Sarah Vlayen joined CCB in 2018 and has since become the person many of us turn to for help, which she always kindly gives. “Help me help you – that's my motto,” says Sarah. “Sometimes, that means helping our researchers with administrative tasks, but other times it also means being there to listen. You can picture me as a little spider weaving a web, a network that helps people find their way around our center and also find each other.” 

Indeed, Sarah has always been curious about what connects us as humans – our different languages, our cultures, and our traditions. As a young adult, she decided to study tourism and worked in the field for over twenty years, gathering experience in business, leisure, and adventure travel. “I enjoyed working in tourism, but at one point I realized I needed a big professional change. I wanted to learn more, be in a new environment, and have new opportunities, so I started looking for a new job,” says Sarah.

Her first interview was for a research center she had not heard of before, the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology (CCB). Because she had never worked in academia, Sarah was unsure whether it would be a good fit, but it turned out to be exactly what she needed. “When management explained to me what I would be doing, I was so excited! At that time, I really needed to feel like I was part of something bigger, so the idea of contributing to science, and being in such an international environment, felt like a really good decision for me.”

At the start, there was a lot to learn and take in, from new tasks to different environments and people. “It took me some time to find my place, but it all worked out and I am very happy here. I really feel I am one of the turning wheels of a larger machine.” Today, Sarah’s tasks as a management assistant vary widely: agenda management, travel arrangements, meeting organization, guiding new employees, and hosting visitors are among her main responsibilities. 

Yet, despite the broad scope of her role, Sarah is clear about her main priority. “My goal is to lift administrative burdens off our group leaders’ shoulders so they can focus on their research. They have many responsibilities and are often under a lot of pressure, which is a big challenge. I am always keeping an eye out for things that might arise and create issues, so that I can tackle them before they become a problem – and doing so in ways that interfere as little as possible with their workflow.”

When asked about her favorite parts of her own work, for Sarah, it all links back to people and connection. “It's so fulfilling to see people find their way and to be there for them as they do. When new students come to CCB, they have often never been abroad or have never visited Belgium before. I like helping them with the logistical aspects of moving countries, but it’s also really important to me to make them feel welcome. I also love the fact that it feels as if different parts of the world come to me now. I learn so much about our researchers’ home countries, and I also get to see my own country from their perspective. We get to learn so much from each other. So, when people ask me what I love most about my job, I always say: the people.”

Thank you for your dedication and support, Sarah! Your joy, listening ear, and beautiful office decorations make CCB a brighter place ✨