Can you share a brief overview of your academic journey and what led you to pursue this path?

I did my Master´s degree in Experimental Biology at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic, then moved to Denmark in 2019 to join DANDRITE (Nykjær lab) as a research assistant. I became a PhD student in 2020, defended in 2024, and stayed briefly at DANDRITE as a postdoc. I have always been interested in becoming a scientist. Ever since I read the Crichton´s Jurassic Park, I wanted to be able to clone my own dinosaur :-) Later, my passion for owning a prehistoric creature turned into something more practical, which was using research to help patients with neuropsychiatric disorders – a topic I pursuit for the past five years.

What were the highlights of your PhD, and why do they stand out?

The absolute highlight was the amazing people I met. The colleagues who became lifelong friends and a network I know I can always count on. I´ve always felt a strong sense of community at DANDRITE, because even when people leave, the connections remain.

A close second would be my research internship in the USA (SD), where I learned a cutting-edge Breasi CRISPR technique and met real-life cowboys, which was quite fun for someone from the Central Europe!

How did you overcome challenges in your career, and what key lessons have you learned?

Like many others, doing PhD abroad during the Covid-19 pandemic was a big challenge in itself. But looking back, I was actually lucky in many ways, because I didn’t face some of the common issues like failed or uninteresting projects.

My biggest challenge, in hindsight, was my own mindset. I was very focused on “my path” and, at times, I dismissed opportunities that didn’t seem directly relevant to it. If I could go back, I’d try to be more open and more curious about what’s happening outside my specific area. I wish I had taken more interdisciplinary courses and spent more time building a broader network.

The biggest lesson I learned is don’t get too caught up in the straight line. Some of the most valuable learning and connections happened to me when I step a little to the side.

How did collaborations and mentorship at DANDRITE shape your career?

DANDRITE offers a strong scientific network, both within Denmark and internationally. I always felt that if I had chosen to stay in academia, there would have been a lot of support available, from mentors, collaborators, and the broader scientific community.

That said, since I decided to take a different path and move into consulting, I had to figure out a lot of things on my own. It was a big shift, and there wasn’t a clear roadmap. Still, the collaborative mindset I experienced at DANDRITE helped me feel confident reaching out, asking questions, and building new networks outside of science. In that way, the DANDRITE as a community shaped how I approach things, even beyond research.

What skills or experiences from DANDRITE have been most valuable in your current role?

Beyond the obvious scientific skills, such as diligence, critical thinking, and integrity, some of the most valuable experiences came from outside the lab. During my time at DANDRITE, I was actively involved in many volunteer activities, including YoDa, the Festival of Research, and organizing multiple EMBL Young Investigator Meetings (YIM) in Aarhus and abroad.

These experiences taught me how to manage projects, navigate complex tasks, reach out and collaborate with new people - skills I now use daily in my role as a consultant. Volunteering also helped me grow more confident in networking and public engagement.

I would recommend everybody to get involved. Step outside the lab. Volunteer. You never know who you’ll meet or what opportunities might arise. Many of them can shape your career in unexpected and rewarding ways.

Can you describe your current role and what excites you most about it?

I work as a Life Science Consultant at Astora Consulting in Copenhagen, where we support pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies with digital transformation, regulatory compliance, and process optimization.

What I love most about my job is the variety. No two days look the same. One day I might be deep into mapping out a process for pharmacovigilance reporting, and the next I’m designing a test case for validation of software supporting clinical trials. I get to dive into complex problems, learn about different parts of the life sciences industry, and figure out how to make things work a little bit better.

It also keeps me on my toes. Each client, each project, each team is different. So, I’m constantly learning and adapting. That mix of challenge, learning, and collaboration is really what keeps me excited. I feel like I’m building something meaningful, even if it’s from behind the scene.

How has your time at DANDRITE influenced your approach to research and science?

I’m incredibly grateful for the five years I spent at DANDRITE. It gave me opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Both in terms of doing high-quality research and being part of a vibrant, international scientific community.

Even though I don’t work in research anymore, that time deeply shaped how I think. It taught me how to ask the right questions, be critical of data, stay curious, and not be afraid to dive into complex problems. It also gave me a solid foundation for thinking in a structured, analytical, and open-minded way. And that’s something I carry with me every day, no matter the field I work in.

Where do you see yourself professionally in five years?

I don’t see myself going back to the lab. I’ve learned that I’m not the kind of person who thrives by focusing all my energy on one small detail for years. What really motivates me is seeing the bigger picture; connecting ideas, solving problems, and helping others move things forward.

Working as a consultant has been a great fit, because I get to use my scientific background in a broader way. That drive to improve patient outcomes is still very much present, I just tackle things from a different angle than I imagined when I started my PhD. In five years, I hope to be leading complex projects, and maybe even mentoring others who are just starting out. I’ve found a path that challenges and inspires me, and I’m excited to keep growing in this direction.

What advice would you give to others pursuing an academic career in Denmark?

Denmark is a fantastic place to pursue a PhD. From a pragmatic perspective, PhD students are considered a full-time employee with a competitive salary. This means fewer financial worries and more focus on your research. Given the size of Denmark, it is also easier to take advantage of strong neuroscience community, especially with a financial support from major companies such as Lundbeck or Novo Nordisk or many small private foundations.

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