Jacob Gorenflos
Network Spokesperson
Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP)
I studied Chemistry and Biochemistry at the LMU in Munich. After doing my Master thesis in Zurich I moved back to where I was born and raised, Berlin. Here I found a great opportunity for a PhD at the Leibnitz Institute for molecular Pharmacology (FMP). My research is focused on glycobiology a field that is becoming more interesting each day, e.g. did you know RNA could be glycosylated? In my spare time I climb and read, primarily poetry.
The situation of the doctoral researchers has been improving over the years. None the less, there is still a lot of work to be done. This is no task for a year, but for many generations of representatives. In my year as a spokesperson I intend to lay the foundation for many policies that will improve the conditions for future generations of doctoral researchers.
E-mail address: spokesperson@leibniz-phd.net
Anja Jahn
Network Spokesperson
Leibniz-Institut für Geschichte und Kultur des östlichen Europa (GWZO)
The PhD Network, with its more than 90 member institutes and research museums is a powerful tool to make doctoral research visible and stress its importance in our knowledge based society. The efforts we make as doctoral researchers in labs and libraries contribute to improve all areas of life, like health, education, relationships and the environment. Our scientific work is indispensable for innovation and improving societies and to everyone’s benefit. Reflecting on the condition of science is an essential part of the work of PhD researchers. My mission as spokesperson is to strengthen the exchange among all members of the network, in order to empower actions for good science.
After graduating from Humboldt University with an M.A. in Cultures of Central and Eastern Europe, I started my doctoral research with the Leibniz Institute of History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) in Leipzig. In my research I focus on Lower Sorbian and Yiddish literature. I try to understand how co-working on texts contributed to create cultural significance. As much time as possible I spend with family and friends. I enjoy hiking and yoga. My latest challenge is the piano.
E-mail address: spokesperson@leibniz-phd.net
Antoine Verriere
Treasurer
Museum für Naturkunde Berlin
I am a doctoral researcher in palaeontology at the Museum für Naturkunde (MfN) in Berlin. I works on the early Permian reptiles mesosaurs, the first terrestrial amniotes to have returned to an aquatic lifestyle, and tries to understand developmental aspects of the evolutionary history of amniotes throughout the study of these animals. In my spare time, I enjoy playing the violin, bouldering, and cooking.
To me, the most important role of the Leibniz PhD Network is to promote interaction between scientists from different horizons and offer support to doctoral researchers in their present and future careers. In addition, in these times where scientific rationality is challenged, I believe the Leibniz PhD Network must set an example of exemplary scientific research and create opportunities to reach the general public.
E-mail address: antoine.verriere@mfn.berlin
Annika Diekmann
Section A Spokesperson
Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum
I studied chemistry in my hometown at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum and started my PhD two years ago. Here in the Ruhrgebiet (Ruhr area), mining is an ever-present topic and part of our cultural heritage. With that background, I am lucky to be able to combine my doctoral thesis in chemistry with my hometown history by working at Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum, a Leibniz research museum. Non-university research in a museum brings along a lot of new experiences and challenges like interdisciplinary teamwork of sometimes entirely different disciplines (e.g. chemistry and archeology). Furthermore, the working conditions and atmosphere can also differ a lot from those we all know from university. In this context, the PhD Network is a very important tool for me to share and to exchange these new experiences, to identify problems and to develop problem-solving strategies together.
E-mail address: annika.diekmann@bergbaumuseum.de
Irene Broer
Section B Spokesperson
Leibniz-Institut für Medienforschung – Hans-Bredow-Institut (HBI)
I am a cultural anthropologist with a passion for journalism both in research and in practice. In my doctoral research at the Leibniz Institute for Media Research | Hans Bredow Institute I focus on science communication, with a particular interest in new actors in science journalism. After graduating, I worked as a writer for Dutch magazines and Hamburg’s city-portal, and I co-founded Gute Leute Magazine, which features interviews with Hamburg locals. My passion for academic research never left, and after several years of practical experience I finally took the step to start my PhD. When I’m not in PhD-mode, I love getting into outdoors adventures, striking up conversations with strangers and their dogs, and eating spicy dishes. I admire the work that the Leibniz PhD Network has done to unite doctoral researchers within Leibniz and I look forward to working on this further.
E-mail address: i.broer@leibniz-hbi.de
Kristine Oevel
Section C Spokesperson
Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP)
I studied Chemistry at Humboldt-University of Berlin. After graduating, I started my doctoral research at the Leibniz Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) in the fields of Biochemistry and Neuroscience focusing on synaptic vesicle recycling. In my spare time I enjoy music, beer and good conversation.
In my opinion, we have a responsibility towards future generations to assess and review the current doctoral challenges, and communicate them to others. This will mean that in the long run working conditions can improve for all DRs creating equal opportunities among every research field. Those conditions can only change in the grand scheme, when DRs can unify their demands to develop new long term standards. Therefore, we need a platform such as the PhD Network that promotes exchange among all DRs within the Leibniz Association and creates a forum in which we can learn from each other’s experiences, trials and tribulations.
E-mail address: oevel@fmp-berlin.de
Suyuan Chen
Section D Spokesperson
Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften – ISAS
I am a chemical biologist with a focus on Chemical Proteomics. After graduating from Chengdu Institute of Biology (Chinese Academy of Sciences) in Organic Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry, I became a PhD Researcher at the Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften – ISAS e.V. in Dortmund. Herein, I focus on cleavable photo-cross-linking strategy to identify drug targets and binding sites, as well as state-of-the-art technology to discovery new drug.
I believe the Leibniz PhD Network is a great platform to share experiences, develop skills and setup network. Joining together with the PhD Network steering committee, I aim to promote better communication, debate the current challenges for young researchers and improve the work environment.
In my spare time, I like to cook, photography and dance Poppin.
E-mail address: chen.suyuan@isas.de
Guilherme M. O. Abuchahla
Section E Spokesperson
Leibniz-Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung (ZMT)
I have studied Biological Sciences in Brazil, then a Master’s in Environmental Management at the University of Kiel, here in Germany. Before starting my PhD at the Leibniz Centre for Marine Tropical Research, I have worked all over the world with my beloved mangroves. After working with several aspects regarding mangroves, my actual focus is on the connectivity between mangroves and terrestrial vegetation in semi-arid Atlantic coasts, including both ecological and policy implications. My free time is divided between travelling and getting to know other cultures, reading about things like Etimology and Folklore, and taking care of my plants. I see all this as a relevant part of my understanding of the environment, and I do believe our network will benefit from an even more multiple and diverse approach to its practices and processes.
E-mail address: guilherme.abuchahla@leibniz-zmt.de