “helping to sustain our research ef- University of Southern California, USA and FORTH CS, forts and international collaborations”. Crete, Greece Research area: Electrical engineering Contact: www.ics.forth.gr/~tsakalid/ From face to face 90 Arjen van Miltenburg Culturally enriched chemical engineering

Arjen van Miltenburg is grateful to his Marie Curie Fellowship not only for furthering his career, but for teaching him the importance of being aware of other cultures, and for the ability to work confidently alongside people from different backgrounds. He has plenty of advice for scientists planning to apply for a Fellowship!

Arjen dedicated his post-doctoral research to the study of molec- ular transport in nanoporous materials, examining how this was enhanced when additional pores were introduced into these ma- terials. “This resulted in nanoporous materials with faster adsorp- tion or desorption and reaction rates,” explains Arjen. “These ma- terials would allow smaller, less costly and more efficient chemical processes,” for example for use in the production of feedstocks for various plastics and polymers.

New ways of thinking

The Fellowship exceeded Arjen’s expectations, giving him the op- portunity to work in an international environment, with “multiple opportunities for international cooperation and the possibility to expand my professional and personal networks with new interna- tional contacts”. He comments that “living in another country not only gives junior researchers direct exposure to other European cultures and other ways of life, but may also change their way of thinking as a scientist”. These experiences “could lead to new ideas for solving research questions”, believes Arjen.

The sense of urgency is sometimes perceived differently in other countries. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Energy Sustainable Consumption And Production 91 Increase Of The Use Of Technology In Manufacturing Initiative

Arjen also appreciated the opportunity to language and at work during the coffee work outside a university environment, in and lunch breaks. Also you will meet many a commercially orientated research insti- new international friends in the classroom tute like SINTEF, although Arjen also spent that you didn’t meet at work”. He also ad- two short periods at the Czech Republic’s vises Fellows to always keep some money Academy of Sciences during his Fellow- reserved in case family matters require an ship. For global companies like his cur- urgent trip home. rent employer, international petrochemical company SABIC, “cultural awareness and Using social networks international cooperation in diverse teams are and will remain very important skill On the professional front, he suggests that sets for their employees”. Fellows working on projects involving several Marie Curie students set-up a LinkedIn group Cultural frustrations and perhaps arrange a team meeting at the end of the project, inviting not only the lat- While most of these cultural differences est but also former members of the Marie were enriching, Arjen admitted that they Curie training network. This would allow both were also sometimes the source of slight ir- junior and senior researchers to “keep track ritations. For instance, “the sense of urgency of former Fellow team members and their is sometimes perceived differently in other current careers – giving the last junior re- countries,” he notes. This meant that the searchers indirect contact points with future writing of joint publications was sometimes employers. It would also allow for possible frustrating. “As an example, aer submit- future cooperation,” says Arjen. ting our initial part of the publication to the second co-author, we received a completely revised final version back. The total manu- script, including our own section, was com- pletely rewritten and contained many incor- rect English sentences, and the submission deadline was the next day!” Arjen van Miltenburg Aer finishing the Fellowship at the end of 2008, Arjen moved back to the Netherlands Age: 34 and worked for about a year as a process Nationality: Dutch engineer before moving to Maastricht and Fellowship dates: October 2006 – September 2008 joining the SABIC Technology Center as a Contract number: MRTN-CT-2004-005503 process development engineer. Institution where Fellowship was carried out: SINTEF, Oslo, Norway and J. Heyrovský Institute of Arjen would advise future Marie Curie Fel- Physical Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the lows to spend time learning the local lan- Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic guage when abroad as it “allows you to in- Research area: Chemical engineering teract more easily with ‘the locals’ in their Contact: http://nl.linkedin.com/in/arjenvanmiltenburg From face to face 92 Francisco Vega Understanding childhood cancer Four years aer the completion of his Marie Curie Fellowship, Francisco Vega is using results gleaned from his research into breast cancer for translational research into a tumour affecting children. Now back in his home country – Spain – Francisco currently has a research contract and is applying for a longer term position.

Understanding the basic mechanism behind metastasis – or how cancer spreads from one organ or organ part to another – has been the focus of Francisco’s research since he started his post- doctoral research in London. During his Marie Curie Fellowship, his basic research centred on cell biology.

He began working with clinicians towards the end of the Fellow- ship, when his laboratory was moved to a campus linked to a hospital. Today, Francisco continues to collaborate with clinicians, applying what he learnt during his Fellowship. His ultimate goal is to understand how cancer cells behave in children that have developed a neuroblastoma tumour. “This is obviously a very long process, but the results are promising,” he says.

For many Fellows, it is the first time their research career is properly recognised at international level. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health 93

Opening doors That is not to say that everything was smooth sailing during the Fellowship. “The The Marie Curie Fellowship not only helped Marie Curie scheme has very strict rules on Francisco to focus on his specific area of how the money should be spent – it should interest, but also contributed to him being be spent on the project and the Fellow’s ca- accepted at the highly competitive Ludwig reer.” In the past, it was not uncommon to Institute for Cancer Research. He particu- have to argue with host institute adminis- larly appreciated that his application was trators to ensure that the money was spent judged on the basis of the research pro- appropriately, says Francisco. “But this has posal itself and not only on how many pub- been addressed by the EU and the situation lications he had to his name. is much better now,” he adds.

Francisco is able to reel off a long list of Francisco’s other frustration was the length personal and professional benefits that he of the Fellowship – two years. “It is very diffi- attributes to the Fellowship. Profession- cult to complete a competitive project within ally, he gained from working in a different two years – in your second year you already environment, in a different way, and with need to start thinking about securing funding international experts in his field of work. to continue your research,” he says. On the He was also able to build up a network of other hand, Francisco believes that the fact contacts, some of which were from anoth- that he had a Marie Curie Fellowship helped er EU-funded project. him to secure funding from a breast cancer charity for the three years following the Fel- Francisco was also asked to represent lowship and to “finish the work started”. his research group in meetings with oth- er groups – the first time he had done this at such a level, and “a very valuable experience”.

Recognition at last

“I think the programme is making a dif- ference by allowing mobility, especially Francisco Vega from countries where science is not so well funded,” says Francisco. “For many Fellows, Age: 36 it is the first time their research career is Nationality: Spanish properly recognised at international level, in Fellowship dates: April 2006 – March 2008 terms of salary, evaluation and professional Contract number: MEIF-CT-2005-024441 consideration.” Institution where Fellowship was carried out: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research – UCL and On a personal level, Francisco appreciated King’s College London, United Kingdom the exposure to a different culture and the Research area: Biology opportunity to improve his communication Contact: [email protected] skills and his English. From face to face 94 Admar Verschoor “Truly independent” studies of the immune system

The Marie Curie Fellowship is offering EU scientists an alternative to joining the brain drain and moving across the Atlantic, says Admar Verschoor. He thanks the scheme for offering him the chance to carry out “truly independent research” and for minimising the personal disruptions generally associated with the life of a researcher.

Constantly exposed to microbes and viruses, our immune system has developed to provide a certain level of protection from this con- tinuous onslaught. But in some cases, the immune system can turn against us, explains Admar. His research focuses on the so-called complement cascade system that normally helps protect against in- fection, and is associated with recurring bacterial infection and auto- immunity when it stops working properly.

During his Marie Curie-funded project, Admar investigated the role of the complement system in autoimmune diabetes. In this disease, the immune system misguidedly attacks cells within the pancreas that produce insulin and regulate sugar metabolism – an important part of our energy balance, says Admar. “We found strong indications that the complement system plays an important role in the disease pro- cess, and its identification may therefore provide a target for thera- peutic interference,” explains the scientist.

Ticket home

Admar studied for his PhD at Harvard Medical School in Boston, US, and welcomed the chance to return to the EU to continue his research. “I had the choice of continuing my research in the US or returning to Europe,” says Admar. “The Marie Curie Fellowship enabled me to make an edu-

One could say that the Marie Curie Fellowship was my ‘ticket back home’. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health 95 cated decision between the two systems, as it Among these unwelcome surprises, he allowed me to transfer my research projects to lists the differences in social security and Zurich, to the laboratories of Hans Hengartner pension rights in different countries. “As a and Nobel laureate Rolf Zinkernagel.” He sug- newcomer to a country, you oen find out gests therefore that the Fellowship was his about important aspects of insurance, “ticket back home”. The European Commission social benefits, rights and obligations by “can be content if one of its aims is to curtail bumping one´s head against a brick wall, the dreaded brain-drain”, quips Admar. rather than through proactive informa- tion,” he comments wryly. “Even when He also congratulates the programme for pro- such information exists in several lan- viding not only a salary for researchers at a key guages, it oen turns out to be applicable moment in their career, but also a small budget and understandable primarily to those for laboratory equipment. “Laboratory-based who grew up and will stay under the sys- research can generate substantial day-to-day tem, rather than fit the exceptional and costs compared to office-based theoretical re- complicated situation of the Marie Curie search,” comments Admar. Indeed, he makes Fellow,” he explains. a plea for the EU to “expand its budget for ex- perimental and laboratory-based researchers”. But in spite of practical obstacles and impacts on personal relationships back An investment home, Admar also found the Fellowship to open doors to international networks and Scientists today oen “lead an uprooted life, new friendships. He thus regards interna- moving countries on a regular basis, which tional experience as a sometimes difficult of course affects personal relationships back investment, but one with the potential to home”, as well as financial security and ca- offer valuable returns to the Fellow, sci- reer development, says Admar. He le his ence and society at large. home country – the Netherlands – for Lon- don, UK, before moving on to Santiago de Compostela – Spain, Boston – US, Zurich – Switzerland, and finally arriving in Munich – Admar Verschoor Germany aer his Fellowship. Age: 38 He recognises that the Marie Curie Fellowship Nationality: Dutch tries to reduce the negative consequences of Fellowship dates: September 2007 – August 2009 so much upheaval, but acknowledges that it Contract number: MEIF-CT-2005-042142 cannot totally eliminate them. “Although the Institution where Fellowship was carried out: Commission laudably tries to minimise risks Institute of Experimental Immunology, University for the Fellow by for instance demanding a Hospital Zurich, Switzerland true ‘employer-employee relationship’ from Research area: Medicine the host institution, unwelcome surprises re- Contact: [email protected] main, and I would rank these as a source of www.mikrobio.med.tu-muenchen.de/project-admar- ‘frustration’ for Marie Curie Fellows,” he says. verschoor/ From face to face 96 Nadine Zeeni The origins of obesity “I really benefitted from my Marie Curie Fellowship – even more than most,” says Nadine Zeeni as she reflects upon the path that took her from Lebanon to France to the UK and then back to Lebanon, where she established a nutrition department at the Lebanese American University.

For the full-time academic position that Nadine coveted and now has, she needed a PhD from outside Lebanon as the Lebanese American University – one of the country’s top two universities – and Lebanese universities prefer to hire candidates with PhDs from reputable insti- tutions abroad, she explains.

“I wanted to come back to my country because I love it,” says Nadine. So towards the end of her Fellowship, she began travelling back- wards and forwards for interviews. Four months before graduating, she got her current job and she started three days aer handing in her thesis. “They were waiting for me to start the research pro- gramme,” she says.

“I really couldn’t ask for better. And I had other offers too, so I had the luxury of choosing,” enthuses Nadine.

It’s much less dull than a regular PhD! Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Health Public Health 97

Obesity: causes and consequences The highs and lows of mobility

During her Fellowship, Nadine studied This research would simply not have been obesity as part of the EU-funded research possible in Lebanon at the moment – the project ‘Nutrient Sensing in Satiety Con- cost of an MRI scanner is prohibitively high. trol and Obesity’ (NuSISCO). She looked Without the international experience, Nadine into both the causes of obesity and the would also have found it much more difficult consequences for the body of carry- to build up a network of contacts. Indeed, the ing excess weight. One potential cause six-month stint at Imperial College in London is stress – “Food tends to be seen as an meant a lot of moving around between 2006 emotional reward for those under stress,” and 2009. Nadine says that she complained she explains. This could explain why obe- every time. “But I met so many scientists and sity tends to be more prevalent in lower became familiar with different labs and dif- socio-economic groups. ferent cultures!” she says. “And now, I can re- fer my students to so many people.” The consequences include a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and can- Nadine has only encouragement for anyone cer – and as a result, increased healthcare else considering a Marie Curie Fellowship – “It spending. really makes a difference, and it’s much less dull than a regular PhD!” she says. “Aer- Nadine’s particular focus was satiety, and wards, you’re just going to be working in one how satiety signals might change in someone institute, so you should make the most of this who is obese. unique opportunity for networking and mobil- ity first.” Her findings were striking. Through Magnet- ic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies on rats Since returning to her home country, Nadine and mice, Nadine discovered that long-term has broadened her research to encompass exposure to a high-fat diet reduces feelings the herbs used as remedies in some parts of of fullness. “You get used to a high-fat diet Lebanon, as well as eating disorders. and it becomes harder to stop eating – you just don’t feel full anymore.”

These results could be used for further Nadine Zeeni clinical studies investigating the effects of satiety signals as anti-obesity drugs. And Age: 28 through illustrating the consequences of a Nationality: Lebanese long-term, high-fat diet, they are also im- Fellowship dates: November 2006 – October 2009 portant for those working on obesity pre- Contract number: MEST-CT-2005-020494 vention strategies. Institution where Fellowship was carried out: AgroParis Tech, Paris, France Research area: Biology/nutritional sciences Contact: [email protected] From face to face 98 Zulin Zhang Organic contaminants under the microscope

It was a desire to work in an international environment and to familiarise himself with more advanced knowledge and techniques that first brought Chinese environmental scientist Zulin Zhang to Europe. Eight years later, Zulin is still in the UK, investigating organic pollutants.

When Zulin arrived in England in 2004, it was not the first time that he had been to Europe; he had previously attended several interna- tional conferences. But as he admits, this only partially prepared him for a move to the UK: “It is totally different when you live there for a long time. Obviously the UK and China are very different, including in culture and in daily life. So it took me a few months to get used to life in the UK.”

But the transition was clearly not too difficult, as Zulin stayed on aer his Fellowship, accepting a post at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland. He is currently head of the organic section within the environmental and biochemical sciences group.

From development to application

Today Zulin is applying techniques that he developed during his Marie Curie Fellowship. In Sussex, Zulin was building new moni- toring and analytical techniques for measuring the presence in water of emerging organic contaminants – such as those in per- sonal care and pharmaceutical products.

I would say the Fellowship is a really good opportunity, particularly at the early stage of your career. Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows Public Health Conservation And Management Of Natural Resources 99

The techniques were designed to help re- The Fellowship also gave the scientist experi- searchers investigate environmental be- ence of working independently on a project, haviours, as well as the effects and risks of and getting published in renowned, interna- organic contaminants in the ecosystem – tional journals. And of course it helped Zulin which is one line of Zulin’s research today. to improve his English.

Zulin also spends his days trying to iden- “I would say the Fellowship is a really good tify new organic contaminants (such as opportunity to go abroad and be exposed those in emerging pesticides and endo- to an international environment, to explore crine disrupting compounds including your own research and to build up your oestrogens, bisphenol A and phthalates) research areas, particularly at the early and persistent organic pollutants. stage of your career,” says Zulin.

“Once these substances are excreted into As for the future, Zulin is unsure as to the environment, they enter soil, water, whether he will stay in Europe or return air and transport or accumulate in plant, to China. “There are lots of factors to be aquatic and terrestrial organisms,” ex- considered, such as family, job, working plains Zulin. “This will affect the quality and living conditions, friends and so on. All of water, air and food that animals rely I can say now is that, at the moment, I pre- on, and hence lead to numerous adverse fer to stay in the UK or Europe.” effects for wildlife and humans.”

Experience: the best teacher

Zulin believes that he is where he is today because of his Marie Curie Fellowship. In ad- dition to introducing him to an international research environment, the experience also helped him to advance his analytical tech- niques through the use of modern instru- mentation such as ultra-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography/ Zulin Zhang tandem mass spectrometry. Age: 36 Nationality: Chinese Fellowship dates: December 2004 – June 2007 Contract number: MKTD-CT-2006-042707 Institution where Fellowship was carried out: Sussex University, United Kingdom Research area: Chemistry, biology and environmental science Contact: [email protected] From face to face 100 Portraits of Marie Curie Fellows 101

Acronyms

General Host-Driven Marie Curie Actions: RTD: Research Technology and Development (also used to indicate RTN: Research Training Network the Directorate General for Research & EST: Early Stage Research Training Innovation) ToK-DEV: Transfer of Knowledge – FP6: Sixth Framework Programme for Development Scheme Research and Technology Development ToK-IAPP: Transfer of Knowledge – MC: Marie Curie Industry-Academia Strategic Partnership MCA: Marie Curie Actions Scheme REA: Research Executive Agency SCF & LCF: Conferences and Training ERC: European Research Council Courses ICPC: International Cooperation Partner Countries Individual-Driven Marie Curie Actions: Type of Marie Curie fellows (based on experience): EIF: Intra-European Fellowship OIF: Outgoing International Fellowship ESR: Early Stage Researcher (less than IIF: Incoming International Fellowship four years in research, without PhD) IIFR: Incoming International Fellowship – ER: Experienced Researcher (between four Return Phase and ten years in research, or less than four ERG: European Reintegration Grant years in research but with PhD) IRG: International Reintegration Grant MER: More Experienced Researcher (more than ten years in research) Excellence promotion and recognition grants

EXT: MC Excellence Grants EXA: MC Excellence Awards EXC: MC Chairs European Commission

EUR 12569 — From face to face - Portraits of Marie Curie fellows

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union

2012 — 104 pp. — 14.8 x 21.0 cm

ISBN 978-92-79-23909-0 doi 10.2777/87638 3

How to obtain EU publications

Free publications: ȩ bȩTG?ȩ#3ȩ MMIQFMNȩFRRN @MMIQFMN CSPMN? CS ȩ bȩ?RȩRFCȩ#SPMNC?Lȩ!MKKGQQGMLQȩPCNPCQCLR?RGMLQȩMPȩBCJCE?RGMLQ ȩ7MSȩA?LȩM@R?GLȩRFCGP ȩAMLR?ARȩBCR?GJQȩMLȩRFCȩ'LRCPLCRȩFRRN CA CSPMN? CSȩMPȩ@WȩQCLBGLEȩ?ȩD?VȩRMȩ ȩ ȩ  Priced publications: ȩ bȩTG?ȩ#3ȩ MMIQFMNȩFRRN @MMIQFMN CSPMN? CSȩ Priced subscriptions (e.g. annual series of the Official Journal of the European Union and reports of cases before the Court of Justice of the European Union): ȩ bȩTG?ȩMLCȩMDȩRFCȩQ?JCQȩ?ECLRQȩMDȩRFCȩ.S@JGA?RGMLQȩ-ȑACȩMDȩRFCȩ#SPMNC?Lȩ3LGMLȩ ȩFRRN NS@JGA?RGMLQ CSPMN? CS MRFCPQ ?ECLRQ GLBCV=CL FRK

Sans titre-a5.indd 3 11/07/12 10:50 )'    #, !

2FGQȩ@MMIȩNPCQCLRQȩ?ȩAMJJCARGMLȩMDȩ ȩPCQC?PAFCPȩNMPRP?GRQ ȩ2FCȩD?ACQȩ ?LBȩQRMPGCQȩ@CJMLEȩRMȩ$CJJMUQȩUFMȩ PCACGTCBȩ?ȩEP?LRȩRF?LIQȩRMȩRFCȩ +?PGCȩ!SPGCȩ ARGMLQȩSLBCPȩRFCȩ1GVRFȩ $P?KCUMPIȩ.PMEP?KKCȩDMPȩ0CQC?PAFȩ ?LBȩ2CAFLMJMEWȩ"CTCJMNKCLRȩ $. ȩ2FCQCȩPCQC?PAFCPQ ȩ?JRFMSEFȩ PCNPCQCLRGLEȩJCQQȩRF?LȩϤȩMDȩ?JJȩ RFCȩPCQC?PAFCPQȩDSLBCBȩSLBCPȩ$. ȩ NPMTGBCȩCV?KNJCQȩMDȩFMUȩRFCȩ$CJJMUQȩ @CLCȏRȩDPMKȩRFCȩ+?PGCȩ!SPGCȩ ARGMLQ ȩ ?LBȩGLȩN?PRGASJ?PȩRFCȩCVRCLRȩRMȩUFGAFȩ RFCȩEP?LRȩRFCWȩPCACGTCBȩ?ȎCARCBȩ RFCGPȩNPMDCQQGML?Jȩ?LBȩNCPQML?JȩJGDC ȩ 2FCWȩ?PCȩQK?JJȩGLȩLSK@CP ȩ@SRȩRFCGPȩ BGTCPQGRWȩNPMTGBCQȩ?LȩGBC?ȩMDȩRFCȩ NPMEP?KKCQȩAMKNJCVGRW 2FCȩNMPRP?GRQȩ?PCȩNPCACBCBȩ@Wȩ?ȩQFMPRȩ GLRPMBSARGML ȩUFGAFȩNPMTGBCQȩQMKCȩ ICWȩB?R?ȩMLȩRFCȩ$CJJMUQȩ?LBȩMPE?LG- Q?RGMLQȩRF?RȩN?PRGAGN?RCBȩBSPGLEȩRFCȩ CLRGPCȩJCLERFȩMDȩRFCȩNPMEP?KKC

Sans titre-a5.indd 4 11/07/12 10:50