About us

Aidan studied Zoology at Cambridge in the UK worked there as a research assistant. He then moved to Heidelberg, Germany, for his PhD in computational biology at EMBL. After working in publishing for a year, Aidan returned to EMBL for ten years, working on research, training, and community building.  He then worked remotely for the Earlham Institute in the UK for several years, including several years as the ELIXIR-UK Node Coordinator, before starting with EMBO Solutions in 2020.  

Aidan started planning and running courses during his PhD, teaching and organising many more after his return to EMBL. In that time, he became more interested in how we organise and collaborate in science. Correspondingly, his work moved to focus more on people skills associated with delivering, facilitating, and leading inclusive successful fulfilling research. This makes his interests and skills a great fit for his work at EMBO Solutions. 

Aidan loves spending time with his partner, his dog, his cat, his friends and family, sleeping, eating, playing games, and painting. 

Céline completed her PhD in molecular biology at the University of Montpellier, characterising host immunodominant antigens to fight dog babesiosis, a parasitic disease caused by a unicellular Apicomplexan parasite. She further developed her post-doctoral career on malaria parasites working at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in Cambridge, UK and Instituto de Medicina Molecular in Lisbon, Portugal. Céline was an editor and senior editor of the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine for over 9 years.

In 2020, Céline joined the EMBO Lab Leadership training team and has since thrived, helping early career researchers and group leaders develop their transferable and scientific skills.

Céline’s top two values are Caring and Knowledge. She aspires to be, and wishes to interact with, people who are authentic and respectful, who take responsibility and demonstrate fairness in their interactions with others. Céline is passionate about continuous learning—especially from others—and enjoys applying new knowledge to be more creative while having fun at work. 

Elan completed her PhD in applied mathematics at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.  This was followed by two post-doctoral positions at the Dresden University of Technology and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg.  She collaborated with biologists to develop mathematical models on molecular processes governing calcium signalling, ion-channel regulation and circadian rhythms.  Elan has also taught mathematics and English at the International School Neustadt before joining the EMBO Lab Leadership team. 

Elan joined EMBO Lab Leadership in 2024 and brings her experience in adapting and connecting with people across all ages and cultures and her passion for supporting, motivating and developing young minds to her work.

Elan’s undergraduate degree was in Latin, Old English and Medieval Icelandic, so should a course ever require it, she is well-placed for time travel.

Natalie trained as a biochemist in Toronto, Canada. She completed her PhD at the University of Toronto and conducted her research at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). During her PhD, Natalie used X-ray crystallography and enzymology to investigate exopolysaccharide production systems of bacteria and fungi. She then moved to the University of Dundee, Scotland, where she held a EMBO Long-term Fellowship to researching bacterial biofilms. While working in Dundee, Natalie chaired the School of Life Science Research Staff Association.

In 2023, Natalie moved to Heidelberg to work with the EMBO Lab Leadership team, leading workshops for scientist with the goal of empowering them in their leadership roles. 

Natalie has 19 years of training and a 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She also was an instructor and played a role in curriculum development and instructor training. This is where she “caught-the-bug” for leadership and personal empowerment. 

Sam was awarded his PhD in plant molecular biology by the University of East Anglia in the UK. In 2007, he joined EMBO Reports as Assistant Features Editor; a role in which he could pursue his interest in the broader impact of research. Over the nine years he worked for EMBO, he developed his project management, leadership, and interpersonal skills, and was eventually appointed Publishing Manager at EMBO Press to coordinate journal projects and manage stakeholders.

In 2017, he joined EMBO Solutions as the company’s first full time trainer and has worked since then to enhance the positive impact of the EMBO Lab Leadership course.

Sam’s guiding values are curiosity and kindness; principles that he brings into all of his work. He is a father and husband, an avid reader of fiction, a committed listener of podcasts, and a reluctant walker of dogs.

Martin completed his studies at the University of Hull, UK and worked in London before relocating to Germany over 25 years ago to work for the Administration at EMBL for a few years before joining the events team in the European Headquarters of SAS (a software company in Heidelberg), followed by a short stint in an event agency in Stuttgart. He then started his EMBO journey playing an instrumental part in the organisation of The EMBO Meeting and the then EMBO Lab Management courses. After The EMBO Meeting series came to an end in 2016, Martin worked in the communications department of the Max Planck Foundation.

Martin is now back with the EMBO Lab Leadership training group to support the team as our administrator, keeping the wheels turning behind the scenes.       

Yvonne began her professional journey as a Research Technician at the University Clinic of Heidelberg’s Institute for Human Genetics and the University Clinic of Frankfurt’s Institute of Forensic Medicine. Her research path led her to the Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona before returning to Germany to work at EMBL Heidelberg. For a decade, she managed the Training Labs, transforming scientific training into an engaging experience. During the lockdown, Yvonne developed an interest in digital learning, becoming an E-Learning Manager. In 2023, she joined the EMBO Lab Leadership team as a Digital Learning and Project Manager. 

Currently, she is focused on implementing digital tools to streamline workflows and build a robust digital infrastructure, preparing the ground for future e-learning initiatives. Outside of work, Yvonne finds creative release in soap-making—a hobby that offers her a moment of calm.

Inspired by RuPaul’s quote, “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?”, she approaches both personal growth and teamwork with this philosophy in mind.