Kristie: Hi Sebastian, could you tell us a bit about yourself and what you're researching right now?
Sebastian: Hello, my name is Sebastian Scheich. I'm an attending physician at the University Hospital Frankfurt in the Hematology/Oncology department and my research focus is on lymphoma biology.
K: How did you end up in lymphoma research as a clinician?
S: I'm an MD (Medical Doctor), and I started working in Frankfurt in 2015, in the lymphoma/solid cancer ward, which captivated me far more than the leukemia ward that I rotated through later. That early exposure shaped my direction. I eventually joined Thomas Oellerich's lab and started a project on autophagy in DLBCL. As a clinician, lab research only happens quite a lot in your free time, and a few months off clinical duties is simply not enough. So, I made a clean break and did a full postdoc in Louis Staudt's lab in Bethesda, USA. It was a very fun and educational period. It gave me the time, techniques, and collaborators that weekend research never could and besides, I got to experience the US culture with my family and made some good friends and collaborators. In retrospect, fully committing was the right call.
K: How was the research life for you in the US compared to Germany?
S: That’s a good question. One key difference is that it was less about individual institutes and more about how research is organized overall. In the US, there are many large institutions that concentrate a high density of top scientists in one place, which fosters frequent exchange and a very dynamic research atmosphere. In Germany, excellent researchers are often more geographically distributed, which can make regular interaction and collaboration less immediate.
K: If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self or early-career scientists, what would that be?
S: Oh, that's a good question. If you enjoy science, and you like working in this environment then be brave and open to try things out. This goes for the lab and in your private life. Try things out on the experimental level, play with your cells. Do an experiment but don't tell your PI. If it looks great, then you can tell your PI [laughs]. But also on a personal level, try to go to another country or to another lab, or do some internships to get some other exposure. I think that's what I would suggest.
K: I could not agree more. What is your favorite thing about being a PI?
S: Funny you’re asking. Honestly, it shifted over time. I used to think I’d miss doing bench work myself, but now I get much more out of seeing my team’s data. When someone shows me results from a Western blot or FACS, that confirms a hypothesis, there is a strong feeling of success present. I get to experience it through their work now, and in a way, it’s even more rewarding [laughs].
K: What legacy do you hope to leave behind through your work in science?
S: Oh, that's a big question. Legacy is a strong word, and I think it's something that can only really be judged in hindsight. For now, I simply hope that my research contributes in some way to a better understanding of these aggressive lymphomas and, ultimately, to improved therapies for patients. That's what motivates me.
K: That’s great! Do you have any routines or any rituals that you do that keep you motivated and focused in your work?
S: Um yeah, I like espresso [laughs]. I think that's a ritual. I usually go with some people from the clinic to lunch. Independently of how stressful the day was or is, or how much we have on our schedule, we always make sure to drink an espresso after lunch. This is a time where I try not to think about anything and just be there and enjoy the espresso. It takes like five minutes but that helps me to be focused again.
K: How about hobbies? Where can we find you outside the lab or clinic?
S: I'm a family person. I have three children, and we like to be outside, going hiking. I have a seven-, five- and two-year-old. So, the youngest goes in the back carrier while the other two kids walk by themselves. I really enjoy this time with my family, being in nature and exploring helps us to free up some mind space.
Also, I like barbecuing. It’s something I brought back from the US. I learned how to season meat and then cook it on the grill with friends and family. So yeah, that’s another hobby [laughs].
K: Okay I have two bonus questions from your students: why did you decide to become a CRISPR expert, and any funny lab fails?
S: Great questions. Firstly, because CRISPR is such a versatile tool. There are several types of CRISPR screens you can do to systematically study gene function across the whole genome. That’s something I always found very satisfying, especially compared to working with for example incomplete datasets in proteomics.
Secondly, there are definitely some lab fails. I remember doing Western blots in Lou’s lab with a different machine and I kept transferring the proteins to the wrong side of the sandwich. It took me two or three times to realize what was going wrong. That was maybe a little embarrassing [laughs].
K: Haha. Western blotting can be humbling. Sebastian, thank you so much for chatting with me. It was really inspiring to hear about your journey and motivations.
S: Thank you for having me, Kristie. Have a great day!
This interview was conducted and written by Kristie Bariboloka, M.Sc
