Can you describe your IMPACT story in three words. Why those words?
I. Transformative
II. Empowering
III. Sustainable.
Transformative
The IMPACT fellowship transformed both my research and professional trajectory by advancing human-relevant, mechanistically informed approaches to e-waste risk assessment that align with current scientific priorities in next-generation, animal-free chemical safety evaluation, while simultaneously strengthening my independence as an impact-driven researcher.
Empowering
Through a rich programme of trainings and workshops covering intellectual property, valorisation and licensing, networking and constructive alignment, pitching and storytelling, intergenerational leadership, impact case development, and research funding strategies, the fellowship empowered me with the skills, confidence, and strategic insight needed to translate science into societal and policy impact. Furthermore, the secondment at the World Resources Forum in Switzerland was instrumental in connecting my academic research to international policy dialogues on resource management, circular economy, and sustainability. It enabled direct engagement with global stakeholders, strengthened interdisciplinary and cross-sector networks, and reinforced the real-world relevance of my research, ensuring that its impact extends beyond academia into policy and practice.
Sustainable
The fellowship generated lasting value by equipping me with transferable competencies, durable collaborations, and an impact-oriented mindset that will continue to inform my research, funding acquisition, and engagement with regulatory and innovation ecosystems well beyond the fellowship period.
What has been the most surprising or transformative moment during your fellowship?
One of the most transformative moments of my fellowship was realizing how human-relevant, mechanistic toxicological research can directly inform real-world decision-making. This became especially clear during my secondment at the World Resources Forum in Switzerland, where I engaged with policymakers and sustainability experts working on circular economy and resource governance. Seeing how well-framed scientific evidence can shape discussions on chemical safety and e-waste management fundamentally changed how I approach my research. Combined with the fellowship’s impact-focused training, this experience shifted my perspective from doing excellent science alone to designing research with intentional societal and policy impact.
How do you see your IMPACT experience influencing your next steps?
My IMPACT experience has significantly shaped my career trajectory by clarifying how I aim to position myself at the intersection of academia, policy, and societal impact. From an academic standpoint, the fellowship has strengthened my profile as an independent researcher in human-relevant chemical risk assessment, equipping me to pursue competitive postdoctoral or early faculty opportunities, develop fundable research agendas, and lead interdisciplinary projects that integrate mechanistic toxicology with exposure science and mixture risk assessment. At the same time, the fellowship has opened clear avenues for policy engagement, and I now envision my career following a hybrid pathway, grounded in academic excellence while actively collaborating with policymakers, international organisations, and non-academic stakeholders to ensure that my research informs evidence-based environmental and chemical policy.