My RTTP Journey: Esma Yagdi Efe

Esma works in knowledge and technology transfer at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) at the University of Luxembourg, supporting researchers in translating promising research and technologies towards real-world application and impact. Her work spans intellectual property, technology transfer and industry collaboration, with a particular interest in bridging the gap between academic research and its practical application.

“Receiving Candidate RTTP recognition feels like a very meaningful milestone in my professional journey. More than the recognition itself, it has given me an opportunity to reflect on how much I have learned and how I would like to continue developing as a technology transfer professional.”

Building confidence through learning

Two experiences played an important role in encouraging Esma to take the next step towards RTTP: the LifeArc Knowledge Transfer Innovation Fellowship and becoming part of the ASTP community.

The fellowship has given her the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and develop a broader perspective on knowledge transfer. Combined with the learning and connections she has gained through ASTP, this helped her recognise her own professional development and gave her the confidence to pursue Candidate RTTP recognition.

“The fellowship has played an important role in my professional development, giving me the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and see technology transfer from a broader perspective.”

For Esma, these experiences have not only been about developing technical knowledge. They have also helped her better understand the profession itself and her place within it.

Recognising progress in a broad profession

Knowledge transfer encompasses many different skills, experiences and areas of expertise. For someone developing their career, Esma acknowledges that this can sometimes make it difficult to recognise how much progress they have already made.

“You are constantly learning from researchers, colleagues, industry partners, negotiations, projects that succeed and, just as importantly, from those that do not go quite as planned.”

Candidate RTTP has provided a way to put those experiences into perspective.

Rather than seeing the recognition as an endpoint, Esma views it as part of an ongoing process of learning and professional development.

“For me, Candidate RTTP recognition is both encouraging and motivating. I see Candidate RTTP very much as part of an ongoing journey.”

That journey is one in which experience comes from many places: formal professional development, learning from colleagues and peers, working alongside researchers and industry, and navigating the successes and challenges that come with knowledge transfer in practice.

A framework for what comes next

For Esma, one of the most valuable aspects of Candidate RTTP recognition is having a clearer framework through which to consider both the experience she has already gained and the areas in which she wants to continue developing.

“It gives me a clearer framework for thinking about where I am now and where I would like to develop next.”

That perspective captures what Candidate RTTP represents at this stage of her career: an opportunity to recognise progress without losing sight of how much there is still to learn.

With the experience gained through her work, the LifeArc Knowledge Transfer Innovation Fellowship and the ASTP community, Candidate RTTP marks an important step in Esma’s professional journey – and a foundation from which to continue building towards full RTTP recognition.