The many faces of Lygature – Interview series, part 1

Tracey Faase works as a Financial Controller at Lygature and has different areas of focus. One of them is taking care of Lygature’s finances as a whole.

What is the focus of your work within Lygature?

I need to keep a helicopter view over the projects and help make sure the financial side of the business is running smoothly. Next to that, I have my own projects that I work on. One of which is ESCulab, a European IMI 2 project, where Lygature is the coordinator. I maintain contact with beneficiaries as a financial coordinator regarding their reporting and how to use the IMI portal. I enjoy helping people with that. However, most of my work is for Oncode Institute where I am responsible for the financial administration. This includes, among others, keeping track of all funding and spending, financial reporting from the partner institutes and to funders, setting up quarterly reports for management and audit committees and setting up new internal financial control processes.”

What do you enjoy the most about your work in the organisation?

I really enjoy the variety of the work and the drive everyone has at Lygature. I also take pleasure in speaking to people outside of Lygature - for ESCulab, for instance. The interactions I have regarding Oncode also keep me sharp. There is so much going on that it never gets boring!

What is challenging about your work?

The diversity of my work can also be a challenge. Being able to switch from my role in Lygature to my role in Oncode can be hard at times. Another example is the complexity for the funding streams for Oncode where all different funders have different reporting requirements. Nevertheless, I love working as part of a team and that gives me energy!

How does Lygature bring value to the wider field of medical innovations in your opinion?

Tracey believes in sharing knowledge and explains that the work she does for Lygature matches her personal values: “The concept of sharing information and the link between the academic institutes and pharma companies, for instance, is an indispensable driver for medical innovations. The idea that we can add something to that is amazing! The feeling that you can actually do something to make a difference, that makes me proud! I love the international environment as well!”

What is the nicest compliment you have received while working at Lygature?

On the personal front, I received a compliment once from one colleague, which was something along the lines of me bringing smiles to people’s faces and being a breath of fresh air. That was nice to hear! From a work perspective, I received a compliment from another colleague during a Lygature General meeting who said that I managed to provide more insight into the figures for Oncode. He said that this helps program managers decide on how to move forward with their research programmes. This is important to me because in this way I know that my work is adding value.

How has the COVID-19 crisis impacted your work?

Initially, the combination of home schooling my children next to working from home was challenging in finding the balance between work and private life. I have also been busy with work around the annual statements for Oncode. It is that time of the year, but luckily the work has been able to continue. Using Microsoft Teams and Sharepoint, we’ve been able to work with our accountants without any issues. But, I do miss my colleagues and having chats with them, while at the same time I enjoy the flexibility of working from home. I really miss being able to print documents, and having a monitor though. I don’t have a separate office at home so am working purely on the laptop. Most of the time that is okay but sometimes I miss the larger screen, for example, if I want to compare two documents. Lygature have offered for me to borrow items I may need to use at home and even provided a budget for me to buy the right equipment. I just don’t have a permanent place to put it! Sometimes I work in the living room (as in the photo) but quite often when I’m in a call I am in the bedroom of one of the children at their desk. Either way I think I can be flexible and open to change, which helps under the circumstances.

Do you have a tip for adapting to the current situation of working from home?

During these times of staying at home as much as possible, I find that I need to move more – I tend to sit a lot, so I started giving myself certain time frames to stand up, get a drink or just move about. I also find it helpful to make plans for dinner and thus stop with work. I advise to make sure you limit your working day, as sometimes the line between private life and work can get blurry.

Julia Lischke works as a program manager at Lygature. 

Brief introduction of yourself and your work:

I am a dedicated program manager at Lygature, currently leading the Program Management Office for the UNITE4TB and KITT initiatives. My journey into global health and medical research began with my studies in biotechnology, driven by a desire to contribute to advancements in medical science. Although my career initially took me through fields like biotechnology for industry and food research, and later into data science, I am thrilled to have returned to the medical field. I am passionate about global health, a field that relies on collaboration and partnership to solve the world's biggest challenges.

What do you enjoy most about working at Lygature?

What I enjoy most about working at Lygature is the chance to make a real impact in medical research and healthcare. I find great satisfaction in working with a dynamic team and partners from both public and private sectors, all of whom are equally dedicated to improving health outcomes worldwide. The supportive environment at Lygature not only helps us manage our projects effectively but also fosters personal and professional growth. My time here has allowed me to apply my skills and passion to drive meaningful progress in medical research.

What is the biggest challenge in your work?

The biggest challenge I face is managing the complexity of projects that involve multiple stakeholders. Balancing different perspectives and interests to achieve shared goals requires careful negotiation and coordination. However, these challenges also present opportunities for growth and innovation, encouraging me to continuously improve my approach.

How do you stay motivated when dealing with complex tasks?

Complex tasks are motivating because they present new challenges and learning opportunities. My curiosity and desire to find innovative solutions keep me engaged. Additionally, the supportive team at Lygature ensures that I never face difficulties alone, making even the toughest tasks manageable.

Where is your focus in your work?

My focus is on tuberculosis research, particularly through the UNITE4TB and KITT projects. UNITE4TB is a collaborative effort involving over 30 partners working to accelerate the end of the tuberculosis pandemic. I also manage the KITT project, which brings together stakeholders in global TB research to align their activities, reduce duplication, and share information and date effectively. I am committed to fostering collaboration and achieving significant progress in global health, ensuring that our projects not only meet but exceed their objectives. By prioritizing clear communication and strategic planning, I aim to deliver results that make a meaningful impact on public health.

What is the greatest compliment you have received during your time at Lygature?

The greatest compliment I've received at Lygature was being introduced as "the woman with the way to yes." This recognition is meaningful to me because it reflects my ability to navigate complex tasks, find optimal compromises, and keep projects moving forward. One of my strengths is developing effective data-sharing strategies, a challenging task that involves satisfying stakeholders, adhering to regulations, staying within budget, and selecting the right technology. I am proud that we have consistently found solutions for every project we undertake.