Portrait of Tabitha Amollo

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In: BESSYBeamlineScientists, Conference, Energymaterials, International, International Collaboration, PhDlife, Science Communication

Dr. Tabitha A. Amollo is a researcher and lecturer at Egerton University in Njoro in Kenya. She holds a Ph.D. in physics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Her research interests focus on developing cutting-edge nanomaterials for energy conversion devices including graphene nanomaterials. She published a number of articles in reputable journals. At Egerton University, she is the head of a young team to explore dye-sensitive solar cells, she is a chairperson of the Physics Department, and she coordinates the undergraduate program and gives lectures to undergraduates and postgraduate physics students. Here in Germany, there are not many women in physics. How is itRead More →

Portrait picture of Nancy Ochiba.

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In: BESSYBeamlineScientists, Energymaterials, International, International Collaboration, Science Communication

In April, Nancy Ochiba was a guest at HZB in Berlin doing research on nanoparticles. “I made good use of the time,” says the young chemist from Nairobi, Kenya. First she took part in the Photon School for young scientists, then she joined the lab at the Institute for Solar Fuels as a guest researcher. “Here I can benefit from technology that is not available to me at the Kenya University of Technology. For example, I have now examined my samples under a scanning electron microscope.” Research for a better future Nancy is in the first year of her PhD. What motivates her? She wantsRead More →

Portrait of Lucy Ombaka (right) next to Antje Vollmer (left)

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In: BESSYBeamlineScientists, Careers, Diversity, International, Science Communication

The 2023 User Meeting BESSY@HZB end of June welcomes Kenya as country of honour. Dr Lucy Ombaka from Technical University of Kenya in Nairobi tells us how she got to know about BESSY II light source and how she motivates women in science.  Early May 2023 when we talk, Lucy Ombaka is just back from Berlin, where she spent a few days with the Humboldt Foundation. In 2018 she was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship there. Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), Lucy holds a PhD in nanotechnology and catalysis. “I met Antje Vollmer1 from BESSY II during an online Humboldt-Symposium.Read More →

Antje Vollmer with a group of scientists from Kenya

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In: BESSYBeamlineScientists, Careers, Diversity, International, Science Communication

The BESSY@HZB user meeting will take place at the end of June 2023. For the first time, there will be a country of honour, Kenya. Antje Vollmer, BESSY II spokesperson, tells us how this came about and why it is important to work at eye level with researchers from other countries. Science diplomacy has long been a central theme for Antje Vollmer. She recalls that a lecture by Rolf-Dieter Heuer1 had a particular impact on her: “He spoke about the importance of CERN beyond science, and the role of large-scale research institutions for international cooperation and science diplomacy.” At BESSY II, international collaborations in thisRead More →

A group of diverse, unique people. Visualisation of diversity. Decorative.

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In: Careers, Diversity, Science Communication

Diversity is a very hot topic at the moment. All over we see campaigns about it, companies waking up to its profit potential, and institutions wanting to harness its creative power. What do we mean when we use the word diversity, what is its scope? Who do we want to reach and who feels spoken to when we say that diversity matters? Unique people living together Simply put, diversity is the existence of a wide variation of characteristics in a group of people. When we say diversity matters, we are recognizing and valuing that variation, and aiming at promoting fair treatment and full participation ofRead More →

Portrait foto of Mahmoud Hussein

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In: Careers, Diversity, International, PhDlife, Students

Mahmoud Hussein is a PhD candidate at the department for active materials and interfaces for stable perovskite solar cells. In this interview he talks about his experiences working in international teams and how different cultures can contribute to scientific progress by encouraging creative thinking. What is important to you about diversity? The most important aspect in diversity, for me, is having people from different cultures and from different backgrounds – and different science perspectives. That’s very important because this is one of the main driving forces of science. Why? Because when you take people. from different backgrounds, from different educational systems, different academic sub fields,Read More →

Portrait of Aarthi Nandy

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In: Careers, Diversity, International, Science Communication

Aarthi Nandy studied chemical engineering at the University of Bath in England and then lived and worked in the UK for several years. Aarthi Nandy has been working at HZB since March 2021, first in the procurement team of the dismantling project and now in the user coordination department. A talk about privilege at work and in professional context. What do you do at HZB? Since February 2023, I have been in the User Coordination department, which looks after measurement guests from all over the world. I am responsible for quality management. Our users are very international, which is very exciting! I’m also the deputyRead More →

A portrait picture of Ulli Schade

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In: Careers, Diversity

Dr Ulrich Schade has been with BESSY II from the beginning and has built up and further developed the IRIS beamline. A wide variety of materials are studied there with infrared or terahertz radiation, from biological cells to superconductors to archaeological finds. Today, he will talk with us about respect, diversity, and a good life in a collaborative environment. What is particularly important to you when it comes to diversity? In my environment, i.e. in research, this is not really a problem. I am very open about it and have never seen diversity as negative: Everyone has the same rights. But of course, discrimination happensRead More →

Portrait of Lisa Seelau

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In: Careers, Diversity, International, PhDlife, Science Communication, Students

Lisa Seelau is a HR specialist for personnel marketing and participates in the LGBTQ group at HZB. Diversity plays a big role in her everyday professional life. In this talk, she mentions how much a culture of openness and exchange about different perspectives enriches her. What is important to you when it comes to diversity? I firmly believe that diversity in a company brings new ideas and perspectives. It changes the view that has existed for a long time, the heteronormative view of the cis-white male. There are also numerous studies showing that diversity makes companies more successful. Diversity works best when there is trainingRead More →

Portrait picture of Nomi Sorgenfrei

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In: Careers, Diversity, International, PhDlife, Science Communication, Students

Physicist Dr Nomi Sorgenfrei develops methods and instruments for research with X-ray light at BESSY II at HZB and investigates catalytically active thin films herself. A conversation about privileges, diversity at work, and intersectional forms of discrimination. What is particularly important to you when it comes to diversity? The appreciation of all people with their different backgrounds, whether cultural, religious or gender. We all just want to have a good life and contribute to society. And it is very good when people with different perspectives contribute. At what points in your work does diversity play a role? Very practically in the daily encounter with peopleRead More →