Catching up with ISAPP-SFA Executive Committee Alumni: Career Reflections and Advice
By Cathy Lordan, PhD
In this blog post, we spoke with ISAPP-SFA executive committee alumni Prof. Dr. Ir. Dieter Vandenheuvel and Dr. Mariya Petrova about their time serving on the committee as early career researchers. Now further along in their careers, they reflect on how the experience shaped their professional paths, from developing leadership and organisational skills to building lasting connections with their peers. They also offer thoughtful advice for early career researchers.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Dieter Vandenheuvel
Assistant Professor & Education Coordinator, University of Antwerp
Past ISAPP-SFA Executive Committee Local Organizer & Treasurer
Can you tell us about your role(s) and time on the ISAPP-SFA committee?
I started in the ISAPP-SFA committee as local organizer for the 2019 meeting in Belgium. After the meeting, some of the committee members were leaving and I took over the role of treasurer. I stayed treasurer for a couple of years, bridging the COVID-period until the 2023 meeting in Denver. Being on the committee was fun. At first, it might seem like a big challenge to organize a conference at a place in the world probably not even near to where you are. Still, with working together, some team effort, it all goes very smoothly. And our efforts are really appreciated by the members of ISAPP.
Where are you in your career now, and what path did you take after leaving the SFA executive committee?
At this moment, I am mainly an educational coordinator and part-time appointed as professor molecular biotechnology and genetic engineering. I devote most of my time to teaching, practical trainings, the coordination of courses taught by different professors and even at universities. So mostly education, with some research on the side. This is my ideal job. I enjoy watching my students develop into real scientists and engineers, teaching them how the magical world of the subcellular works, and help them reach their goals. I was extremely lucky that I could stay working at the University of Antwerp, where I was already working during my SFA-time, and could secure my position here as a faculty member, doing what I like to do.
How did the SFA contribute to or influence your career or personal development?
The annual ISAPP-SFA meeting focuses on science rather than education. So, it might seem that being part of the SFA committee didn't really contribute to my career development. However, experience on the committee of in international organization helped showing my organizational talent, research quality, and gave me an international network to rely on. These qualities are important if you want to stay in academia, but they are even more important if you want to look for a job in industry. Being part of an international organization is always an asset!
What's a skill or perspective you gained from being a part of the SFA that you didn't expect would become so valuable later in your career?
So many things, so I will just pick one. I used to be of the impression that real fundamental research was only done at universities. Gaining knowledge for the pure sake of knowledge. Research in industry seemed to be focused solely on profit and product development. Absolutely untrue. At the ISAPP-SFA conference you see a nice mix of industry and academia, both parties actively contributing to the conference. That is something I didn't see at other conferences. The value of this collaboration quickly becomes clear. There is so much interesting research going on at the company level, so many interesting jobs and opportunities there. Your career as a fundamental researcher does not necessarily comes to an end when you go to industry. It's a misconception that still lives in many of our heads. Many of my own peers chose for a career in industry and have obtained a position and responsabilities that I can honestly only be jealous of. So, go look for something that fits your interests, give it your all, and who knows which interesting doors open.
What advice would you give early career SFA researchers?
Connect and be amazed. There is so much cool research out there. It might be far away from your own interests or expertise, but go talk to as many people as you possibly can. It is really easy to connect with junior researchers, just ask a question about their research and you will immediately see their eyes spark. We are all so proud of what we do and we like to talk about it. So just listen to their story and you will be amazed about the cool work everyone is doing. And don't forget, your research is amazing as theirs. If you are too shy to connect to the members of ISAPP (as I was), first of all, don't be. They were in your shoes once and most of them still remember what that was like. They used to have scientific heros too (maybe still do)! So just go for it, or try to find out whether a PhD student of theirs is at the SFA meeting, or ask the SFA board members to introduce you. They have connections to almost all of the people there.
Dr. Mariya Petrova
Probiotics Science Liaison at Winclove Probiotics and additionally Founder and Consultant MiP (Microbiome insights and Probiotics) Consultancy
Past ISAPP-SFA Executive Committee President, Vice-President & Treasurer
Can you tell us about your role(s) and time on the ISAPP-SFA committee?
SFA has been a true journey for me and my first step into ISAPP. My first ISAPP meeting was in 2015, and I instantly fell in love with the event and the community. I’ve attended every meeting since, even online during COVID. From my first interaction with SFA, I knew I wanted to contribute more. I started as Treasurer in 2016, became President in 2017, and later served as Vice President. It wasn’t always easy, but it was incredibly rewarding—I met wonderful colleagues who became lifelong friends.
Where are you in your career now, and what path did you take after leaving the SFA executive committee?
After my time with SFA, my career path naturally evolved beyond academia. I founded MiP (Microbiome Insights and Probiotics), a consultancy supporting companies, including start-ups, in the probiotics and microbiome field, including a short collaboration with ISAPP. This experience broadened my perspective on how science can connect with real-world applications. In 2020, I joined Winclove Probiotics as Senior Science Educator, helping translate complex scientific concepts into accessible language for partners, healthcare professionals, and end users. After five exciting years in that role, I recently transitioned to Probiotics Science Liaison at Winclove, where I serve as a bridge between our R&D and commercial departments and between Winclove and organizations such as ISAPP and IPA.
How did the SFA contribute to or influence your career or personal development?
I truly believe SFA has helped me not only scientifically, but also in developing many important soft skills. Being part of SFA brings you closer to experts in the field — from the ISAPP Board to the invited speakers — in a friendly and open environment that encourages collaboration and conversation with people you might not approach otherwise. Through SFA, I learned about communication, networking, organizing events, evaluating abstracts and posters, and, most importantly, teamwork. It taught me to think outside the box, connect with diverse people, and work together toward shared goals. These experiences built my confidence and created lifelong friendships. Being close to ISAPP also opened many doors for me, including consulting for the organization and later being elected as an IAC representative — a role I valued greatly. Today, my connection with ISAPP continues through my position at Winclove, where I coordinate our company’s involvement with non-profit organizations such as ISAPP. In summary, SFA has been truly instrumental in shaping my career path and personal growth, giving me both the confidence and network to grow into the professional I am today.
What's a skill or perspective you gained from being a part of the SFA that you didn't expect would become so valuable later in your career?
Looking back, three things I gained from SFA turned out to be invaluable: communication, leadership, and networking. Through organizing events and engaging with peers and experts, I learned how to translate complex science into clear, meaningful messages — a skill that became central to my later roles. Leading and collaborating within an international team taught me how to coordinate projects, listen to different perspectives, and inspire others toward shared goals. Most importantly, SFA showed me the real power of networking — building authentic, lasting relationships that continue to support and shape my career today. These experiences not only strengthened my professional skills but also gave me the confidence to navigate diverse roles and environments, from academia to industry.
What advice would you give early career SFA researchers?
I truly wish someone had taught me earlier how important networking is. Without a network, you can feel lost — but with a strong one, doors will open throughout your career. Invest time in getting to know people, not only on a research level but also personally. Don’t be afraid to approach the “big names” — those you might find intimidating. Especially at conferences like ISAPP, it’s easier than you think! Always try to submit an abstract, apply for awards, and take every opportunity to present your work. Even if you don’t succeed the first time, keep trying — persistence is key in research. Along the way, you’ll meet many wonderful people who are happy to help and support you. Build those connections, nurture them, and they will become one of your most valuable assets.