How do you take over the leadership of an organization such as Vaccinopolis? That’s what we ask the professors Paolo Palma and Pierre Van Damme, who are currently working there together as co-scientific directors. Prof. Van Damme is gradually passing the baton to prof. Palma, who will take over as director over a period of 2-3 years, while expanding the team’s scope with his immunology expertise. In this conversation, they discuss their roles and what lies ahead for both of them.
Hello, prof. Van Damme and prof. Palma. Right now you are working in parallel, so prof. Palma can take the position of director of Vaccinopolis in the future from prof. Van Damme. How is this working out?
VD: We are in a transition period where we both are co-scientific directors. Gradually Paolo will take over all of my responsibilities. At the University of Antwerp I have the possibility to continue working as an emeritus professor for a number of years, till the maximum age of 70. So, I can work together with Paolo and the team and transfer duties gradually, some to the team (to Professors De Coster, prof Maertens, Vorsters and Theeten), and some to Paolo.. I believe ending abruptly is good for no-one. Increasingly others will take over from me.
P: We share an office, which allows us to learn a lot of things from each other. We are already introducing each other to each other’s networks. For example, our faculty has just approved a collaboration to happen with the University of Rome, where I come from. We are building a joint educational and research programme.
Prof. Van Damme, why did you and your team choose prof. Palma as the next director, and prof. Palma, why did you choose for Vaccinopolis?
VD: Paolo has, as pediatrician and vaccinologist, also a strong background in immunology, which is something we consider as an added dimension in our team and research. Up until now, we had a bigger emphasis on public health. Apart from that, our center has been working for years with healthy adults, but we also want to focus on elderly, mostly immune-compromised populations. Paolo is already applying for this kind of additional vaccine studies, so the bigger scope Paolo brings to the team is really an added value.
P: I applied for this position because Vaccinopolis is a unique environment, at the moment it’s the largest clinical research facility for vaccine studies in Europe. It’s very nice to play a role in this project and to – literally – contaminate it with my vision.
The first human challenge studies at Vaccinopolis is going to take place in the summer. What will this look like?
VD: Test persons are going to stay at Vaccinopolis for two weeks, where they will get contaminated with a low dose of the flu virus and we will follow the whole immunological process, also at mucosal level. Recruitment of potential volunteers for this study didn’t start yet , but this will happen soon. The principal investigator will be dr. Joren Rijmenants, who recently joined us as postdoc FWO, and will conduct the study under our supervision.
Although you won’t be gone from Vaccinopolis and the university just yet, I can imagine at least a bit of free time will open up. What are you planning to do, prof. Van Damme?
VD: I have many other plans! First of all, it has been my dream for a very long time to learn a new language, Russian in particular. That’s because of the activities I still have at the World Health Organization in Europe. A lot of the member states are Russian speaking and I always dreamed of being able to talk in their language when I have missions in that area. Although I know today that would maybe not be seen as a popular choice.
Second, I would like to become a guide in the city of Antwerp, but that training tis rather time consuming, so that will come as soon I have more free time Third, I would like to garden more, something I am already doing quite a lot, and finally I will start art academy over 2 or 3 years.
Prof. Palma, you have lived in Antwerp for a bit more than four months now. How is it to live here?
P: I come from Rome, a very big city. It’s nice that I am able to go everywhere with my bike in Antwerp. I also live just outside the city in a very pleasant neighbourhood, a 25 minute bike ride from Vaccinopolis. As a PhD student I already stayed in Stockholm, so I am already a bit used to how the cold winters here can be like. I knew what to expect. So far, so good, I woud stay!
What do you admire in each other?
P: I admire his leadership style. He never upsets anyone, which says a lot. He was a pioneer in his field, now it’s normal to do vaccine studies like this, but that has long not been the case. What existed before in the field of vaccine studies in Europe was old or smaller. Vaccinopolis is new in every way.
VD: I admire his enthusiasm, and warm personality. He is a good listener, which is crucial to build a good relation with everyone here at Vaccinopolis. And of course, his expertise in the field of immunology.
Prof. Van Damme, what is your advice to prof. Palma?
VD: Enjoy life and enjoy the work, continue doing it the way you are doing, with enthousiasm and listening to people. It’s important that you feel well at work, because you spend at least 8 hours there every day.