I am a scientist with a passion for communication, innovation, sustainability and community. Currently I am exploring new ways of promoting science and helping young researchers in reaching their personal goals – this could be finishing up their PhD thesis, wrapping up a paper manuscript or making a plan to develop their career beyond their PhD (and Postdoc).
I grew up in Saarland, in the South West of Germany, close to the French border. After finishing high school, I studied physics in Darmstadt (Germany), Barcelona and Badajoz (both Spain). During my BSc and MSc, I focused on Laser and Plasma physics. Besides my studies in physics I heavily engaged in intercultural activities by working for the international office of the TU Darmstadt, where I was in charge of organizing a welcome program for >100 international exchange students.
During the second year of my MSc I worked in a laser lab at ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences in Barcelona and I became curious about the different applications of physics in other natural science – especially chemistry – and decided to pursue an interdisciplinary PhD program.
After my MSc I moved to Hamburg, where I worked at the European XFEL GmbH and participated in the International Max Planck Research School for Ultrafast Imaging & Structural Dynamics (IMPRS-UFAST). Here I found the interdisciplinary environment I was looking for, spanning biology, chemistry, materials science and engineering.
For my dissertation I investigated ultrafast dynamics of chemical systems which are relevant for technological and biological catalysis using x-rays and lasers. Next to my research, which took place in international collaborations at large scale facilities all over the world, I started to enjoy public outreach – I gave talks about and tours through the local facilities of European XFEL.
For a little over two years I worked as a Researcher at the Stanford University and the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in California. I was able to investigate an even broader range of scientific topics, including biophysics, materials science, physics and chemistry with a more versatile set of experimental tools including x-rays, lasers and electron beams. Living in San Francisco and the Silicon Valley I became intrigued by its startup world and innovative power.
When I am not working on promoting science I can be found outdoors: Climbing, camping, long-distance and trail running or surfing.
