Lorenzo Frigerio
What is your current role and what does a typical week look like?
I am currently seconded to the role of Pro-vice Chancellor for Education. I oversee the University's education and student experience strategy and I am a member of the university's executive board. The role is nominally for 80% of my time, but it's more like a full-time job and I find that I have very little time to think about biology. So most of my week is spent in meetings with colleagues, or in various committees. It can be a lot of fun, but not as much fun as being in the lab - although my research group is very happy I'm not there...
Nationality: Italy
Which part of your role do you enjoy the most, and what are the biggest challenges?
I feel extremely lucky to work with amazing people. My current role allows me to interact with fantastic educators and professional service leaders across the institution and across the sector. The biggest challenge is accepting that bringing about change, in a complex institution such as Warwick, is very slow work, so it takes a long time to see results (good or bad), unlike when doing experiments!
Who would you say is your role model in your personal and/or professional life?
I have had wonderful postdoc supervisors, and later senior colleagues here at Warwick, who were great role models for inclusive leadership and provided lasting support and encouragement.
Which skills help you most in being able to perform your role?
Diplomacy above all! Also being able to delegate and trust good people to do good work.
How has your education or roles previous to joining Life Sciences, informed your interests, and why did you choose this career direction?
I decided plant genetic engineering was cool after reading, and not understanding, a scientific American article when I was 14. I did an agricultural sciences degree because the university that offered it has just started doing plant transformation. After my PhD I got really interested in protein trafficking and chose postdocs that eventually led to my staying at Warwick.
What is your favourite place on campus and why?
Gibbet Hill of course! I am very fond of IBRB as I was part of the team that led to its realisation.
Can you give an example of something that has made you feel part of the community while in Life Sciences, and what could be improved to enable this?
The socials, and really any opportunity for a celebration with food and drink - these are the times when one bumps into colleagues and has relaxed, disinterested conversations. We are lucky to have the space by the pond. Oh, and I like alpacas...
What are your main interests or passions, outside of work?
I am a keen guitar player and have been playing since I was a teenager. Scuba diving is also a huge, lifelong passion, undimmed by the fact that we are located as far from the sea as it gets!
August 2025