Podcast episode in Global Health Taks featuring Lilly Verhagen: curiosity, resilience and child health

What keeps scientists curious and motivated when experiments fail, papers get rejected or grants are not funded?

In a new episode of Global Health Talks, hosted by Niki Stastny, Lilly Verhagen talks about her work as a paediatrician-scientist and her research on respiratory infections and mucosal immunity in children across different parts of the world.

The conversation explores how scientific questions emerge from clinical practice, why the respiratory mucosa offers exciting opportunities for new diagnostics and interventions, and how research can connect fundamental immunology with better care for children. Lilly also reflects on curiosity, resilience and the importance of continuing to ask questions when research does not go according to plan.

One analogy runs throughout the conversation: science as a puzzle. From studying respiratory infections in different populations to understanding how antibodies behave differently at the respiratory mucosa than in blood, each study adds another piece, sometimes answering a question and often generating new ones.

The episode also offers a more personal perspective on a career in science: what keeps you going, how do you deal with setbacks, and why is it worth pursuing ideas that take you off the beaten track?

Listen to the full episode of Global Health Talks: “What keeps scientists going? On curiosity, resilience and child health with Lilly Verhagen” (opens a new tab).