"Be curious, be passionate, and learn from people around you. Trust your curiosity and let it be your teacher." New Phytologist Editor Maarja Öpik talks about her work in plant science and plant-fungi interactions, describes why she became a scientist, and provides some advice for early-career researchers. Recorded at the 38th New Phytologist Symposium: Colonization of the terrestrial environment, by Leeds Media, July 2016.