Author: [AUTHOR] Published on 6/1/2025 12:00:00 AM
Tore B. Stage, PhD, Professor, Head of Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
What does being the 2025 Leon I. Goldberg Early Investigator Award Recipient mean to you?
I am extremely proud. I remember going to my first ASCPT meeting and thinking that I had found the best possible Society for me. I always had a strong connection to the USA as I lived in New York City as a six-year-old and when I went back as a postdoc at UCSF with Deanna Kroetz at 29. Thus, being named for this award put a perfect cherry on the top of the very close connection to the USA. I have been happy to contribute to ASCPT by being an Editor-in-Training for CTS and will be happy to continue to contribute in the future.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the collaborations. Science is a team sport and best done in collaboration, and I have been tremendously lucky to collaborate with some fantastic folks along the way. Both from my mentors, Kim Brøsen and Deanna Kroetz, and also from my former and current students, and the countless collaborators who have enabled the translational science that I love to do.
What is the most important leadership lesson you have learned the hard way?
That people are different. Starting as a PI, I thought that everyone wanted the same as me and wanted to do it the same way. Learning and adapting to this when supervising and seeing the improved motivation and morale was eye-opening for me.
When you are not working, how do you spend your free time?
I spend a lot of time with my two boys (4 and 7 years old) and my wife. I am the coach for the boys' local soccer team and try to run a couple of times a week, though the Danish weather sometimes makes it difficult. The remaining time is spent playing computer games, especially strategic ones that can sharpen my mind.
What was your childhood dream job?
I always dreamed of being an astronaut. The thought of being at the forefront of space exploration was just so fascinating to me. I guess doing research also tries to be at the forefront of science, so maybe I ended up with something quite close.
Dr. Stage has been a member of ASCPT since 2015.
