New research team leader centres optimism and team spirit

Ilona came to the University of Borås 20 years ago with a doctorate in Bioprocess Technology. Since then, she has worked both as a teacher and researcher focusing on biotechnology. In recent years, she has also been appointed as Director of Studies and Assistant Head of Department with a particular focus on education in chemical and biotechnology. Now she can also title herself as research group leader for the research group she has worked with all these years.

“I’m very happy that the group chose me and that they have such faith in me. It’s fun to work actively with the research again and work in this group. Everyone has their own area of expertise and works very well together,” said Ilona when the new assignment was brought up.

How do you see your new role?

“In this role, I want to be able to create conditions for free research based on competence and interest. I want to support, encourage others, help out, and ensure that research and teaching work well together. I don’t see this as a pyramid organisation where I’m now at the top, but rather I’m a spider in the web.”

Biotechnology – what is this group?

“It’s a very strong research group. It is a group of many young people who have ‘grown up’ here at the university. Many of them started here as Master’s students or doctoral students and now work at the university. Professor Mohammad Taherzadeh and I have been involved from the start of this research group as two senior researchers, so it is very nice that we have seen the research group grow into something big and successful. 

Within the department and in the area of Resource Recovery, we strive for a multidisciplinary approach, which involves, for example, collaboration between doctoral students in bio-polymer engineering, energy engineering, and textile engineering.”

The role as research group leader is for a limited time? 

“Yes, that was a request from us in the research group to have a rotating schedule where we change positions after a few years. We believe it is a good way to bring new views and thoughts into our work. We have seen in our international networks that other groups work in this way and we feel that it is something we want to test. So in two or three years, we'll rotate again.”  

What’s most fun about working with biotechnology?

“Firstly, we work with green technology, i.e. sustainable materials and processes. Secondly, we use microorganisms, which ‘work for us.’ This makes biotechnology a particularly interesting area, combining microbiological knowledge with chemical engineering solutions. But we must never forget that we work with living organisms.

”What are you looking forward to in your work now?

“There are so many projects going on and there is always something new going on, and that’s exciting. A lot is still new to me. I’m still trying to get to know the details and get an overview of all the different parts of this role. 

Even though I’m now the research group leader, I don’t feel alone, but rather that I am doing this together with the others in the group. I strive for everyone to feel seen and involved, because that will yield the best results.”

Do you feel optimistic about the new role?

“Yes. If you are not feeling optimistic, you should not take on these types of roles at all. You have to have a positive attitude and believe in what you are doing,” Ilona concluded, smiling.

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