Q: Hi Marie, you have recently joined the ERIS team at VUB TechTransfer and the IMPACT Management Team. Welcome! Can you tell us a bit about your background?
A: I am thrilled to have joined ERIS and IMPACT Management team and eager to contribute my expertise. I hold a PhD in Biochemistry and Biotechnology from Ghent University, for which I conducted my research at VIB in Ghent. My focus was on designing and implementing novel CRISPR tools, which are molecular scissors that allow precise editing of the genetic information. While those tools are widely used in medical science we adapted them for use in plants aiming for targeted and effective approaches to enhance plant science. After completing my PhD, I joined the European Commission for a 5-months traineeship in the management of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Staff Exchange program getting insights into the EU funding landscape, proposal evaluation and management.
Q: Why did you decide to switch from an academic career to EU grant writing?
A: While I greatly enjoyed being a researcher, the writing process has always been my favourite part. I believe effective storytelling is a powerful tool to convey the significance of research and its real world implications. Supporting researchers in their pursuit of EU funding will allow me to build further on my scientific writing and management skills. Most importantly, helping researchers secure funding for EU projects with great societal impact is a very fulfilling task.
Q: How did you learn about the MSCA COFUND IMPACT programme?
A: I learned about the programme as I prepared for my interview for the position in the ERIS team through the ERIS LinkedIn communications.
Q: Now that you have been involved in your first IMPACT training week, what were your first impressions?
A: Having participated in my first training week, I greatly appreciate the programs approach of bringing together postdocs from different disciplines to present their research. As a researcher, it is very refreshing and sometimes eye-opening to receive feedback from peers outside your field of expertise. I was particularly impressed by the depth of experience each trainer brought to the training week. Overall, it was a very effective training week, fostering collaboration and broadening perspectives among the postdocs.
Q: What are your plans for the future as member of the IMPACT Management Team?
A: As a member of the IMPACT Management Team, I aim to contribute to the strategic planning and development of the program. I would like to actively engage in further expanding the program’s network by establishing connections with industry professionals, researchers and organizations to create valuable career opportunities for the postdocs.
Dr Marie Pfeiffer has a PhD in Biochemistry and Biotechnology with expertise in EU funding. Passionate about innovation’s transformative power, she is committed to making meaningful contributions to the innovation landscape in Europe for positive change. Beyond her professional aspirations, she enjoys running, playing badminton and discovering new cities.
Stay tuned to find out who else has joined our team! 😉