Women in Science – Prof. Emma Slack

Photo Credit: Emma Slack 

Emma Slack is a Full Professor of Mucosal Immunology at the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health (D-​HEST) ETH Zurich. Her research (ETH Zurich – Mucosal Immunology) focuses on understanding the interactions between the immune system, diet, and intestinal microbiota.

Originally from the United Kingdom, she studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, UK and did her PhD on pattern recognition receptor signaling (2003-​2006) in the lab of Caetano Reis e Sousa at the London Research Institute (CRUK). Between 2007 and 2011 she worked on host-​microbiota mutualism in innate immune deficiency in mice and in clinical settings in the group of Prof. Andrew Macpherson, first at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, and then at the University of Bern, Switzerland. Emma was awarded an Ambizione fellowship (SNF) to study the role of adaptive immunity in controlling intestinal bacteria in the group of Prof. Wolf-​Dietrich Hardt (2011-2018, ETH Zuerich). Her work on the mechanism of action of intestinal antibodies against bacteria was awarded with the prestigious Latsis prize in 2017. In 2022 she won the “Immunology Letters Lecture Award” from the European Federation of Immunological Societies and was the recipient of “Emerging Leader in Mucosal Immunology” prize from the Society for Mucosal Immunology.

@Slack1Emma, ETH Zurich – Mucosal Immunology 

1. Why did you choose to become a scientist?

Up until I was about 6, I wanted to be a ballerina, but I was seriously not talented. Then someone bought me a book about atoms and another one about the structure of DNA and from the age of 11 I had a wonderful school science teacher called Mrs Chisholm. Since then, I just wanted to know how stuff really works!

2. What do you like most about immunology? How did you choose this field of study?

I was always amazed that we have this highly complex system within us capable of doing great good, but also great damage. I felt, and still feel, that if we can really understand how the immune system works and how to manipulate it, we can hugely benefit human health. More and more we see that becoming reality from vaccines to cancer therapies and it is unbelievable exciting to be part of this revolution. 

3. What kind of prejudices, if any, did you have to face as a woman scientist? What helped you overcome them?

Honestly, I’ve almost always been surrounded by scientists who are supportive of diversity and by powerful female scientists. I recognize the power of having role models that you see yourself in, and of having that weight of numbers. The micro-aggressions bother you less if you know the majority have got your back. I think we need to be clearer that a major barrier to increasing diversity in science is an atmosphere that fails to genuinely value every member of the community. Science will move forward fastest if we have maximal diversity of views and ideas. “The Tyranny of Merit” by Michael Sandall was an eye-opening read for me. If we select scientists based on a set of standardized achievements, then we will fail to recognize hugely talented individuals coming from a disadvantaged position. It is hard to get around this in recruitment, but it is something we collectively need to think through.

Also it is useful to have a battery of pithy come-backs for the throw-away sexist comments. “It is so interesting that you think that/would say that. Is it because…” is often a good starter!

4. What advice would you give to your younger self at the start of your career?

Take more holidays and travel! It doesn’t get easier as you get older

5. Did you ever doubt your abilities as a scientist? If so, how did you handle these feelings? Is there a decision you regret making in your career?

Hell yes. Science is 99% failure. But at some point, you realize that if you’re not failing then you’re not doing the really ambitious things. I also genuinely think that self-doubt is healthy – we should always be questioning if we’re doing the right thing, the right way. It is the people with cast-iron self-confidence who have a problem. I’ve always had a plan B, career-wise. It helps to know that if everything fails, you can pick yourself up and do something else. 

6. What do you consider your biggest achievement so far?

Probably that is for others to judge! We’ve had some lucky breaks with science. Particularly collaborating with Médéric Diard and Wolf-Dietrich Hardt we’ve been able to go from fundamental principles of intestinal antibody function, through to new concepts in oral vaccination. It is very satisfying to see that progression although we’ve still got a way to go before we reach the clinics. I’m also proud of my group! It is a huge privilege to work with young scientists and we are a big, diverse team that I think work well together not only on cool science, but also promoting positive ideal of how science should be done.

7. What was your first impression of Switzerland when you visited it the first time and what do you think about it now?

I first visited Bern on January 2^nd 2008. It was very grey and very quiet, but also very clean and pretty. I moved to Bern about a week before Fasnacht in 2009 and suddenly everyone was cross-dressing, and a bit tiddly, and playing the sousaphone and the whole place was covered in confetti. Then one day later it was all clean and quiet and pretty. I love how things are done properly here – party hard, tidy-up hard, work hard, eat more chocolate than anywhere else in the world. I knew I’d be OK. 

8. If you had to switch careers, what other field (scientific or not) would you see yourself working in and why?

The dream would be music or theatre! I’m an (increasingly rusty) enthusiastic cellist and spent a lot of my undergrad and PhD time playing in concerts or for music-theatre. If I can’t design new vaccines to combat bacterial infections, I can at least bring a bit of joy into people’s lives! I don’t think they’d actually have me though. So more realistically, in science policy or vaccine advocacy, because I’d like to make sure these issues don’t slip of the agenda now COVID is less centered in our attention.

9. Beside your scientific interests, what are your personal interests?

I love the arts, although music is the only one I’m any good at. There is a lot of joy to be had in being creative. I also love to hike and run and to eat new and interesting things. I’m enjoying the challenges and tribulations of watching, and trying to help, my two kids grow up. And I’d love it if the UK rejoined the EU…

10. What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue the same career as you?

Three things:

1. If you want to do it, you can! 
2. Build up your team – there are no prizes for doing it alone and your friends and network are the best support net you can wish for.
3. Do it your way. If a place or a group makes you feel uncomfortable for being you, they don’t deserve you.