Pathways in Physics: Dr. Matthias Schönborn - Biophysics, solar panels, batteries

Matthias Schönborn researched in biophysics and earned his doctorate at Freie Universität. Afterwards, he worked as a process engineer for solar and high-tech systems and dealt with sustainable technologies for a green future. Today, Matthias Schönborn builds batteries at Tesla. He will talk about his path from bachelor's degree to his job as engineer at Tesla.

Pathways in Physics: Paul Fährmann - Towards the quantum future

After finishing John Lennon Gymnasium in Berlin, Paul Fährmann studied physics at Freie Universität. For his outstanding master's thesis, Paul Fährmann received two awards: the Physics Study Award 2020 of the Physical Society of Berlin and the Quantum Future Award 2020 funded by Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Paul will talk about his pathway to studying physics and starting a research career in the Eisert’s group. What drives him to research quantum topics? How does he see our future?

Location: Online via Webex

Pathways in Physics: Prof. Dr. Christiane Koch - Stepping forward towards a professorship

Christiane Koch studied physics at Humboldt University and earned her doctorate at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society. As a young scientist, she participated in numerous research projects in Germany, Israel and France. Since 2019, Christiane Koch has been a professor of theoretical physics at Freie Universität. Christiane Koch will talk about her pathway from leading an Emmy Noether junior group towards a professorship at the Freie Universität. How can one become a professor? What is important for a successful career in academia and research?

Pathways in Physics: Dr. Jannis Fischer, the developer of medical technology and founder of Positrigo

Jannis Fischer, who was born in Berlin, gained a bachelor degree in Physics at our department. He then continued to graduate in physics at universities in Germany, Switzerland and the USA. During his research work at ETH Zurich, Jannis Fischer developed a new type of PET scanner that makes functional brain imaging at a fraction of today’s cost possible, thus enabling Alzheimer's prevention on a broad scale. Jannis Fischer will talk about his pathway from studying in Berlin to starting up Positrigo and share his vision for the future.

Location: Online via Webex

Pathways in Physics: Chiara Pasquini - Sustainable Energy

Chiara Pasquini researched as a PhD student at the Freie Universität on energy storage systems, in particular on catalysts for hydrogen production. Today, she works for a company that provides research and consulting services for European and global energy markets.

Location: Online via webex

Pathways in Physics: Dr. Alexander Goschew - Physicist in a Management Consultancy

Alexander Goschew studied, graduated and worked at our department. After working as a postdoc in Fumagalli's research group, he took a leap into a management consultancy and started advising financial institutions on digital transformation. Alexander Goschew will talk about his start in the consulting business and about his pathway as a physicist.

Location: online via Webex

Pathways in Physics

Online Talk for Students of Physics Different speakers will tell students about their own pathway in physics: why they became physicists, how they recognized what their interests in physics were and how they went about getting positions in research and industry. We invite speakers from the Department of Physics, different research institutions as well as from various industries. Meet Dr. Cynthia Heiner I see myself in many roles: a physicist, a teacher, a student, a woman in science, a mentor, a project coordinator, a researcher, and a science education specialist. All of these roles have shaped me, my work style, and my (thus far) career. I am happy to share my pathway - from astrophysics intern to experimental physicist to science education specialist and program coordinator - as you endeavour on your own pathway in physics. Join the event My pathway Bachelor in Physics with honors, University of New Hampshire (USA) PhD research in experimental Physics conducted at the Fritz Haber Institute in Berlin Postdoctoral research in physics education research with Nobel Prize winner Carl Wieman at the University of British Columbia (Canada) Coordinator for Mentoring and MINToring program; Science Education Specialist for the Learning and Teaching Strategy at Imperial College London My advice to all future physicists Allow yourself to make mistakes. Only then can you truly learn and push yourself outside of your comfort zone.