Prof. Dr. Lucie Carrier

Professor of Functional Genomics of Cardiomyopathies

Was hat Ihr Interesse an einer wissenschaftlichen Karriere bzw. Ihr Berufsfeld geweckt?

During my PhD in Grenoble, I attended a meeting in France where was presented the discovery of dystrophin as the disease gene for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This impressed me so much that I wanted to invest in the field of genetics. During my postdoctoral period in Paris, I contributed to earliest genetic analysis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and the identification of the first genetic variant in one of the components of the cardiac sarcomere. Later on, we developed mouse models for the disease and provide a proof-of-concept study that gene replacement therapy can prevent on the long term the development of cardiomyopathy in mice, paving the way towards human application.

Wollten Sie schon immer Professorin werden?

Of course, not. It became slowly but surely an evidence during my career development. In France, I studied biology to become a biology teacher. But during my bachelor and master, I started to be interested in research and decided to do a PhD. Then, as I absolutely wanted to perform research in genetics, I move to Paris, where they started genetic analysis for cardiomyopathies. I received a permanent position as researcher from the centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) in 1993, my habilitation to direct research in 2000,and became a Director of Research in 2002 in Paris. I became professor in UKE in 2011.

Was begeistert Sie als Professorin noch immer?

I am always excited by new ideas, novel discoveries and also to get always new students to lead or to teach to. I also like to see the motivation of young scientists from different training (medical, molecular life science, pharmacy and biology...) and different countries. I also like the interactions and collaborations between scientists with complementary expertise within the institute of Pharmacology, the UKE and also worldwide.

Was gefällt Ihnen an der Arbeit als Professorin?

Research, teaching my passion, team leading, cooperation and scientific meeting. I really like my job.

Was gefällt Ihnen nicht ganz so gut an Ihrer Arbeit?

Gab es kritische Phasen im Laufe Ihrer Karriere, und wie sind Sie damit umgegangen?

I was educated in France, where there were no concerns on how to manage family and job. I always worked full time and paid for care for my two kids. Of course, this was not always easy... When I moved to Hamburg, I was already established as a scientist with my subjects and I had to start all new (team, models, materials, grant applications...)... The main challenge was the language, but in science most people speak and write in English. I think that I was not afraid for change, I was in general positive and thought that there is always a solution to a problem.

Welches sind die Schwerpunkte Ihrer Forschung?

Genetics, Pathophysiology and Therapy of Cardiomyopathy.

Muss man sich, Ihrer Meinung nach schon in einer sehr frühen Karrierephase dafür entscheiden, den Weg zur Professur einzuschlagen?

In the German system, I think yes, because this is a long way to. On the other hand,young scientists must ask themselves the following questions: 1) do I want to be principal investigator, i.e writing grant applications, scientific manuscripts? 2) do I want to teach? 3) do I want to present in conferences? and importantly as well do I want to lead a team?

Wie würden Sie die Vereinbarkeit ihres Berufes mit Freizeit und Familie einschätzen?

Work-family balance is a better definition that work-life balance, because work is part of our life. As I said above, I think the balance depends on each individual, and there are means to help for child care if we accept that others participate in their education and development.

Erzählen Sie uns gerne kurz von einem ganz besonderen Moment in Ihrer Karriere.

I applied for a Marie Curie Excellent Team Grant in 2004. The grant was dedicated to Principal investigators who would like to move to another European Country. I applied with a high risk project without too many preliminary data and was selected in the 6%... There are plenty others, including the identification of the first genetic variant in a novel gene for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and, of course, the thesis finalization, publications and any other success of young scientists.

Welche Unterstützungsangebote auf dem Weg zur Professur waren für Sie sehr hilfreich? Gab es eine Person, die Sie inspiriert hat?

My PhD supervisor, who always challenged me with my career path. My postdoctoral supervisor in Paris, Ketty Schwartz, who had a clear view on what is important or not and was an excellent team leader for all of us. She was highly supportive and generous, positive and strong, and she allowed me (and other young scientists) to present instead of her in scientific meetings, which gave me confidence.

Welches sind Ihre zukünftigen Visionen, was wollen Sie im Weiteren erreichen?

I would like to see at least one baby with a severe form of cardiomyopathy to be treated with gene therapy. I would like some of my team members to be able to continue an academic career.

Was würden Sie gerne jungen Wissenschaftlerinnen und Studierenden mit auf den Weg geben?

Do what you like and trust yourself!