Luisa Orozco is a research software engineer at the Netherlands eScience Center, with a rich background in civil engineering and physics. Jura Smits also specializes in healthcare, focusing on federated learning and data privacy. They discuss the challenges of integrating machine learning in various fields, particularly chemistry, and the complexities of managing healthcare data privacy. Their insights reveal the unique pathways to their current roles and highlight the importance of collaborative efforts in enhancing digital skills and ensuring data safety in research.