In this episode, you can take a walk in the shoes of Prof. Cecilia Sahlgren, whose curiosity led her to the fascinating world of cell communication and Notch signalling, even asking: “Can we repair a broken heart with Notch?”. She never envisioned becoming a scientist - yet today, she says it’s the best job in the world.

From Finland to Sweden and the Netherlands, now Cecilia Sahlgren is a part-time Associate Professor at the TU/e Department of Biomechanical Engineering (Soft Tissue Engineering & Mechanobiology group) and Professor of Cell Biology at Åbo Akademi University in Turku, Finland.

Her research explores how cells make decisions, how their microenvironment shapes tissue formation, and how this knowledge can be used to tackle diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disorders. She is also pioneering micro-tissue development, creating models that mimic real human tissues and conditions. Prof. Sahlgren also leads the EU-funded Nap4DIVE project, developing non-animal models for studying nanoparticle drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier.

🎧 Tune in to hear Prof. Sahlgren’s views on cultural diversity and leadership in international teams, what she looks for in postdocs, and her reflections on bias and inequality in academia. Though she recognizes the barriers many women face in science, she has never allowed them to disturb her path and now leads with awareness, empathy, and example.

This episode was produced by AMIRES, the consulting company for research, development and innovation projects. "In Her Shoes" podcast, uncovers the journey and life of women in science 👩‍🔬 and is hosted by @Jana Mwangi