Profiles of our members

The Elite Network of Bavaria is brought to life by its members. We’d like to introduce a few of them as they describe their experiences and future plans.

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Porträt Jasmin Katharina Stein, geb. Shokoui

In the Elite Network of Bavaria, I have found the intellectual environment that I have always wanted.

Jasmin Katharina Stein, geb. Shokoui • Max Weber Program, Elite Graduate Program

As an alumna of the Elite Graduate Program RESET (Responsibility in Science, Engineering and Technology) and the Max Weber Program, Jasmin Katharina Stein (née Shokoui) is connected to the Elite Network in many ways. She not only benefited from the academic and financial support, but also made great use of the additional opportunities for personal development.

Ms. Stein, what are you currently working on?

I am currently at the beginning of a PhD in Science, Technology and Society Studies on the topic of responsibility and innovation dynamics in the field of quantum computing. This field is particularly attractive due to its current rapid development. Many things that were previously inconceivable are now feasible and companies are sensitized to this 'AI of tomorrow'. Technological developments have a strong influence on social coexistence within society. For example, I examine why some people are more receptive to new technological developments than others and what impact these different attitudes towards technology have on society. I would describe the second dimension of my work as responsibility: How can future technology development be shaped responsibly?

You completed your Master's degree in the Elite Graduate Program "Responsibility in Science, Engineering and Technology (RESET)". Why did you choose this course and what was special about it compared to a regular one?

At first, I found the term " Elite Graduate Program" intimidating and I didn't know whether I could actually trust my abilities. Now I am very glad that I had the courage to apply. The RESET program not only inspired me in terms of the subject matter, but also contributed to my development thanks to the close relationship between the lecturers and students. Without this academic, organisational and personal guidance, my path would certainly have been different! This type of mentoring is particularly valuable for young people like me who don't come from an academic background. Events such as a team-building weekend have brought us even closer together as a group. Through the Elite Graduate Program, I was also recommended for the Max Weber Program, which opened up even more opportunities for me.

Can you explain this in more detail? What opportunities were offered to you through the Elite Network?

Thanks to the support of the Elite Network, I was able to complete an internship in Copenhagen and take part in an Italian language course in Florence. Not only did I discover new languages, different societies and cultures, but I also made friends for life. I also remember very well a conference at the Akademie für Politische Bildung in Tutzing on the subject of "Power", which was intellectually very stimulating. Finally, I rediscovered my love of playing the violin by taking part in the music academy. In the Elite Network of Bavaria, I found the intellectual environment that I had always wanted.

You have been active in many ways for the Elite Network of Bavaria, for example as a "Weberin vor Ort". What drives you?

Through my involvement, I wanted to give something back. As a "Weberin vor Ort", I organised various events for other members of the Max Weber Program in Munich - everything from a philosophy evening to yoga session. I got to know so many inspiring individuals in the Elite Network and then wanted to bring people with similar interests together to initiate collaborations or friendships. It also taught me how to coordinate large groups and take responsibility for them.

What advice would you give to young people who are considering applying for a program of the Elite Network?

Just try it, even if you have reservations about it. Seize this unique opportunity!

There is no such valuable guidance as that provided by a mentor who has already walked the path.

Prof. Dr. Tobias Vogl • Max Weber Program

Quantum technology - everyone has heard of it, but very few people have a concrete understanding of it. Prof. Dr. Tobias Vogl, alumnus of the Max Weber Program, is a professor at the Technical University of Munich in the field of quantum communication. He gave the Elite Network an insight into this exciting field and his career.

Professor Vogl, can you briefly introduce yourself and your research?

I have been Professor of Quantum Communication Systems Engineering at the Technical University of Munich since July 2023. Quantum communication is about encoding information from single light particles and using them as a means of communication. The benefit of this is that this information medium cannot be manipulated or intercepted - this is very important for encryption. Current encryption methods will no longer be secure in the foreseeable future, so quantum communication is a possible alternative in the future. Basic research has been conducted for 40 years, but the technical implementation is very complex. The light is to be transmitted by satellite. We are currently in the process of building a satellite that can be used for quantum communication with various locations around the world. There are still a few obstacles to overcome, from the energy supply of the components on the satellite to vibrations during the rocket launch - so it keeps being exciting!

What were the most important stages of your career and why did you choose Bavaria as a science location?

After studying at LMU Munich, I completed my doctorate in Canberra, Australia, where I was able to develop the basic technology for my research. After my doctorate, I led a junior research group in Jena and was awarded the € 400,000 "INNOspace Masters Award" from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in 2021. However, my longer-term goal was always to return to Bavaria, partly for family reasons and partly because of the excellent conditions for quantum technology in and around Munich. The appointment to the professorship at TUM with initial funding from Munich Quantum Valley was completely unexpected for me and shows that quantum technology is no longer a curiosity from the laboratory, but can actually be applied. Fortunately, Bavaria has understood that it is important to be internationally competitive in this security-relevant field in order to avoid having to buy the technology from other countries and to create local value chains.

How did you become a member of the Elite Network of Bavaria and what did you gain by joining it?

I had heard from a fellow student about the university selection for the Max Weber Program. I asked a professor whether he would recommend me for funding and at the same time I was nominated by the examination board. I was very happy to be accepted and benefited greatly from the funding. For example, I was able to take part in a language course in England, which greatly improved my academic English. I also remember a soft skills seminar in Beilngries on scientific writing, which taught me great techniques to present my scientific findings in publications and talks, which I still use in my work today. After all, science is also about making topics accessible to the wider public and not just the scientific community.

Why and how are you involved in the Elite Network?

Mentoring under the Max Weber Program had a profound impact on me. Prof. Sausen from DLR Oberpfaffenhofen gave me valuable advice and allowed me a deep insight into his research areas. He also taught me what it means to work in research and what is important when planning a scientific career. There is no such valuable guidance as that provided by a mentor who has already walked the path. Based on this positive experience, I myself am involved in the Max Weber Program as a reviewer in the selection seminar and as a mentor. I would like to be the contact person for all possible questions relating to studies and research and not only impart content, but also pass on my personal experience.

I’ve been privileged to have great opportunities, and I want to pave the way for more girls and people of different ethnic groups to take up places in STEM.

Aisha Abdul Quddus • Elite Graduate Program

Aisha Abdul Quddus, a graduate of the Advanced Materials and Processes (MAP) Elite Graduate Program, has a very vibrant and energetic personality. Since coming to Erlangen from Pakistan to join the MAP program, she has managed to bring people together and to inspire them with her academic brilliance and with her commitment to helping others.

Best possible study conditions

After completing her bachelor’s degree at the University of Qatar, Aisha was interested in both chemistry and materials science. For her, the MAP Elite Graduate Program was “the best of both worlds”, giving her insights into many different topics with real-world applications, taught by excellent experts. She particularly appreciated the support she got from the dedicated MAP staff, from adjusting to life in Germany to organising stays abroad. Aisha received a one-year scholarship from MAP and the financial support helped her tremendously to focus on her studies. The workshops and seminars included in the program, as well as the alumni meetings, helped her to develop her soft skills and social network.

An outstanding student

During her studies, Aisha was involved in many community activities, both outside and within the MAP program, including focusing on the welfare and integration of international students. She helped them find accommodation, answered their questions and generally made them feel at home. Her commitment to others is driven by a desire to be the best version of herself, making the most use of her resources and skills. She wants to use her abundant energy to make a difference. In recognition of her achievements, Aisha was awarded the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Prize in 2023. It honours international students at the FAU who have made a lasting impression during their studies in Germany through their outstanding academic achievements and their commitment to social or intercultural projects.

Aisha’s mission

Coming from a family of engineers, her interest in chemical engineering came naturally, but in her field she was usually the only woman on any team. Her dream is to advocate for bias-free workplaces for everyone and she aspires to be a female role model: “I’ve been privileged to have great opportunities, and I want to pave the way for more girls and people of different ethnic groups to take up places in STEM.”

After graduating from MAP in 2023, Aisha took her first steps in the corporate world. During her internships at Agfa in Antwerp and RWE in Essen, she discovered her passion for managing her own projects and developing real products for real customers. She feels that she still has so much left to learn and this is what drives her to meet new people, share her story, and take every opportunity to learn.

A woman with long, brown hair sits at her desk and smiles at the camera.

Expose yourself to new experiences and challenge yourself.

Prof. Dr. Nora Kory • Max Weber Program

MWP alumna Nora Kory studied biochemistry at LMU Munich and heads her own independent research group at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. There she encourages young researchers to try new approaches and ideas.

Ms. Kory, you are an Assistant Professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. What research questions are you currently working on?

I am currently working on finding out how mitochondria, the power plants and met-abolic spaces of our cells, exchange metabolic products and enzymatic co-factors with the rest of the cell. Mitochondria play an important role in central biological processes. In order to fulfill their diverse functions, mitochondria constantly exchange molecules with the rest of the cell. This exchange takes place via transport proteins in the inner mitochondrial membrane. We want to understand exactly how these processes take place at the molecular level. We are also investigating the role that transport processes in mitochondria play in ageing processes and in dis-eases such as diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

You come from Heidelberg and studied molecular biology at LMU Munich. What academic path or what decisions led you to the USA?

As I became particularly interested in the regulation of metabolic processes at the cell biological level during my studies at LMU Munich, and the Gene Center at LMU was mainly specialized in structural biology at the time, I sought research experience outside the university early on, for example at ETH Zurich and the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried. I first ventured to the USA for my Master's thesis. There I had the opportunity to work for nine months in a world-leading laboratory at the Whitehead Institute/MIT. Ultimately, I was attracted by the way fundamental questions are asked in research here and new methods are developed and applied to answer them. That's why I decided to do my PhD and post-doc on the East Coast. When I applied for professorships and independent group leader positions, I saw a tenure track position in Boston as a unique opportunity not only to build up my research program, but also to develop it in new directions in the long term.

Looking back, what role did the Max Weber Program play on this path?

The Max Weber Program has given me the opportunity to interact with other students pursuing similar goals and to connect with mentors who have guided me along the way. This network has opened doors for other scholarships and research opportunities.

Today you work as a professor at Harvard. Would you say that this is a dream come true for you?

When I started my studies, I certainly would never have dreamed of one day working as a professor at Harvard. When it became clear to me towards the end of my PhD that it would be a dream for me to lead an independent research group, that was my main motivation to do a postdoc and also to stay in the USA. The feeling of walking into my lab for the first time and seeing a whole team working on my ideas is indescribable. I am grateful to be able to work with colleagues from all over the world who are enthusiastic about our research questions. It's great how often you come into contact with other researchers who have discovered fundamental correlations and on whose work entire fields of research are based.

You started out as a doctoral student and postdoc in the USA. You now work there yourself with junior researchers. Would MWP scholarship holders have the opportunity to apply to you?

The experience I gained here as a master's student has shaped me in the long term and my team and I are happy to pass on our knowledge and enthusiasm for basic research into the role of cellular organelles in metabolism and how changes in them lead to diseases. We have interesting research projects that motivated students can work on. This works best in the context of a stay of at least five or six months, so that there is sufficient time to familiarize yourself with the laboratory and hopefully contribute to a publication. Interested scholarship holders are welcome to apply to us - motivation, previous research experience, personal initiative and grades are aspects that we take into account.

What recommendation would you give young people today for a career in science - whether in Germany or the USA?

Invest in your training and take advantage of the opportunities that are offered to you. Expose yourself to new experiences and challenge yourself. Go to a laboratory where you will learn to ask fundamental research questions, think independently and question traditional assumptions and contexts. Dare to try out new things, for example experiments, and make mistakes - these often lead to new and unexpected findings.

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