Who are the scientists at the ZNZ? In this new series initiated by the ZNZ Gender Equality Committee, two scientists talk about their motivation, inspiration and how they manage the “Work / Life balance”.
Prof. Dr. med. Ruxandra Bachmann-Gagescu, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, UZH
Ruxandra has more than one string to her bow. Trained as a medical doctor specialized in pediatry in Geneva, 
she completed the medical genetics residency at the University of Washington. She is combining her clinical activities with her other passion: developmental biology. She studies human ciliopathies using human genetics and the zebrafish model. She balances her work at the clinic and in the lab with her family: a full-time working academic husband and three children.
What motivates you to get up every morning?
Now that the children have grown up and don’t drag me out of bed before daybreak anymore, I’m happy to get up because I know “the day will be just packed” (paraphrased from Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes book). There’s always something new to learn and discover, in the lab, with the students, or with the patients. I’m never bored and the days just zip by!
Who inspired you in your career path?
I have chosen my career path mostly through my fascination for embryology and genetics as a young medical student. It was later during my training that I had the chance of being mentored by wonderful scientists. In particular during my first lab experience, I was mentored by Cecilia Moens, a developmental biologist who introduced me to the zebrafish model system. Her scientific integrity and passion for science were very inspiring and her family life provided a great role model.
How do you balance your personal life and your work?
Finding the balance in juggling 3 children, my research and my clinical activity, with a husband who’s also a full-time academic, certainly feels challenging at times! It helps a lot that my husband and I share all daily duties at home equally. Flexibility in the schedule also makes a big difference (no 8am or 6pm meetings for example) and flexible child-care solutions are very helpful.
What is your philosophy in life?
Of all the sources providing pieces of wisdom that resonate with me, I will cite Bill Watterson’s books again: „There’s magic everywhere“. I try hard not to lose the enthusiasm of childhood and to continue seeing things with a fresh eye. Lost in everyday hassles and administration, it’s all too easy to become blasé and tired. But if you look at things the right way, you can gain something from most experiences and when you have as many opportunities as we do in Switzerland, you should be able to make the most of it!
Prof. Theofaris Karayannis Assistant Professor at the Brain Research Institute, UZH.
Theofaris’ path led him from studying Neuropharmacology in Athens, to investigating 
interneurons at the University of Oxford for his PhD. After his Postdoc at New York University, he came back to Europe and is currently Assistant Professor at the Brain Research Institute focusing on neural circuit formation in health and disease. Alongside his research and administrative duties as co-director of the Institute, Theo is a happy father and would never give up quality time with his family.
What motivates you to get up every morning?
First of all my family. Also, it may sound cliché, but I am really drawn by scientific pursuit and the quest to unearth some principles of the organization of life, and specifically the brain.
Who inspired you in your career path?
There are a plethora of people and their works that inspired me to choose this path, some contemporaries and some past figures. In terms of contemporaries, the late author and psychiatrist George Chimonas and the psychiatrist Thanassis Tzavaras, whose lectures I audited while I was an undergraduate student. In addition and even though this is not a comprehensive list, I was inspired by the works of Wernicke, Broca, von Economo, Hughlings Jackson, Cajal, Sherrington, Katz, Miledi, Kandel, Mountcastle, Hubel, Wiesel, Gazzaniga, Somogyi, as well as many others.
How do you balance your personal life and your work?
It is a challenging task and I just try to coordinate as best as I can with my spouse about practical issues, and importantly, to spend quality time with my family. Our job allows for some flexibility, which is a great asset.
What is your philosophy in life?
Strive for the best; be excited and inspired by life and its wonders. Be inclusive and appreciative of what you have. It always feels good to help and contribute positively to other people’s lives.
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