Leonie Mueller, policy officer at Altertox and communication coordinator for PrecisionTox, shares her journey from academic research in ecotoxicology to a career in science policy in this ASPIS Academy interview. Led by Marie Corradi from ONTOX, this engaging discussion explores Leonie’s transition from academia, the skills needed for success in policy work, and the challenges of translating scientific research into regulatory impact. Dive into the interview to gain valuable insights on how young scientists can contribute to policy development, accelerate the adoption of non-animal methods (NAMs), and build a meaningful career at the intersection of science and regulation.
Leonie Mueller
Dr. Leonie Mueller is a Policy Officer at Altertox Academy. She joined Altertox in 2021 and has been a Communication Coordinator for PrecisionTox since 2023.
Leonie’s work focuses on the translation of science on non-animal methods (NAMs) for hazard and risk assessment in the EU’s chemical regulation context. Her background is in ecotoxicology, and her academic research focused on the mechanistic toxicity of environmental pollutants in the aquatic environment and how in vitro and non-animal in vivo methods can be applied and advanced for chemical risk assessment.
“With every job comes times when the pressure is high; once you are through it, celebrate your achievements and acknowledge what you have learned, not only from the success stories but also from the failures.”
What attracted you to the policy world, and was it easy to transition from academia?
My background is in environmental science. What fascinated me from the start about this field was not only to learn about how organisms adapt to their surroundings, and that they and we as humans are part of a larger system but also how this scientific knowledge is used to create laws and regulations intended to protect the environment from harmful effects resulting from human activities. I have known for a long time that I wanted to help translating science for policy to improve the protection of the environment and human health. The transition was easy for me because I found an employer who acknowledged my enthusiasm for science to policy but also that I didn’t have any official education on the subject. His expertise and guidance helped me build the skills necessary to work on science for policy.
What are the skills (technical and interpersonal) needed for success in this sector?
When you start, it is good to understand policy-making and the relevant laws and regulations for your scientific field. Science to policy is a large field, and it is easy to get overwhelmed. As in all fields of work, it helps to be curious and enthusiastic about your topic; this is a huge motivator for me personally. One helpful skill is patience. Policy sometimes seems very fast-paced when you look at the news, but in the day-to-day, it is a slow process to achieve progress. Good interpersonal skills and a passion for communicating about science to people with different backgrounds is key. However, good listening skills are equally important; with that, of course, comes compassion and interest in understanding different perspectives. Finally, it is helpful if you are skilled in finding compromises and facilitating areas of agreement, which are the basis for sustainable progress.
What does your typical day look like?
My day-to-day job involves a lot of writing and connecting with people. I am the communication coordinator for PrecisionTox; with this role comes a lot of reading, writing (translating complex science for different audiences) and organising, for example, training, workshops and meetings, all crucial platforms to disseminate the project research to our diverse stakeholder community to generate lasting impact. Part of that is communicating the research to policy and lawmakers, and we do this using different tools and platforms, such as policy briefs, webinars, and events at the European Parliament.
Can you describe the type(s) of projects you work on?
Next to my role as communication coordinator for PrecisionTox, I am the designated policy officer at Altertox. Within this role, I monitor information relevant to the regulatory uptake of NAMs, policy priorities regarding chemical legislation in the European Parliament, and ongoing initiatives of the European Commission, such as the Roadmap to Phase Out Animal Testing in Chemical Safety Assessments. This means reading reports and briefings, attending workshops and conferences, and Environment Committee meetings (ENVI) in the European Parliament. When I directly interact with members of the European Parliament and their staff, it is mainly to present scientific briefings when technical questions regarding a specific policy file exist. The last file I helped advise on was the commission proposal to establish a new regulation establishing a common data platform as part of the One Substance One Assessment (OSOA) package.
What is rewarding in your job, and on the other hand, what do you have to compromise on?
Rewarding for me is the direct interaction with everyone I work with. Either through the EU projects, communication clients of Altertox and, of course, when I have the chance to speak to the EU Commission and members of the European Parliament and their staff. I appreciate the feeling of connection to a larger community dedicated to advancing how our society operates through scientific knowledge.
How do you continue learning and developing?
The technical aspects of my work, the growing body of knowledge about NAMs for (eco)toxicological risk assessment of chemicals, I get through the research projects we are partners in (PrecisionTox, ONTOX, PANORAMIX, NAMWISE, ASPIS), visiting scientific conferences and technical workshops. When I was still in academia, I did not access LinkedIn much, but since I started my position at Altertox, I found that a great way to stay up to date with the latest publications and events is through LinkedIn. I have found a great network of people who will highlight relevant information.
How do you manage work-life balance?
Nowadays quite well and continuously improving. And I am so encouraged to see the importance given to this topic by the next generation of researchers. I feel very lucky that my work excites me, and with that comes a drive that can turn into pressure to deliver the best I can do. When I find myself in a situation where I feel the work is getting too much, I have learned that is crucial for me to communicate this to my manager. When you are really in it, it is sometimes hard to see how you can re-prioritise your work, or you simply forget that there are people around who can take some items off your agenda. Recharging through proper time off is crucial to staying happy and healthy. With every job comes times when the pressure is high; once you are through it, celebrate your achievements and acknowledge what you have learned, not only from the success stories but also from the failures. And always remember that we are all in this together, everyone sometimes struggles to find the right balance. Sharing these feelings is a great way to reflect and improve.
What role could young scientists have in accelerating NAMs development and adoption?
Young scientists have always had the critical role of delivering the incredible science that continuously propels us forward, so I urge you all to embrace your contributions and communicate what you are doing. One additional aspect young scientists can focus on is to include considerations about regulatory relevance and method adoption. The scientific and regulatory discussion about how NAMs fit into safety assessment is still very active, but first conclusions are coming out of the many different groups and agencies committed to the topic. A great resource to learn more about this is the Key Areas of Regulatory Challenge (KARC) report by ECHA.
Are there specific certifications or further education that enhance career prospects in the policy field?
From my personal experience, I learned that it is not a requirement to have a degree in political sciences; the experts for policy are in the EU Parliament, the EU Commission, and the national governments. What helps in general, but especially when starting to work in this sector, is to narrow down which specific topics, regulations and laws to focus on.
A final word of advice for Early-Stage Researchers aspiring to work in policy?
Talk about your goals! I was always very vocal about the type of work I wanted to do, and this brought me in touch with the right people to kick-start my career in science for policy. A great first step is to find like-minded people in your immediate network so you can research institutions or projects that do science for policy work. Ask them if you can get involved in any of the activities that are going on. It is a win-win situation because you learn and build your skills, and senior staff are most likely grateful for the helping hands.
About the interviewer: Marie Corradi
Marie Corradi is a PhD candidate at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences. She uses Natural Language Processing to extract toxicology-related information from scientific text. Being involved in ASPIS Academy allows Marie to interact with other early-career researchers and connect with more senior colleagues engaged in the ASPIS projects.
