Meet the ReO members! Episode 11 - Caroline Vandevyver
© Caroline Vandevyver
Meet the ReO members! is a series aimed at introducing the EPFL Research Office members. Meet Caroline Vandevyver, Head of the Research Office, in the eleventh episode!
How would you describe yourself in a few words?
As a scientist, my interests focus on bio-medical research especially in the field of auto-immune diseases and cancer treatments via immunotherapy. I very much like teaching and management tasks in general and in relation to research funding.
What has been your career path?
After obtaining my PhD in Biotechnology at the K.U. Leuven, I joined the Biomedical Research Institute “Dr. L. Willems‐Instituut” at the University of Hasselt, first as Department Head of Clinical Chemistry and later as Department Head of Biotechnology Unit and Member of the Board. When we moved to Switzerland, I interrupted my scientific career for three years for family reasons. In 2000, I started my career at EPFL, first as a scientist in the Laboratory of Chemical Biotechnology (under Prof. Ruth Freitag), and later in the Laboratory of Lanthanide Supramolecular chemistry (under Prof. Jean-Claude Bünzli). I joined EPFL’s Central Services in 2005 as coordinator of the Research Commission Office SNSF-EPFL, and in 2013 as coordinator of the International Team of the Research Office. I was nominated Head of the Research Office in 2017.
What does a “Head of Unit” do at the EPFL Research Office?
My daily tasks include the support of the ReO team in the promotion of third party research and mobility funding opportunities for EPFL’s scientific community, as well as follow-up on grant signature and implementation. As the PI of several COFUND Fellowship programmes, I seek - with the help of the Project Officers at ReO - perfect implementation of these EU-funded fellowship schemes at our institution and the building of a community of fellows.
What is driving you in your job?
I believe science is done with and for society. In this regard, it is very gratifying to be able to assist EPFL’s very active research community in finding funding for their research and to help junior scientists in finding funding for mobility.
What are the main challenges you are facing on a daily basis?
Staying knowledgeable in a global research funding landscape isn’t easy. And of course, the current non-association to the Horizon Europe programme, and the geopolitical situation in general, makes the job even more challenging!
Outside EPFL, what do you enjoy doing the most?
I love spending time with my family (growing in number …). To relax, I enjoy reading, walking and knitting (not necessary in this order).
What are your life and/or career aspirations?
Becoming the best grandma ever.