Student Talents
(Vorländer cohort)
Annika Blum
Supervisor: Prof. Carla Schmidt
Contact: annika.blum@chemie.uni-halle.de
Biochemistry to me is the understanding of life on a molecular level. Amphiphilic molecules and interactions of different chemical compounds determine the life of every organism. That’s why the research and understanding of amphiphilicity is of great importance. BEAM connects scientist of different fields and provides an environment of learning and communication. I am looking forward to learn from and with other scientists in the field of amphiphilicity.
Philipp Hesse
Nominated by: Prof. Kirsten Bacia
Contact: philipp.hesse@student.uni-halle.de
My motivation in developing a further understanding for the complexity of life defines my scientific research and studies as a biochemist. I believe that we can only face the upcoming issues of our modern world by working together as a team and by increasingly communicating the fundamentals of science to the width of society.
Vanessa Jerschabek
Nominated by: Prof. Dariush Hinderberger
Contact: vanessa.jerschabek@student.uni-halle.de
The magic of science is stumbling over unexpected new discoveries and trying to understand and explaining those. Every little detail we discover will lead to a better understanding of nature and its smallest processes even if we do not know yet the purpose when we observe it first. I am looking forward for every little discovery we will find and which new ways we will pass down the road while working to put a new light on the complexity of amphiphilicity and all its facets.
Marlene Schneider
Supervisor: Prof. Dariush Hinderberger
Contact: rosa.schneider@chemie.uni-halle.de
My name is Marlene Schneider. Since 2019 I have been studying food chemistry at Martin-Luther-Universität. In my opinion the project “Beyond Amphiphilicity” shows the diversity and the importance of chemistry which surrounds us every day. I am motivated to learn more about it and so I am looking forward to working in a group to get an insight into work especially into the scientific research of the project.
Ali Hammoudi
Nominated by: Prof. Kirsten Bacia
Contact: ali.hammoudi@student.uni-halle.de
The overwhelming urge for an inherent understanding of life led me to the path of Biochemistry. It is truly stunning how the nature produced a species, which is able to comprehend the complexity of life itself. The contributions of life sciences to this matter are too many and too wondrous to do justice to; being gifts given to a well deserving world. People are calling out once more to science to lead, with our world being beset on all sides by critical dilemmas. A great responsibility, which holds a lot of chances in it.
Christian Hildebrand
Nominated by: Prof. Martin Weissenborn
Contact: christian.hildebrand@student.uni-halle.de
Enzymes have become an object of interest in the chemical industry because they are very useful as catalysts (e.g. if a reaction is supposed to yield a product with a well-defined stereochemistry) and they also comply with all criteria of so called “green chemistry” (Paul Anastas, John Warner 1998). As a part of my bachelor’s thesis I will synthesize substrates which could be converted to products that are valuable precursors, for example in the synthesis of medication. These conversions to a hydroxylated compound will be performed with the help of enzymes as bio catalysts. The group of enzymes that I will use are called UPOs (unspecific peroxygenase). They use hydrogen peroxide to insert a hydroxy group into the substrate by a radical mechanism. I want to investigate how good the different UPOs carry out the reaction regarding yield and the stereochemistry of the desired products.
Johannes KĂĽndiger
Supervisor: Prof. Dariush Hinderberger
Contact: johannes.kuendiger@student.uni-halle.de
From surfactants in detergents to emulsifiers in chocolate, those substances are playing a big role in everyday life. And as a student in food science, I strive to understand these from a different point of scientific view. This project is my chance to learn and enhance scientific skills and experience up close what it takes to research in a scientifically topic. I’m glad to be a part in the project as a BEAM talent and I’m looking forward to have a great time.
Katharina Schulz
Supervisor: Prof. Dariush Hinderberger
Contact: katharina.schulz@student.uni-halle.de
My interest in chemistry was initially aroused by daily phenonemons like the immiscibility of water and oil. Learning more about interactions of atoms and molecules I realized how important amphiphiles can be for fundamental knowledge about interactions in solution helping to create new materials and technologies based on their unique properties of hydro- and lipophilicity. Being a part of the RTG 2670, I am so happy and grateful to be able to continue research on amphiphiles and get access to amazing workshops and such a smart and kind network.