Interview

„My expectations were more than only met“

Hayat Mahmud had a GrK 1172 scholarship from September 2005 till September 2007. After her studies of biology at the university of Frankfurt the native-born from Ethiopia did her doctoral degree in Dr. Winfried Wels’ group with a thesis on the development of tumour specific antibody fusion proteins. Later on she started working as a scientific assistant in cancer research at the III. Medical and Polyclinic in Mainz in the department of experimental and translational oncology.

How did GrK 1172 called your attention?
I have already been a doctoral student at the Georg-Speyer-Haus when I heard from my supervisor about the GrK 1172 project.

What tipped the scales for your application for GrK 1172?
The interesting offer of courses in parallel to the work on the doctoral thesis.

What were your expectations to the program?
To gain a broad knowledge which should bring me further in regard to job and personality.

Did the program meet your expectations?
My expectations were more than only met. Additionaly to the scientific contributions I was able to profit of the personal contacts with the other doctoral candidates.

Had GrK workshops and interaction between the scholars been stimulating for you?
Yes, because of the GrK-events and discussions with the graduate students I was able to gain a different point of view on my own work, which was helpful in finding new solutions.

Do you think that scientific work profited from the integration of the doctorate in GrK 1172?
Yes, it has. One was able to gain insight in different methods and thereby obtained new stimulation for one’s own work.

Does your participation have any kind of positive influence of your further career planning or even of the acceptance of Sanofi-Aventis?
I think so. I am still busy with drug developement. And this was the area of the GrK program. So I think that this might had a positive influence on my job acceptance.

Whereby does your current work differ from GrK 1172 research?
As a scientific assistant you are less busy with learning than working with your gained knowledge to push and support projects and young academics.

Which are your advices to interested students?
To use the offers of the GrK program and to take as much as you can even if it sometimes seems to be too much to handle. It is worth it.