Lenie van den Broek, PhD
Interview with
Doctoral candidate Arthur S. Rodrigues interviews Lenie van den Broek, PhD in a new Women in Science episode.
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What is your scientific background, and current line of work?
I studied Life Science and Technology at Leiden University and TU Delft, completing most of my master’s degree in Delft. During this time, I became increasingly interested in the biological side of the program and went on to pursue a PhD in skin tissue engineering in Amsterdam. From the start, my goal was to move into industry, but I found academia very engaging and completed two postdoctoral positions before ultimately deciding to make the transition. I now work at MIMETAS a biotechnology company, where I am director biology discovery
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Can you recall a moment from your childhood or early education when you first felt a real spark for science?
Not really, as far as I can remember I’ve always had a strong interest in science. For example, even as a young child, I was curious about identifying all types of birds and butterflies.
You’ve worked in both academia and industry. What motivated your move to industry, and what do you see as the main differences between the two?
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I wanted to see more of the practical application of the research I was doing, rather than being busy with setting up a group, and instead work in a team toward a larger goal. It is also easier to stop a project that is not really going anywhere (not always easy for me 🙂). The biggest advantages of my current work are working in a team, the dynamic nature of the work, a strong focus on a goal, and – because Mimetas is not very large – having some influence on the direction we are heading.
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Looking back, which experiences best prepared you for industry and which skills did you have to learn quickly once you made the switch?
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Having a child was, for me, the best preparation for working in industry. It taught me to put life into better perspective, to handle multiple things in parallel, to see life in a less black-and-white way, and to be a better leader, as it helped me better understand and empathize with the situations of others.
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How do you stay motivated and creative in such a fast-paced research environment?
From a young age, I have enjoyed variety and dynamism in life. I like when things change and when days are not entirely predictable. What is important to me, however, is having time to give my mind some rest. That way, I stay creative, which I do by exercising—especially running—although I enjoy almost every sport.
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As a mentor, what kind of guidance or atmosphere do you try to create for your team?
I find it important that people feel safe discussing things with me and admitting their mistakes. Without making mistakes, you cannot learn, and I really enjoy seeing people grow. Most important of all is that we work toward a common goal as a team, and that people enjoy the work they do and the working environment.
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How do you define 'success' in balancing a scientific career with your personal life, and do you feel that definition or the methods to achieve it change when moving from academia to industry?
A good balance is sometimes difficult, because I find both important and enjoyable, and they can occasionally get in each other’s way. It is a success for me when I have time to spend with my children + husband and enjoy it, while also making progress at work and enjoying that as well.
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What leadership quality do you think is often undervalued but especially powerful for women in science and management?
That they listen better and speak less loudly than many men. As a result, women are often less dominant, but they tend to pick up on signals more quickly. Communicating these clearly and firmly afterwards sometimes needs improvement.
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What’s something you wish you had known when you were a PhD student?
I think most things need to be experienced and that the wisest lessons are learned this way. As an early-stage PhD, I wasn’t ready to hear some of these lessons yet. What I realize more and more is that you never know enough and that you will keep learning and adapting all your life.
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If you could tell all leaders and hiring managers one key thing to help them retain and promote talented women in science, what would it be?
Listen to and be open to people who are different from yourself, and ensure diversity in your team so that you can complement each other and learn from one another.