ERFAHRUNGSBERICHTE
Foto: © Anna Schröder
PROF. DR. ANNA SCHRÖDER
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Faculty of Biology
«I am deeply grateful to the Peter und Traudl Engelhorn Stiftung for its crucial support during the final phase of my postdoctoral training, which came at a pivotal moment as I prepared to transition to scientific independence. The fellowship enabled me to explore a new research direction that ultimately laid the foundation for my independent laboratory. It also provided the intellectual and professional freedom necessary to refine my ideas and compete successfully in the highly selective academic job market.
Shortly after the fellowship concluded, I began my appointment as a tenure-track Assistant (W2) Professor of Systemic Neuroscience at the Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich, supported by an ERC Starting Grant. I remain profoundly thankful to the Peter und Traudl Engelhorn Stiftung for helping to make this possible and for empowering me to embark on a challenging and innovative research path.
I sincerely hope the Foundation will continue to support many more promising young scientists as they pursue bold and impactful research in the years to come.»
Foto: © Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
PROF. DR. CHRISTINA E. WEINBERG
Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
«Thanks to the generous support of the Peter und Traudl Engelhorn Stiftung, I was able to dedicate myself fully to my research, leading to successful publications in peer-reviewed journals and the acquisition of additional third-party funding. These achievements opened the door to numerous follow-up projects, several of which laid the groundwork for new collaborations. The increased visibility and recognition in the field of catalytic RNAs also led to invitations to present my work at scientific conferences.
Most importantly, I am deeply grateful for the foundation’s flexibility during my parental leaves. This support was invaluable during a pivotal moment in my academic journey, enabling me to continue pursuing my career despite the demands of a growing family.
My heartfelt thanks to the Engelhorn Foundation!»
Foto: © Astrid Eckert
PROF. DR. HRISTO SVILENOV
Technische Unversität München, TUM School of Life Sciences
«The postdoctoral fellowship by the Peter und Traudl Engelhorn Stiftung has played a pivotal role in shaping my academic trajectory, serving as a crucial bridge between my doctoral studies and my transition into an independent principal investigator.
My experience as a fellowship holder was nothing short of exceptional. From the beginning, the application procedure was very clear, transparent, and efficient. I was particularly impressed by the fast evaluation process compared to other funding agencies.
As I reflect on the positive impact of the fellowship on my career, I hope that the Peter und Traudl Engelhorn Stiftung will support many more generations of postdoctoral researchers and thereby continue to foster outstanding Life Science research in the coming years.»
Foto: © Joanne Trinh
PROF. DR. JOANNE TRINH
Heisenberg Professor and Group Leader, University of Lübeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Institute of Neurogenetics
«The fellowship has allowed me to pursue my research goals on reduced penetrance on hereditary Parkinson’s disease. This grant led to the discovery of mitochondrial variants as disease onset biomarkers for PRKN/PINK1-related Parkinson’s disease. Furthermore, it served as a springboard to build my career and even achieve habilitation while on this award (only three years after my PhD). After the completion of the award, I continued to build up my research group, “Integrative omics in Parkinson’s disease”, with several DFG-, EKFS- and MJFF-funded grants. Recently, I secured tenure as a research group leader at the University of Lübeck, Institute of Neurogenetics.
I would not have been able to perform at this level without the Engelhorn Stiftung, especially now as a young mother of a one year old. The foundation has provided me with an opportunity for stability, which allowed me the freedom to work on higher risk scientific projects.»
Foto: © Ioana Ilie
DR. IR. IOANA M. ILIE
Assistant Professor, van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam
«The Peter and Traudl Engelhorn fellowship was essential in launching my independent research career. It provided me with the opportunity to broaden my research into Alzheimer’s disease, particularly by deepening my understanding of the mechanisms underlying amyloid-beta fibrillization. The insights I gained through this work could serve as a foundation for designing small-molecule modulators targeting (proto)fibrillar growth, potentially paving the way for innovative therapies. Additionally, the fellowship allowed me to expand my methodological toolkit, which now forms a core part of one of the research lines within my current group at the van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam.
Essentially, without this fellowship, I would not have been able to establish the foundation of my group focused on multiscale computational engineering of peptides for combating cancerous and neurodegenerative diseases. Its prestige and support have had a great impact on my career, providing both recognition and opportunity at a critical stage in my scientific journey.
I am deeply grateful to the Peter und Traudl Engelhorn Stiftung for the support and for helping me build a scientific community from the very beginning of my academic journey. I hope the fellowship will continue to support exceptional young researchers, the leaders of tomorrow, to accomplish their scientific ambitions and drive excellence in the Life Sciences.»
«In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity»
ALBERT EINSTEIN