Advitiya Khandelwal
Spokesperson
Leibniz Institute on Aging (FLI)
I am a first year doctoral candidate at the Fritz Lipmann Institute – Leibniz Institute on Aging (FLI). I have always been fascinated by mortality and ageing and this drive has brought me to pursuing it as far as my PhD.
I did my undergraduate studies from Vellore Institute of Technology, India and I hold a bachelor’s of Technology in Biotechnology, and honed this skill further with a MSc in Biotechnology from the University of Glasgow, UK before coming to Jena at the FLI.
I was very inspired by the work of the previous steering committee and what called to me was a lack of awareness amongst the PhDs that such a platform and environment existed.
As the Section C Spokesperson, I hope to carry forward the flame passed on to me from Selma, and be the voice of the doctoral candidate from all the institutes in Section C. I intend on creating a safe environment for discussion and support for any and all things we face as PhDs. Further, I would hope to ensure that the systems the current and past steering committee have established stay well oiled and are distrubuted amongst all the institutes.
Contact: spokesperson[at]leibniz-phd.net
Julius Petrausch
Spokesperson
Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research (IPF)
I studied mechanical engineering at TU Dortmund University, located close to my hometown. After completing my master’s degree and writing my thesis in collaboration with industry, I began my doctoral research in Dortmund. Shortly afterward, I had the opportunity to continue this journey in Dresden at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research. My work focuses on packaging science, particularly the mechanical behavior of polymer materials. My daily tasks involve a fair balance between experimental work and computational analysis.
As a representative for the doctoral researchers at my institute, I learned about the various contract situations and the inequities in stipend conditions. In 2023, I joined the Working Group Survey and helped to launch the 2023/2024 survey. Furthermore, I gained valuable insights into the systemic issues of power abuse in academia, particularly through close contact with the Working Group on Contract Situations and the Prevention of Power Abuse. It was eye-opening and made me realize the great efforts required to implement systemic change, and the work still ahead of us.
This network has provided me with a great understanding of how academia functions, particularly within the Leibniz Association and some of its institutes. I am looking forward to discussing with you how we can help improve the conditions for doctoral researchers.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
Contact: spokesperson[at]leibniz-phd.net
Kalyan Pinninti
Treasurer
Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research
I am a second year doctoral candidate at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben. I hold a Master’s degree in AgriGenomics from the University of Kiel and a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Sciences from India. My research focuses on drought tolerance in barley, aiming to identify genes responsible for this trait utilizing high-throughput phenotyping systems and transcriptomic analyses.
After attending the Future Workshop 2024 as a PhD representative of my institute, I was motivated to take an active role in the PhD Network Steering Committee. I was particularly inspired by the Team’s efforts to address key challenges faced by many PhD researchers. As a Treasurer of the present steering committee I am committed to helping organise more events and workshops that foster a supportive, engaged, and collaborative PhD community.
Contact: treasurer[at]leibniz-phd.net
Nicolas Dittgen
Section A Spokesperson
Leibniz Institute for Maritime History
I studied Cultural Anthropology at the University of Tübingen, Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, and the University of Basel. After completing my Master’s degree, I worked in the museum sector. At the Baden State Museum, I completed a two-year traineeship (Volontariat). After that, I worked on digital projects at the Klassik Stiftung Weimar, where I co-developed various applications aimed at improving the visitor experience. Following this practical experience, I decided to begin a PhD position at the German Maritime Museum.
As a doctoral researcher, I focus on participation and digitality in museums and how these two aspects interact. Through several case studies in different museums across Germany, I examine how museum professionals implement and understand these concepts.
As the representative for doctoral researchers at my institute, I organise group events such as writing days. It’s a small institute, so there are not as many PhD students compared to other institutions. As a member of the steering committee, my goal is to serve as a bridge between the PhD students of Section A and the Leibniz Association.
Contact: section_a[at]leibniz-phd.net
Lena Rembser
Section B Spokesperson
Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences
I am a PhD student at GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences in Mannheim, where I work in the Survey Project Management of the GESIS Panel.pop Population Sample. My research focuses on the extent to which it is necessary to include respondents who cannot or do not want to participate in online surveys in representative general population samples. I previously studied sociology and demography in Bamberg and Barcelona and had spent my childhood and youth in Geneva and neighboring France. Living and experiencing life in four different countries has given me wide cultural experiences, openness, and a global mindset.
What I particularly appreciate about the Leibniz PhD Network is the exchange of different perspectives. Here, doctoral students from various disciplines and locations exchange ideas and experiences. Although we all work at different Leibniz research institutes, we all share a similar working environment and working day in many ways. I have experienced an open, interesting, and warm atmosphere at the General Assembly 2025 in Berlin and have seen how influential and inspiring the network is for many in terms of their horizons, work, and self-image as aspiring scientists. I also appreciate the internationality of the PhD Network and the Leibniz Institutes. Science thrives on global networking, and I greatly appreciate feeling like I am part of that in the PhD Network.
As Spokesperson for Section B, I want to promote low-threshold exchange between the PhD students within Leibniz Section B. I would like to encourage both informal exchanges and serious debates, and I am looking forward to e.g., supporting organize events. I would also like to utilize the skills I have acquired through my work in survey project management to contribute to the Leibniz PhD Survey.
Contact: section_b[at]leibniz-phd.net
Dipendu Dhar
Section C Spokesperson
Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry
I am a 2nd year doctoral candidate at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB) and you can also call me Dip. My research is focused on computational chemistry, specifically utilizing AI and machine learning for protein modelling and simulation. My fascination with understanding and engineering the intricate machineries and mathematical interpretations of biological systems interacting with chemical entities in a complex biological system of a living organism is what drew me to pursue such abstract ideas as a part of my doctoral research.
I hold a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg and previously completed my undergraduate in Chemical Engineering at the Haldia Institute of Technology in Haldia, India. This background has provided me with a strong foundation in biology, chemistry and advanced computational techniques that are critical for my work.
Taking over the role from the previous spokesperson, Advitya, I was inspired by the work done to foster community and support for doctoral researchers. I believe that many PhDs are unaware of the resources and networks available to them within the Leibniz Association’s Section C. As the Section C Spokesperson, I am dedicated to carrying on the legacy of my predecessors by being a clear and effective voice for all doctoral candidates in the life sciences institutes. I will prioritize creating a supportive environment for open discussion, ensuring that the systems established by previous steering committees continue to operate smoothly and benefit every institute in our section. I am committed to making sure that every PhD feels heard, supported, and connected.
Contact: section_c[at]leibniz-phd.net
Johanna Richter
Section D Spokesperson
Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)
I am a doctoral researcher specializing in electron and spin dynamics at the Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI). Through my work, I aim to deepen our understanding of ultrafast magnetic processes and their potential applications.
As a representative for Section D, I look forward to connecting with fellow researchers and fostering collaboration within our section!
Contact : section_d[at]leibniz-phd.net
Daniel Edem Halolo
Section E Spokesperson
Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e. V.
Daniel Edem Halolo is an agricultural scientist specializing in Agroecology, greenhouse gas fluxes, and climate-resilient crop production systems in Africa. Currently working as doctoral researcher at the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) in Germany, he focuses on advancing sustainable solutions that improve water-use efficiency, soil health, and environmental outcomes for smallholder farming communities.
Edem’s research integrates soil amendments (compost, biochar, amorphous silica, and rice-ash–derived silicon), water-saving agronomic practices such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD), and innovative measurement technologies for gas fluxes and plant spectral responses. His ongoing experiment examines the combined effects of silicon sources, nutrient strategies, and water regimes on emissions, nutrient cycling, and plant performance, using low-cost, semi-automated chamber systems that he helps to build.
He holds an MPhil in Crop Science from the University of Ghana and has built strong expertise in plant nutrition, soil–water interactions, and cost-effective monitoring tools for field and controlled-environment studies. His broader regional work aims to identify land-use practices and crop rotations that reduce stress on the water cycle in the Guinea Savannah Zone while supporting resilient, profitable farming.
Driven by a passion for practical, farmer-centered innovation, Edem works to bridge the gap between advanced scientific research and the realities faced by resource-limited smallholder farmers. His long-term goal is to contribute scientific evidence and scalable strategies that improve food security, boost climate resilience, and promote sustainable land and water management across Africa.
Contact: section_e[at]leibniz-phd.net