The brain is like a universe of its own, full of mysteries and discoveries that inspire us every day. My job is to bring these scientific stories to the world in an engaging way. (Text continues below).
Everyone has a brain of their own. Communicating about brain research should be simple, right? This is what I thought when I started as Public outreach officer at the Donders Institute. I quickly learned otherwise.
We live in an era where quick, measurable results dominate politics and public discourse. Investments must show short-term returns to be justified. But what I have learned is that science thrives on patience and perseverance. Without basic research, diving into the unkown, important discoveries would not be possible. Hearing aids for example, would not exist if earlier scientists had not mapped out the ear’s workings before. Basic science provided the foundation on which the houses of innovation are built.
Science communication is not always easy. Topics such as animal research, for example, can provoke resistance. The choice of such research is always a careful consideration, driven by urgency and necessity. Animal research plays a vital role in vaccine development and safety testing. This example reminds how important it is to keep the bigger picture in mind and appreciate why some research is necessary for the safety and health of us all.
What motivates me most is curiosity. Occasionally, I am stunned by the incredible findings like being able to make blind people see again, paralysed people communicate again, AI, robotics and large language models. At the same time, I am amazed to learn about societal challenges I never considered, like the enormous impact of low literacy. Every day I learn something new about the mysterious world between our ears and I wish more people knew about it. Within this leading institute, beautiful stories are there for the taking.
I hope this exhibition in the Brain Museum shows you that science is much more than numbers and data - it is stories of people, driven by curiosity and passion for knowledge. We discover, learn and share to move forward together.
Would you like to contribute yourself? You can! By sharing your experiences about the Brain Museum with your friends or by participating in one of our experiments. I myself have had the opportunity to experience some cool research: you can try out racing chairs, operate robotic arms, go into an MRI scanner to experience what it is like to play a role in science yourself. That way, you will contribute to knowledge about the brain in a unique way and help our researchers gain new insights. Feel invited to join in and further tell the story of the Donders Institute and our research.
People of Donders
Behind every scientific discovery lies a story. A story of scientists and staff driven by curiosity and perseverance. What motivates them to delve into the complex world of the brain day in and day out? What continues to fascinate them? What challenges do they face? And what does their work mean to them personally? In the People of Donders series you will meet the people behind the science, discover their passions, and learn what they think is most fascinating about our brains.