Group photo taken in front of the Zoology Building
This year’s general assembly of the Freiburg cluster of excellence took place on the biology campus. With over 150 participants from the cluster and its neighboring departments, the event was very well received. Headlining were the scientists’ short presentations of their research results.
The scientific advisory board (SAB) emphasized the dawning of a “new stage of productivity” within the cluster. After having completed the first half of the funding period with a focus on more basic research, recent results, in materials research, for instance, showed great success in the development of electrodes and implants.
An inspiring keynote speech was also delivered by an advisory board member: Kensall Wise from the University of Michigan, who has been a central figure in US microsystems technology for over 50 years, pointed out that the future of the field lies in qualitative analysis rather than the further enhancement of recording options. Economist Michel Domsch, in a lecture about gender and career choice, discussed why successful career development of aspiring women is often characterized by overcoming typical gender barriers.
In addition, there were a feedback round of the junior scientists, a brainstorming workshop on the future of the cluster as well as a closed session of the SAB together with the executive board. During the breaks, the participants informed themselves about the sub-projects by going through a poster circuit and after the event, they were able to deepen their discussions while having dinner together.