Interview

„It is always beneficial to crosslink with other scientists”

Dana Schiefelbein had a GrK 1172 scholarship from September 2005 till August 2008. After her studies of biochemistry at the university of Hannover the native-born from Soltau came to Frankfurt to dedicate herself to pharmacological studies. In Dr. Frank’s group at the Institute of General Pharmacology and Toxicology she did her doctor’s degree on wound healing in healthy and in diabetic mice. Shortly after that she started her new job as a trainee for business assistance with Sanofi-Aventis Germany GmbH in Frankfurt. She is the first student of GrK 1172 who earned her doctorate.

How did GrK 1172 called your attention? What tipped the scales for your application for GrK 1172?
In these days I directly applied to Dr. Frank because the doctoral theme sounded very interesting. When it came to the job interview I found out that this job had been integrated in the new founded GrK 1172. In the end the attractive theme as well as doing my doctor’s degree in a DFG promoted graduate school had been the crucial points to accept this job offer. I think the combination of working groups’ interesting themes and offered workshops for scholars is one of the major strength of GrK 1172.

What had were your expectations to the program?
On the one hand the aim is the doctoral degree itself, which is carried out in one’s own working group. On the other hand I wanted to broaden up my mind to the point of realising which kind of working areas could be attractive for me after my doctoral degree.

Did the program meet your expectations?
Yes, entirely. I successfully earned my doctoral degree after three years and was able to gain experience, which had been valuable for my entrance to industry afterwards.

Had GrK workshops and interaction between the scholars been stimulating for you?
Of course, as a member of GrK you have a lot of contact to others. Feedback from others after presenting your own results on regularly meetings had been really valuable for me.

Do you think that scientific work profited from the integration of the doctorate in GrK 1172?
I think that it is always an advantage to cross-link with other scientists.

Does your participation have any kind of positive influence of your further career planning or even of the acceptance of Sanofi-Aventis?
Nowadays a lot of jobs assume some experience in the areas of GMP or GLP. GrK 1172 provided such workshops and seminars for us. I don’t know if these certificates made sure that I got my acceptance for the jqob. But I am sure that it wasn’t amiss.

Whereby does your current work differ from GrK 1172 research?
Research at university cannot be compared to most of the jobs in industry. Personally, I do not work in the lab anymore but have an office job. Those things you learn during your studies or your doctorate can be sporadically brought in but most of my work is new to me and I have to learn it right from the ground up.