Life as a Scientist – Interview with Prof. Zierau

Hello Prof. Zierau, please introduce yourself and tell us about your research topic.
My Name is Oliver Zierau, I studied veterinarian science but I have been working in biology for more than 20 years. My research topic is animal physiology, more specifically endocrinology in mammals and physiology of ingestion. Some of my research is also focused on animal welfare aspects.

What is one important thing you have discovered during your career as a scientist?
If I am honest, I would have to say that science nowadays is almost always teamwork, that means for example that I think they shouldn’t give Nobel prizes anymore to single persons but only to the team/group. But I guess that wasn’t your question. I am pretty happy about a study I was involved in, where we found, that the estrogen receptor-ß activation stimulates skeletal muscle growth and regeneration, which was very surprising at that time. We expected if at all rather activation of the estrogen receptor α would have that effect. Hormones like estrogen have multiple functions in the body. This finding brought us one step further to understanding which effects can be triggered by estrogen and how exactly the information is processed by the cell. Or a study that is not published yet where we showed that apes unlike humans really like the taste of tannins. Therefore, I presume gorillas would order barrique wines in a restaurant.

What do you like most or least about your job?
I like to quote Isaac Asimov for this who once said: “The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka! ' but 'That's funny…'” I like the fun and thrill to research new things, find out new things and the possibility to so. I also like teaching and discussing with students.

Is there anything you dislike about academia/science?
This is easy, all the administrative burden which grows every year and gives you less and less time for research.

You were recently awarded the position of Professor Extraordinary at the department for biochemistry of Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Why did you receive it and what tasks does it entail?
I have been cooperating with a group from Stellenbosch for almost 15 years. Through this connection it happened that I was asked if I would like to teach students and mentor a younger South African researcher. Because I know her very well and I think she has quite some potential, I was happy to take this challenge. This on the other hand resulted in me being granted this position, but it is a pure honorary passion.

If you could not be a professor, what job would you like to do (outside from science)
Where do I start, as I said I studied veterinarian medicine, and my plan was to become a wildlife vet. However, as a child I always wanted to become an artist, a painter to be more precise. This would still be something I would love to be able to do.

What is your favourite book?
Fictional, still “Lord of the Rings” which I read first 40 years ago. Non-fictional “The selfish gene” by Richard Dawkins or “The third Chimpanzee” by Jared Diamond.

Which book would you recommend anyone to read?
Beside the ones above, I would say “Full House: The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin” by biologist Stephen Jay Gould.

What new thing would you like to learn?
Sailing, maybe I will find time in the future to do so.

Issue 8 (PDF)