This study explores how life science researchers conceptualize, operationalize, and value Interdisciplinary Research (IDR). We interviewed a sample of 10 established life science faculty to understand the researchers' lived experiences and perspectives on participating in IDR. Six themes emerged from our data: (1) IDR requires the integration of insights from different disciplines, (2) IDR can occur within disciplines, (3) Collaborators should be intentionally selected, (4) Differences in languages must be reconciled, (5) Authentic and frequent collaboration is required, and (6) IDR is valued by life scientists because it broadens our understanding of complex scientific questions and produces great scholarly rewards.