This month’s Fireside Chat features an interview with the two new members of the WCMM communication team; Oksana Tymoshchuk (Lundgaard Lab) and Alejandro Garcia Garcia (Bourgine Lab).
| Can you tell us a little about your scientific background and what brought you to WCMM Lund?
Alejandro: "My background is in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, combining biomaterials and stem cells to understand how biology works and how we can recreate functional tissues. I came to WCMM Lund because it offers a unique interdisciplinary environment that connects basic biology with translational research, an ideal place to advance this kind of work. And of course, I was also very inspired by the work of my PI, Paul Bourgine!"
Oxana: "I came to WCMM Lund by accident — because of the war that began in Ukraine, I had to leave my country and I found this position. I completely changed my previous research area and scientific focus, but I am very happy about it. It has been a very useful and interesting experience for my future career and has given me many wonderful opportunities for growth.
I am especially thankful to my supervisor, Iben Lundgaard, who supported me during a very difficult time in my life. She opened up new and exciting opportunities for me and showed me a completely different scientific world.
Now, together with my team, I study the glymphatic system, and we are working to develop new approaches for the treatment of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases."
| If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Alejandro: "Curious, collaborative, and persistent."
Oxana: "Hardworking, curious, and persistent."
| What are you most excited about working with communication at WCMM Lund?
Alejandro: "I’m most excited about getting to know the people at WCMM and learning what other scientists are working on across different fields. It’s inspiring to be part of a community with such diverse expertise, and I’m looking forward to the informal exchanges and collaborations that can spark new ideas. Being surrounded by talented researchers and having the chance to discuss science from different perspectives is something I really value."
Oxana: "I am most excited about having the chance to work at one of the best universities in the world, which is ranked among the top 100. It’s amazing to see the differences between my home university in Ukraine and Lund University, and I hope to share the experience and new knowledge with Ukrainian universities as well.
It’s truly inspiring to be part of WCMM and to collaborate with such clever, creative, and unique people from different fields."
What’s one idea you’d love to try in science communication at WCMM?
Alejandro: "I’d love to start a podcast that helps share science with a broader audience while giving recognition to the scientists behind the work. The idea would be to highlight not only the research but also the people, showing that scientists are human, with curiosity, challenges, and stories that make their work come alive."
Oxana: "I have an amazing idea for collaboration between WCMM and Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University in Ukraine. I would love to develop a student exchange program that would give Ukrainian medical students the opportunity to study and work at Lund University — to learn modern technologies and laboratory methods, and then bring that knowledge back to Ukraine after the war ends."