A passion is a thing you talk about, not something you keep secret.
Over the years, we have come to realise that a lot of driven scientists were struggling to share their passion and their vast knowledge, even with their close colleagues. Because enthusiastic experts are delightful to learn from, we created SamSpeaksScience to empower scientists to unleash their - too often confined - knowledge and passion. Science is a beautiful discipline, a noble endeavor that the world - not just a happy few - should benefit from. In a time where facts have become untrustworthy for some, it is important to know how to have an impactful discourse about science and scientific knowledge.
Dr Sam Lagier
Dr. Samuel Lagier
Training
In a workshop I love creating a supportive group dynamic that allows attendees to work together, to observe and learn from each other. Even online, my trainings are highly interactive and hands-on; I believe that learning is most effective through practice. I design and deliver in-person, synchronous & asynchronous online and blended trainings.
I have worked with numerous Swiss and European academic institutions (EPFL, ETH, HES-SO, UNIBAS, UNIGE, UNIL, UZH, University of Lyon, Mazaryk University, CEITEC…), but also with companies (Lilly, Medworld, PeakMedicals, Medtronic, Frontiers Media) and international organizations (UNICEF, ICRC, WEF).
Coaching
One-on-one sessions allow me to delve into the knowledge of an expert - a highly stimulating experience. I have worked with researchers from all over Europe in their preparation for job talks, national and ERC grant interviews and for public engagement events.
Interface Art/Science
Interesting things happen at the interface... Over the years, I have contributed to a number of projects with The Catalyst. Past projects include science film hackathons (SciFilmIt), an escape game in a museum, a play, science-improv shows...
Acting & improv
I have acted in films, scripted plays and in a large number of improvised comedy shows. I am a founding member of the Geneva-based Renegade Saints and a current member of the Cambridge University Science Improv group. I have performed in museums, theatres, pubs, festivals… I have also co-developed a multi-level curriculum for the Renegade Saints’ improv classes and a curriculum for improv drop-ins at CERN.
Research
How does our brain interpret our environment? How are photons, smells, air pressure waves transformed into electric signals to create meaningful perceptions? I have studied olfaction and hearing, at the molecular level, local neuronal network and large ensemble level to try to answer those questions. I had the thrill to hear neurons fire action potentials in real-time with both in vitro and in vivo electrophysiological recordings ; with fluorescence in vivo imaging I saw the brain of a mouse literally light up with each breath as it smelled banana. In my last couple of years in a lab, I became interested in sensory perception in the context of schizophrenia. What if the inability to concentrate was coming from a deficit in filtering out irrelevant sensory stimuli?
I started my research as a PhD student at the Pasteur Institute, did a first post-doc at the Rockefeller University in New-York and a second post-doc at the University of Geneva.
I have an H index of 8 (list of publications here).
Education
Student at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS Ulm, Paris)
MSc in Neuropharmacology, ENS - Univ. Paris 7
PhD in Neuroscience, University Paris 6
Language
English (fluent)
French (native speaker)
Collaborations
Amy Carroll, CarrollCoaching
The wonderful Lampyres consortium
Robbie I’Anson Price, Bees In Rain
Alexandre Pinault, BigBangBrain
Hedwig Ens
Hedwig Ens
Intellectual Access
I firmly believe in making science open and accessible for all through the power of stories. After having worked at the University of Zurich as an evolutionary ecologist on the interplay between ecology and evolution, I shortly dabbled into the world of science communication as a science writer and editor. It is then that I realized the importance of people having intellectual access to all the stories created by scientists. I decided to take it one step further – why not accept the challenge of giving children intellectual access to the world of science as well? I therefore turned to science publishing by working for the journal Frontiers for Young Minds, a non-profit open access journal with science for kids, edited by kids.
Science-Driven Media
There are so many ways in which to tell a story. With a background in classical music and ballet, it didn’t surprise me that I got hooked by The Catalyst – a science entertainment collective creating diverse media to communicate science. Over the years, I’ve built with them a solid background in (applied) improvisation theatre. I am performing in their monthly improvisation shows with a science twist, and I am responsible for the organisation of the weekly open training sessions. The Catalyst keeps providing me with opportunities to explore new science-driven media: I developed an escape game in a museum, supported the creation of a science play, and was involved as a mentor in several science film hackathons.
Public Speaking
When Sam approached me in 2021 to join SamSpeaksScience to help train doctoral students in public speaking, I knew that this was a fascinating next step that combined my different career paths and interests. As a public speaking trainer, I am proud to foster a safe space for students to collaboratively discover the story within their science. Having work experiences in both academia and the publishing industry, and with my knowledge of improvisation theatre, I can provide my students with accessible tools to deliver their powerful stories in an engaging way. How can I help you tell your story?