The ASPIS Academy is excited to kick off a new series of career development interviews featuring inspiring experts in the fields of toxicology and risk assessment. Early-career scientists from the three ASPIS cluster projects have engaged with seasoned professionals to explore what drew them to their research fields and to gather valuable advice for budding researchers. In this inaugural interview, Julen Sanz-Serrano (ONTOX) sits down with Mathieu Vinken, ONTOX coordinator and professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium. Discover what fuels his passion for science and gain insights to guide your own research journey!
Prof. Mathieu Vinken, Ph.D., Pharm.D., E.R.T.
Mathieu Vinken is a full professor affiliated with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel-Belgium. He has a background in pharmaceutical sciences (Pharm.D.), holds a doctoral degree in experimental in vitro toxicology (Ph.D.), is a European registered toxicologist (E.R.T.) and is a trained chemical risk assessor.
His research focus is situated in the fields of experimental hepatology (cellular communication as a drug target for the therapy of liver disease), in vitro toxicology (mechanistic modelling of liver toxicity and set-up of liver-based in vitro systems) and space toxicology (effects of space conditions on the liver).
Mathieu is the author of over 230 papers published in international peer-reviewed journals (h-index 47) and the editor of 3 books. He is also the editor-in-chief of Toxicology, associate editor of Archives of Toxicology, and European editor of Applied In Vitro Toxicology.
Mathieu coordinates several national and international projects, including the European Horizon 2020 project ONTOX. He is a regularly invited speaker at international toxicology conferences. He is past president of ESTIV, executive committee member of EUROTOX, and founder of the In Vitro and In Silico Toxicology Speciality Section of EUROTOX.
He has received several research grants from the excellent science pillar of the European Union’s research and innovation frameworks, including from the European Research Council, the Future and Emerging Technologies program, and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions program. He has also received several scientific awards, among them the Galen Award for Pharmacology (ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5115-8893, ResearcherID: H-7513-2013).
“Go abroad to do research, and never let someone tell you that you are too ambitious or that you need to slow down.”
What attracted you to academia?
The freedom and flexibility to perform research that can serve society in an altruistic way. I particularly enjoy working at the Free University Brussels-Belgium because of its focus on inclusiveness and free inquiry, which enables me to carry out critical research not subjected to any dogma or religion.
What skills (technical and interpersonal) do you think are most needed to succeed in this sector?
3Is: being Internationally visible, having an Interdisciplinary mindset and working in an Intersectoral environment.
What does your typical day look like?
The content of every day is different (meetings, presentations, discussions, teaching, visits abroad, …), which is what actually makes my job appealing to me. I would have a hard time dealing with routine. However, the organization of every day is pretty similar. I get up at 4:00 am and usually start to work around 5:00 am. I don’t have lunch breaks, but I do take a break of 1-1.5 hour every day to go out for running. In between meetings, I take some 5-minute breaks. I usually stop working around 9:00 pm.
Can you describe the type of projects you work on?
My team’s work revolves around liver research and is situated in the fields of experimental hepatology (connexin- and pannexin-based cellular channels as drug targets and biomarkers for the therapy and diagnosis of liver disease), in vitro toxicology (mechanistic modelling of liver toxicity as the basis for the development of liver-based in vitro systems), and space toxicology (adverse effects of the space environment on the liver).
What is rewarding in your job, and what do you have to compromise on?
I really enjoy helping to shape the careers of young colleagues. It makes me happy to see that young researchers become successful by making use of skills I could teach them.
How do you continue learning and developing?
Self-reflection is key to me. It is good to question yourself every now and then as well as to be self-critical. I continuously push my limits and look for new challenges.
How do you manage work-life balance?
I don’t. However, I try to make sure my team members can manage their work-life balance.
What role could young scientists have in accelerating the development and adoption of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)?
Although much appreciated and necessary, we still have too many dinosaurs in the 3Rs field. We urgently need fresh ideas and technologies, which can only be provided by motivated young researchers. It, therefore, makes me happy to see initiatives like the ASPIS Academy and the EUROTOX Early Career Forum.
How do you start a seemingly unconventional project like space toxicology?
Out of curiosity and genuine interest. It combines my personal interest in space research with my professional activities as a toxicologist. Although presently sometimes considered as “too-out-of-the-box”, I really feel this will become an important topic in future toxicology. I strongly believe this research also contributes to the future of mankind.
How do you create a solid background to get project funding approved?
In my opinion, the success formula depends on four factors, namely the track record of the principal investigator(s), the quality of the project proposal, the impact of the topic and a good portion of luck. Unlike the latter two factors, the first two are in control of the applicant(s), therefore can be easily optimized.
Which advice would you give your younger self if you could meet him?
Go abroad to do research, and never let someone tell you that you are too ambitious or that you need to slow down.
About the interviewer: Julen Sanz Serrano
Julen is a postdoctoral researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, working on in vitro liver toxicity testing of chemicals. He is currently developing a 3D co-culture model to detect cholestasis and, as part of ONTOX, is involved in setting up liver-based in vitro test batteries to detect cholestasis and steatosis. Julen declares that ASPIS Academy provides the optimal network to grow as a scientist, securing collaborations with other early career researchers and furnishing opportunities to learn from senior colleagues.
Email: julen.sanz.serrano@vub.be
ORCID: 0000-0002-0503-2752
ResearcherID: HDO-0434-2022
