"Learning from mistakes, staying committed, and growing from the experience—this applies to both research and caregiving"

You joined HZI last summer and now lead the MICROSTAR junior research group "Early Life Immunity." What is the main goal of your research?

Together with my four-person team, I aim to investigate the unique properties of the neonatal gut immune system and, based on these insights, develop improved approaches for oral vaccines for newborns. We are particularly interested in how different known and novel vaccine adjuvants—substances that enhance immune responses—affect gut immune cells. Our research employs a combination of mouse models, genetic systems, and cutting-edge technologies, including next-generation single-cell analysis. This allows us to observe, in real time, how individual immune cells in the intestine respond to stimuli, such as vaccine adjuvants. In low-resource countries, infectious diseases still cause high morbidity and mortality among children. A well-designed oral vaccine tailored to the neonatal immune system could be a game-changer.

You have a family, with two children aged five and nine. How do you balance research and caregiving?

(laughs) I’m not sure if I manage it perfectly—balancing research and family is definitely a challenge! Right now, I’m experiencing the "rush hour of life" every single day. Research involves long working hours, and flexibility is essential—lab experiments take as long as they take. Mobility is also crucial, for example, to attend international conferences. However, I prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities within my team to focus on the most critical aspects of my work. At home, my partner and I share caregiving duties. Having a reliable partnership is key!

What do you find particularly challenging?

Time is an extremely limited resource. Everything—daily routines, travel for conferences—has to be carefully planned. And then, of course, there are the unpredictable challenges, such as illness or daycare closures, which require immediate solutions. It can be exhausting and stressful. However, having strong family support helps. We are fortunate that the grandparents can step in when needed. I’m incredibly grateful for that.

How do you unwind in your free time?

Good question! (laughs) Weekends are dedicated to family. I try to stick to that because it’s essential for long-term sustainability in my career. I really enjoy weekends—we go on outings, play games, or watch movies together. That’s my way of recharging! There’s not much time for anything else right now. I do feel that personal time is limited, but at the same time, I have a fulfilling job that allows me to be creative, design new experiments, explore innovative research approaches, and work independently. That’s something I deeply appreciate. It’s truly rewarding!

Do you think role models are important for young female researchers?

Absolutely! Role models are incredibly important. Young women considering a research career need to see that it is possible to combine science and family life. We need visible examples—women and men who excel in research, hold leadership positions, and also share caregiving responsibilities. Seeing that it works, that the two can coexist, is both inspiring and empowering. Before I had children, I would have loved to see more role models ...

Despite the challenges, you pursued both research and family life and have clearly not regretted it. What advice do you have for young scientists?

The most important thing is to be truly passionate about your research! Just as crucial is finding the right environment—research is far more rewarding when you work in a place that supports and challenges you. Women should seek research environments that actively promote gender equality and career development. And, as a researcher, you must develop resilience. Science involves setbacks—experiments fail, hypotheses turn out to be incorrect, and research paths sometimes lead to dead ends. The key is to learn from mistakes, stay persistent, and grow from the experience. This applies to both research and caregiving!

Interview: Nicole Silbermann