18 September 2024 – Celebrating 60 years of EMBO, and of excellence in the life sciences, is a great opportunity to reflect on achievements and look forward to what the future holds.
EMBO was founded in 1964, driven by the vision of eminent scientists to establish the first European organization representing molecular biology. In the following years, they obtained financial support from their national governments. This led to the establishment of the EMBC, the intergovernmental organization that has 31 member states today and currently funds the major EMBO Programmes.
As an EMBO Member since 1999 and EMBO Director since 2022, I’ve seen the EMBO Membership grow to more than 2,100 leading life scientists and thousands of postdoctoral fellows being funded. I’ve witnessed the immense impact of our networks, courses and workshops, and EMBO Press publications on scientific exchange. I’ve observed how EMBO fosters a research environment in which scientists can thrive.
An organization the size of EMBO can be agile and flexible. We are not afraid of exploring diverse ideas and starting “experiments”, such as new funding schemes, training activities or Open Science initiatives. EMBO identifies challenges through constant communication with members of the EMBO community, whether they are EMBO Members or Scientific Exchange Grantees, and strives to respond quickly.
To address two contemporary challenges—environmentally sustainable life sciences research and communication of research outcomes to the public—EMBO has launched two initiatives in its 60th anniversary year: the EMBO Lab Sustainability Award and the Maria Leptin | EMBO Science Journalism Fellowships. We are also in discussions about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the life sciences with key stakeholders including biologists, AI developers, funders, experts in the governance of emerging technologies and publishers.
Many parts of the world are currently experiencing political and financial instability. During this turbulent time, EMBO holds firm to its mission to promote excellence in life sciences in Europe and beyond. It supports life scientists and scientific exchange regardless of nationalities.
Looking ahead, I hope that the EMBO community will continue to diversify, representing the ongoing changes in the world. We will also need to ensure that trust in science is maintained despite the challenges ahead.
EMBO is a wonderful organization, and I feel honoured to lead it. EMBO is 60 years young, and its future looks as exciting and full of promise as it did back in 1964.
