This podcast forms part of a series in which we introduce members of the iLEAPS Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) and also the Early Career Scientist Network (ECSN) Committee and forms part of the iLEAPS Online conference during March 2021. During this podcast, we talk to Prof. Sebastian Leuzinger, who is a plant ecologist in the School of Science at Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand and an active member of the iLEAPS Scientific Steering Committee. Sebastian talks about his career and his motivation to become a researcher/scientist rather than working in the industrial sector much more well paid. He also talks about his role as a member of iLEAPS SSC, the collaboration with other members of the committee both SSC and ECSN, the support iLEAPS to carry out research and to organise science outreach activities such as conferences and podcasts. Sebastian also mentions the importance of social like Twitter for collaboration. He concludes on his current research activities on water flows and carbon distribution in trees, mainly the role that roots play in the communication between plants.