Science is never a straight line
- Sooike Stoops
- Jul 8
- 7 min read
Career story Lucas Mergan
“My driving force is to spark wonder, curiosity and critical thinking in young people. In a world full of fake news, conspiracy theories, and misleading social media, it is more important than ever to have a basic understanding of science.”
This is how Lucas Mergan describes his work, a statement that reads like a manifesto. One that makes it almost inevitable to look more closely at the career and choices behind it.
Mergan did not set out to become a science communicator. Like many young researchers, he began with a clear ambition: to do science. What followed was not a sharp turn, but a gradual shift, driven by curiosity, opportunity, and a growing conviction that science does not only require doing, but also explaining. And perhaps even more importantly: explaining it honestly.
First steps
Mergan’s early trajectory followed a familiar path. During his studies in biology, he focused primarily on research, with only limited exposure to science communication.
