Marcel during his time at the NKI, and Marcel today.
Nineteen years ago, after completing his PhD research, Marcel van Vugt left the Netherlands Cancer Institute, which was just around the corner from where he lived. After five years and plenty of work experience in Utrecht, Cambridge (MA), and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), he made his way to Groningen, where he now has the title of full professor in Molecular Oncology. He still loves the world of science every day, although there have been moments of doubt along the way.
“I feel very fortunate and happy to be able to do this work. It never gets old. The best part is that I get to conduct research with a group of amazing young people and that I can combine my research with teaching, and that I have the opportunity to contribute to our oncological research strategy. Research genuinely is a lot of fun: analyzing new results together, discussing the implications, meeting many people, traveling…”
“I'm married and have three children. I enjoy playing sports, and we're always working on DIY projects around the house. Our first child was born a few months before my thesis defense, which was a hectic time. Even now, there are moments when my work-life balance is a bit off, especially when I’m facing important deadlines. I’m only able to travel for work because my wife manages to take care of everything at home while I’m away. So yes, my job is demanding, but there's also room for flexibility. I believe that it's important to make the most out of life, with respect for others.”