The Tinkerer: A Conversation with Fabian Kausche

The Tinkerer: A Conversation with Fabian Kausche

What do motorbikes, equine surgery, African livestock development, and precision parasitology have in common?

For Fabian, they are all part of a career driven by one thing: curiosity.

In our latest Leaders in Animal Health interview, Fabian reflects on a remarkable journey that has taken him from veterinary student and researcher to leading R&D organizations at some of the industry’s largest companies, serving as Deputy Director General for Research & Innovation at ILRI, and most recently becoming Chairman of ASTRA Therapeutics.

Some of the insights that stood out:
💡 “Ninety percent I want to tinker and learn new things – and this is scary enough - and ten percent I think I can do it.”

💡 Great organizations are built by creating environments where people are motivated by discovery, not fear.

💡 Career-defining opportunities often arrive disguised as uncomfortable challenges. As Fabian puts it: “If something like this comes along, do it. You’ll be scared out of your wits, and a couple of years later you realize how much you learned.”

💡 The legacy that matters most isn’t products or budgets – it’s the people you help develop along the way.

From a chance encounter in an equine surgery to shaping innovation across global animal health and international development, Fabian’s story is a powerful reminder that some of the most impactful careers are built not through careful planning, but through curiosity, courage, and a willingness to keep learning.

Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/e5i-9TkG