Interview with Leonard Chavas: Empowering Science Through Cutting Edge Technology

A 5-minute read

Introduction

Structural biology is a field where precision meets discovery, and few understand this better than Leonard Chavas. With a distinguished career spanning France, Japan, Germany, and the UK, Chavas has been at the forefront of structural biology at synchrotrons for 25 years. Now he joins DECTRIS Japan as a sales manager, bringing his wealth of expertise and visionary outlook to the company. We sat down with him to discuss his journey, motivations, and vision for the future.

Q: Leonard, you have an impressive background in structural biology. Can you walk us through some key milestones in your career?

Absolutely. My journey started in France, where I worked at EMBL-ESRF on innovative techniques in X-ray diffraction. I then moved to Japan to work with Soichi Wakatsuki, a leading synchrotron scientist, and completed my PhD there. My career has taken me to the UK, where I oversaw multiple research groups under a Marie Curie grant and contributed to data collection at Diamond Light Source.

Later, I was called back to Japan as an assistant professor at a synchrotron facility, where I worked with a small team overseeing five beamlines. We built two new beamlines dedicated to structural biology. Toward the end of this period, I became deeply interested in the emerging X-ray free electron laser (FEL) technology. Japan was constructing its own FEL (SACLA), while the LCLS in the US was already operational. I contributed to the development of a beamline for structural biology at the Japanese FEL.

To gain more experience, I was invited by Henry Chapman and the late John Spence—pioneers of the Serial Femtosecond Crystallography (SFX) technique—to join an experiment at the LCLS. This eventually led to an invitation to CFEL at DESY, where I helped establish one of the key beamlines at the European XFEL. I stayed there for two years, overseeing its completion before moving on to new challenges.
After that, I led one of France’s most productive beamlines at the SOLEIL synchrotron and headed its Biology and Health Division, coordinating eight beamlines focused on diverse applications such as X-ray diffraction, UV imaging, and SAXS. This diverse and international journey has shaped my perspective and fueled my passion for advancing science through technology.

Currently, I serve as a professor in Applied Physics at Nagoya University, Deputy Director of the Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, and Head of the ASBiM group. My focus has been not only on synchrotron science but also on cryo-electron microscopy and AI-driven applications in structural biology. Throughout my career, my mission has remained the same: to enable better science through cutting-edge technology. 

Q: What motivated you to join DECTRIS?

There were several key factors. First and foremost, DECTRIS has revolutionized detector technology, and its impact on science is undeniable. Having worked extensively with DECTRIS detectors, I’ve seen firsthand how they enable groundbreaking research.

Secondly, I was inspired by the people. Clemens Schulze-Briese, for example, transitioned from an esteemed beamline scientist to a leader in industry with the goal of advancing science—not just business. That resonated deeply with me. DECTRIS is not just a company; it’s a partner in scientific discovery.

Lastly, I saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and researchers, particularly in Asia. Japan has incredible scientific potential, but researchers often lack full access to the latest tools or knowledge of how to maximize their benefits. I want to help change that.

Bridging the Gap between Cutting-edge Technology and Researchers

Q: What excites you the most about your new role at DECTRIS?

The possibility of expanding DECTRIS’ impact excites me the most. There’s a vast, untapped potential in Asia—not only in synchrotron research but also in cryo-electron microscopy and beyond. Many scientists know that DECTRIS detectors are the best, but they don’t always know how to fully utilize them. I see my role as not only expanding DECTRIS' presence but also fostering deeper scientific collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Moreover, I thrive on interdisciplinary research. My work has always intersected with various fields, from structural biology to AI applications. At DECTRIS, I will have the chance to work across different domains, helping researchers achieve better results and push scientific boundaries.

Q: What is your vision for DECTRIS Japan, and how do you see yourself contributing to its success?

While In the short term, my focus will be on strengthening relationships with the scientific community in Japan. This means direct engagement with researchers, understanding their needs, and ensuring they can fully benefit from DECTRIS technology.

Long-term, I envision DECTRIS Japan playing a greater role in academia. I see opportunities for deeper collaboration through joint research initiatives, workshops, and even fellowship programs that integrate DECTRIS technology into university curricula. Japan has a unique research culture, and by working closely with the academic community, DECTRIS can further solidify its leadership in the region.
Beyond Japan, I believe DECTRIS can extend its reach in the global cryo-EM community, which is an area with tremendous growth potential. I hope to contribute to that expansion by leveraging my expertise in both synchrotron science and cryo-EM.

Listening to Scientists and Anticipating their Needs

Q: If you had to describe DECTRIS and its people in three words, what would they be?

Innovative, Reliable, Collaborative. DECTRIS consistently pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in detector technology. The quality and reliability of its products are unmatched, making it an indispensable partner in research. But what truly sets DECTRIS apart is its collaborative spirit and the support. It’s a company that listens to scientists, anticipates their needs and understands their challenges - and actively works to solve them. That’s something truly special. 

Q: Any final thoughts for the scientific community?

I want researchers to know that DECTRIS is here for them. Whether you're working at a synchrotron, using cryo-EM, or exploring new frontiers in structural biology, DECTRIS is committed to providing the best tools and support to help you succeed. Science should never be limited by technology—rather, technology should empower science. That’s what we aim to achieve.

I’m incredibly excited to begin this new chapter and look forward to collaborating with the scientific community in Japan and beyond.

Conclusion

With Leonard Chavas joining the team, DECTRIS strengthens its commitment to empowering researchers worldwide with the best in detection technology and powerful research tools. His deep expertise, global perspective, and passion for science will undoubtedly help shape the future of DECTRIS both in Asia and across the globe. Stay tuned for more exciting developments!