Meet Reinier Prosée, the new preLights Community Manager

Hi everyone! My name is Reinier Prosée and I’ve recently taken over the role of preLights Community Manager from Helen. I’m thrilled to get involved in this international, collaborative community project which uses preprints to uncover and discuss exciting new developments within the biological sciences. I aim to support preLights in further establishing itself as a one-of-a-kind meeting place, where the latest scientific research can be discussed in an open, engaging and more inclusive way.

I’ve spent the last decade immersing myself in the world of scientific research and academic publishing. This journey has allowed me to live and work in different places across Europe, including the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Before joining The Company of Biologists, I worked at two other publishing companies: Wolters Kluwer and Frontiers. In between, I’ve completed a PhD in molecular biology at the University of Geneva, which led to a few original publications. All this has given me the unique opportunity to view the publishing industry from both the side of the author as well as the publisher. What is clear to me is that there needs to be a stronger connection between the two – it’s a sense of community that is so important in driving us all forward. Therefore, I feel that an initiative like preLights, hosted by The Company of Biologists, is just what is needed and I’m excited to help it further grow and develop.

Although I’ve chosen not to follow an academic research career, I very much feel part of the larger research community. The preLights project represents a new and different way in which we can communicate about our work and the broader academic environment. I really look forward to working with all the preLighters who are already on board and have helped to get this project to where it is today. If you have any thoughts or ideas on how to further develop this project, I’d love to hear from you. Also, I’m hoping to encourage more people to join this brilliant community and I’d be more than happy to talk to anyone who would like to know more about getting involved.

Please feel free to message me at prelights@biologists.com and make sure to stay tuned by following us on Twitter @preLights.