EU-LIFE blog: My journey through the EU-LIFE Science Vision Talk Contest in 3 acts
By Mafalda Araújo Pereira, Postdoc in the Porse Group at BRIC (Denmark). Her Shakespearean take on the KDM5C protein, 'The Hidden Hand of KDM5C: A Tale of Blood and Fate', was the second most voted-for performance of the EU-LIFE Science Vision Talk Contest 2025. The recording of her full performance is available at the end of this blog post.
Scene 1: The Unexpected Representative
Cue spotlight on a lone figure, standing centre stage.
Our story begins with an unexpected start; I found myself thrust into the spotlight as the BRIC representative. Not because I was the strongest choice, but simply because no one else stepped forward. Since I had a performance idea that I liked and that others also seemed open to, the weight of this responsibility wasn’t unbearable at that point and I was able to quietly let it slip to the back of my mind. As the process matured, though, the realities of the task came into focus, and I became more attuned to the task of delivering an engaging talk about my scientific project in an unconventional method. Doing something new would always be easy if someone could give you a blueprint. Nevertheless, I worked hard and got invaluable inputs from a strong network of contributors within my group and at BRIC, to sculpt and perfect a performance that I was proud of.
Scene 2: The Performance Panic
Lights dim, heartbeats grow louder.
The day of the competition arrived, and with it a flood of anxiety that settled in my chest as I paced in the hotel in Brno that morning. I was pratising endlessly, pushing myself to go over every detail one more time. Hours before the performance, I was a bundle of nerves – sweating in the mid-May heat, trapped in a glass-domed building and surrounded by wires and screens emanating warmth. As the minutes ticked closer to ‘curtains up’, panic set in; I was the first contestant and that meant no rhythm to fall into, just me breaking the silence. My heart pounded in my chest, and my mind was a whirlwind of fear. Stepping onto the stage I felt like I was in a dream. The performance itself is a blur; I don't remember much of what I said or how it went. To my surprise, somehow I found peace during the performance; an unexpected calm and confidence allowing me to enjoy the moment, even if just for a little while. This was a contrast to the overwhelming sensation of a racing heart and the desperate hope of not faltering that I’d been nurturing for the rest of that long day.
Scene 3: The Sweet Taste of Success
Cue triumphant music, spotlight on the narrator with a beaming smile.
As the competition drew to a close, I watched the other contestants’ performances with lingering nerves at first, but soon found myself enjoying the competition and in awe of the atmosphere in the room. Then, the moment of truth arrived. My name was announced as the second-place contestant, at which point a wave of relief and joy washed over me. I was ecstatic, not just for the recognition, but for having faced my fears and emerged stronger. In the days that followed, I rode a high of pride and accomplishment. I had put myself out there in a vulnerable and terrifying forum, and I had triumphed.
Curtains close, audience applause.
