GIGA 2021 Annual Report 3 «Completing an annual report is a good opportunity to reflect about GIGA’s state. The end of the pandemic appears in sight, which will - to some extend - equate to a new start. A good opportunity to re-articulate priorities. GIGA’s motto is “Striving for academic excellence in the biomedical sciences to foster groundbreaking medical innovation.” The “academic” emphasis stems fromGIGA’s dual mission: research and education. GIGA’s members share the ambition to conduct research that is internationally recognized for its excellence. An honest indicator of research performance is the number of ERC grants awarded to GIGA PIs. It presently stands at eight. Compared to other centers in French-speaking Belgium, this is excellent. Yet, we can increase the number of ERCs [and other grants promoting excellence such as FNRS andWelbio] even more by joining forces. Strength in science lies in cross-fertilization: the I of GIGA (interdisciplinary). GIGA counts more than 100 postdoctoral fellows and ~260 PhD students. It is their PI’s responsibility to ensure that the time spent at GIGA becomes a springboard for a rich and fulfilling life. Young scientists should want to join GIGA not only to become skilled researchers but also to acquire soft skills required by public and private organizations alike. It is the mission of GIGA’s doctoral school to support PIs as mentor. If we reach the primary goal of academic excellence, innovations benefitting society will – with appropriate support – naturally follow. In 2021 alone, GIGA scientists have filed five patents and started three companies. The tech transfer office of ULiège is undergoing profound restructuring to better assist PIs in translating acquired knowledge into medical solutions. GIGA will proactively participate in these efforts: the A of GIGA (applied). In an increasingly competitive and ruthless research environment, it is important to define for one-self some guiding principles, key values that are not to be compromised. GIGA proposes four: BALANCE one cannot be a good scientist for the long run, if at the expense of family, loved ones, or health. ACCOUNTABILITY the quality of the working environment is not a given, but rather a reflection of how much each one of us contributes to make it better. INTEGRITY it is better to publish negative results that have been obtained rigorously, than to publish results that you know or should know are not going to stand the test of time. KINDNESS have you, today, expressed your gratitude to at least one of the many people, scientists or not, that in various capacities make it possible for you to do your work? Along these lines, I express my sincere thanks to all members of GIGA’s technological platforms and support teams for their dedication in supporting our community. They are a major ingredient of GIGA’s success and attractiveness». Michel Georges GIGA Director April 22 I G G A
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