Team:TU Darmstadt/Team
Team
Alexandra Goretzki
Age: 20
Studies: Biology B. Sc.
Semester: 4
My enthusiasm for iGEM is based on the hope to change something. I am interested in exploring something new instead of repeating already made tests of other scientist.
Anastasia Weyrich
Age: 20
Semester: 4
I am in the second year of my studies of BME and participate iGEM for the first time. I think it is exciting to have an own research project within synthetic biology. It offers me the chance to put forth own ideas and gain practical experiences besides student internships. I look forward to expand my horizon and cope with the coming challenges within the team.
Andreas Muttscheller
Studies: Computer Science B. Sc.
My name is Andreas Muttscheller and I am taking part in iGEM for the first time this year. Within this competition, many different people from a wide range of faculties work together on one project, putting all of their efforts into it. That is what motivated me to take part in this interdisciplinary project, far from everyday life at University hoping to gather more knowledge and experiences.
Benedict Spannenkrebs
Age: 21
Studies: Biomolecular Engineering B. Sc.
Semester: 4
This year I participate the iGEM team for the first time. In particular, I am looking forward to the practical work in the Lab, which outruns normal internships. Additionally, I enjoy working in a team and want to connect my skills with current aspects.
Benjamin Mayer
Age: 27
Studies: Computer Science B. Sc., Physics M. Sc.
Semester:
Hi, my name is Benjamin Mayer, I am currently studying at the TU Darmstadt for my bachelor's degree in computer science and my master's degree in physics. I initially learned about iGEM during my bachelor thesis at the Computational Biology and Simulation group. As physicist and computer scientist I am equipped with a relatively broad theoretical knowledge from which I want to contribute to the team, e.g., in the field of modeling. For me personally iGEM is a chance to work with a large team, in comparison to the group sizes common for my field of study, on an interesting and multidisciplinary subject. Thus, through iGEM I can broaden my scope of knowledge and learn new team competences.
Bianca Reisinger
Age: 22
Studies: Biology B. Sc.
Semester: 4
iGEM is the first big project I am working on since the beginning of my studies. I am glad that I found a project which offers me the opportunity to work autonomously and independently from required classes. I am already excited about the challenges that are awaiting our team.
Carmen Sakas Gandullo
Age: 21
Semester: 6
I study biology in the sixth semester and learned about iGEM from members of the team. Immediately, I wanted to join them because I like the idea of creating an independent project. The knowledge learned during such a project is unique even at university. Thus, I see a one time chance to gain new experiences related to teamwork, lab skills, project design and much more and look forward to the work in the team.
Christian Sator
Age: 27
Semester:
I joined iGEM because I like the idea of tackling a complex issue together with a team and work out solutions for it. I think iGEM is a great opportunity to experience independent and interdisciplinary research and to broaden one’s mind. I’m looking forward to learn new stuff and meet lots of interesting people.
Christian Sürder
Age: 29
Studies: Physics M. Sc.
Semester: 13
I have worked as a speech trainer and team attendant at the TU Darmstadt for a couple of years and supervised various student projects. I deal with issues of team formation, project control and interdisciplinary cohesion. Additionally, I am interested in the design and presentation of scientific contents like didactic reconditioning and mediation of complex topics. Already in 2014, I participated iGEM as project attender. This way I could gain much experience related to project control and teamwork. This year I want to gather these experiences to push the team using appropriate structures and improved concepts. Especially, I bear the challenge of the multidisciplinarity and I hope I can facilitate the establishment of iGEM as interdisciplinary competition of note within the TU Darmstadt.
Daniel Stumpf
Age: 22
Semester: 6
As one of several „winter-newcomers“ of the iGEM-team TU Darmstadt, I would like to come along with the enormously successful way the team started in 2014, and to take everything with me that is connected with such a big project. I am sure, that I will learn a lot in these months, from teambuilding to performing, as well as useful skills concerning the laboratory work. I really look forward to the collaboration within the team and the exciting challenges we are going to face until our final project is going to reveal the final results and we are allowed to present them on the big stage.
Elena Tonchevska
Age: 22
Studies: Biology B. Sc.
Semester: 6
I belong to the newest members of the iGEM team of TU Darmstadt. My goal is to diversify my studies as much as possible. iGEM is perfect for this. I am looking forward to be part of this project in which I can learn much about working in the lab as well as in the team.
Fabian Rohden
Age: 24
Studies: Biology B. Sc.
Semester:
Hello! My name is Fabian Rohden and I study Biology in the fifth semester.I heard about iGEM from some Biomoleculer Engineering students and really liked the idea of working on an interesting project in addition to the normal university studies. Through iGEM I hope to learn a lot about synthetic biology but also about the organization of science projects.
Florian Dewald
Studies: Computer Science B. Sc.
This year is the first time that I am taking part in iGEM. I am excited to work with many different people at our independently worked out project. I hope to be able to help bring this team to success.
Isabella Döll
Studies: Computer Science B. Sc.
This year is the first time that I am taking part in iGEM. I am excited to work with many different people at our independently worked out project. I hope to be able to help bring this team to success.
Jasmin Weber
Age: 24
Semester: 8
I joined the iGEM team at a relative late time point of my studies. However, so far I have had only very few contact with synthetic biology. In the team I want to learn more about this field of biology and improve my scientific skills in the laboratory. I think our project is great and offers the opportunity to get insight into what it is like to do real research. Also, it is perfect to meet many people who are interested in the same topic, which enables the exchange of experiences.
Jonas Sindlinger
Age: 20
Studies: Biology B. Sc.
Semester: 4
What inspired me to participate in our iGEM team was the prospect of working on my own terms. To me it represents the possibility to escape the routines of the school-like everyday life of being a student and to gain knowledge autodidactically, which I would not otherwise.
Jonathan Pletzer-Zelgert
Age: 21
Semester: 4
Even before I started my Bachelor in Biomolecular Engineering at TU Darmstadt I knew that I wanted to join the local iGEM Team. The possibility of being part in a group which actually does research this early in a scientific career was a huge motivation in school and later at university. Moreover synthetic biology itself fascinated me like no other science and just after a few months in my Bachelor I could say that I picked the right subject and definately had to spend a semester in the iGEM Lab. This year I am in my fourth semester and finally able to participate. Beside everything we want to accomplish I´m also thrilled to learn Lab skills in such an intensity university itself often can´t provide.
Kathrin Hadasch
Studies: Biology B.Sc.
This year is the first time that I am taking part in iGEM. I am excited to finally work with many different people at our independently worked out project and help this team to live up on to last years’ achievements by bringing in my skills in the field of bioinformatics.
Laurin Monnheimer
Age: 25
Semester: 10
This year is my third time in the iGEM team. Again, it offers me the opportunity to cope with scientific issues in a practical manner. Thus it enables the one time chance to gather valuable insight and experiences to evolve myself. I expect from the project that we present a solid solution and that I can gain experiences and have fun as part of the team.
Leon Kraus
Studies: Biology B. Sc.
I am one of the many new members of this year’s iGEM team. The achievements of last years’ teams are what fascinated me the most and also motivate me to put all my efforts into this project in order to live up to their success. I hope to be able to bring in and expand my abilities.
Marcus Geißler
Age: 24
Semester: 8
This is my first year in the iGEM team of the TU Darmstadt. During my bachelor thesis I worked a lot with biotechnology. During the time in the team I want to broaden my skills and help to achieve the goal we set ourselves.
Maximilian Zander
Age: 23
Semester: 4
This is my first year in the iGEM team and I hope to learn something new by working practically. Thus, I can gather practical experience for my scientific future. I am looking forward to deal with special issues together with the whole team.
Michael Hutschenreiter
Age: 26
Studies: Physics M. Sc.
Semester: 10
Servus, I like to spend time on DIY projects like 3D printers and Raspberry Pi and hope to learn something about biology to fulfill my plans to conquer the world. Furthermore, the iGEM team of TU Darmstadt seems to be quite organized and happy. And the participation looks good in the CV.
Michael Sürder
Age: 27
Studies: Technical Biology M. Sc.
Semester: 12
Since 2010 I have worked besides my studies of biology as speech trainer and project attendant at the TU Darmstadt. Last year my brother and I already supported the iGEM team in the part of project management and team formation. We were glad our concept had paid off for the most part and that the project was completed successfully. To do the project attendance and the challenge of the project cause my motivation for this year: especially the huge and interdisciplinary team. All of us have our own concepts, no matter at which project, and we already have learned a lot. I am so excited to see if our new concept based on last year´s experience works and if it will bring our team to success in Boston.
Michelle Zöller
Age: 21
Semester: 4
Even before I became a student at the TU Darmstadt I wanted to be a part of their iGEM team eventually. The opportunity of working on a specially arranged research project with many different people coming from a wide range of faculties is what I was most interested in. So that is the reason why I am taking part for the first time now. I am curious for the experience and knowledge I am going to gain in terms of lab work on the one hand and managing a team consisting of so many different people on the other hand. I am excited for the work that comes along with such a project and to use and expand my abilities.
Mirjam Haun
Studies: Biomolecular Engineering B. Sc.
Even before I started my Bachelor in Biomolecular Engineering at TU Darmstadt I knew that I wanted to join the local iGEM Team. I cannot wait to work in the Lab and turn own ideas into reality independently from protocols of standard internships.I hope to be able to help bring this team to success and gather many worthwhile experiences.
Niklas Hummel
Age: 22
Semester: 6
Servus, my name is Niklas Hummel and I am studying Biomolecular Engineering at the TU Darmstadt in my fifth semester. I already participated on last year´s iGEM team and gathered a lot of positive experiences (not only in the laboratory) as well as networking with a lot of young, motivated students. That’s why I want to be a part of iGEM TU Darmstadt 2015. I am very excited to work on this huge team on own ideas and generate an extraordinary project.
Nils Grießer
Studies: Mechatronics B. Sc.
This year is the first time that I am taking part in iGEM. I am excited to finally work with many different people at our independently worked out project and help this team to live up on to last years’ achievements.
Nina Kuschik-Maczollek
Age: 21
Semester: 6
Basically, I know the iGEM competition from TV. I thought, only high achiever with best grades could join such a team. When I found out that participation criteria are not more than fun and motivation it was clear: You must join them! I am totally curious to learn new practical experiences, which I can gather over time!
Phil Groenewold
Studies: Mechatronics M. Sc.
Age: 27
Semester: 10
Hi, my name is Phil and I am currently studying at the TU Darmstadt. My motivation to participate in the iGEM-Team 2015 is the interdisciplinarity this year. Biologists, mathematicians, mechatronics, computer scientists and chemists are all working on one project which is a really interesting experience. I hope to learn a lot of new things from other students with the same interests.
Sebastian Barthel
Age: 22
Semester: 6
Who took part once, will stick to it. The last year´s project showed me what is really important during studies. And that is not boring lectures, but practical work. Thus for me it was clear to remain with the team, even before we surprisingly achieved such successes in Boston. After my activity as assistant project coordinator last year in which I first had to grow, my slogan for this year is “build on the successes of 2014 and let it roll!” Now, I am excited to take over the more scientific part of the project coordination. And I am hoping for a good team spirit.
Sebastian Holzner
Age: 22
Semester: 8
I wanted to join the iGEM team since getting my study license. Unfortunately, it failed because of varying reasons. The more excited am I to be part of the team 2015. I cannot wait to work in the Lab and turn own ideas into reality independently from protocols of standard internships. Let´s go, Boston is waiting!
Sebastian Jäger
Studies: Chemistry M. Sc.
As soon as I got asked if I wanted to help this year’s iGEM team I wanted to be a part of it. The opportunity to apply the knowledge I gained within my internship at the University and work on an own project with many different people was the main motivation for me to take part in this competition and put all of my effort and abilities into it.
Simon Linder
Age: 24
Semester: 8
My name is Simon Linder and I have been studying Biomolecular Engineering for 8 semesters now. The opportunity of working on an independently developed project far from everyday life at a University with a highly motivated team is what excites me the most about iGEM. Working theoretically as well as practically on scientific issues is a great chance to use one’s skills and gain worthwhile experiences to improve oneself in the end.
Stefan Bohn
Age: 24
Semester: 8
I joined the iGEM team because I like to work on issues concerning synthetic biology. Although the team is quite big, I am looking forward to work with so many fellow students on the same project. Also, I like the multidisciplinary of this year´s iGEM team. This way, I can get insight into other fields of research.
Stefan Zens
Age: 21
Semester: 4
I am part of the team for the first time and I am looking forward to the challenge working on a self-chosen project. I hope to get an instructive relief from every day studies by working on a concrete scientific issue and thereby improving my skills in the Lab. In particular I am excited about the multidisciplinarity of the project. Thus, I can get insight into other topics. I am looking forward to an exciting and hopefully successful project!
Steven Pilger
Age: 22
Semester: 4
I am glad I found a group at university in which I can work autonomously with other students at a project which alters from regular classes. At TU Darmstadt, I like the focus on the teamwork the most! For this year I expect to gather new experiences and findings. On a successful iGEM year 2015!
Tanja Habeck
Studies: Biomolecular Engineering B. Sc.
My motivation is based on interests for biotechnological research. The work together as a team was a great expirience for later work in the laboratory.
Thomas Dohmen
Age: 24
Semester: 8
It was the best choice of my previous studies to participate the iGEM team. An incredible year of iGEM is behind me in which I was able to try and learn a lot. A year ago I would have never believed that at the end I would stand in front of over 2000 scientists presenting our project. For this year we have set our sights high as well! As part of our project I want to make our team more interdisciplinary and establish iGEM as solid constant at the TU Darmstadt. I look forward to an exciting project with an awesome team. And I am happy to see our friends from all over the world in September at the Giant Jamboree!
Thomas Höhl
Studies: Computer Science B. Sc.
This year is the first time that I am taking part in iGEM. I am excited to work with many different people at our independently worked out project. I hope to be able to help bring this team to success.
Tim Böttcher
Age: 22
Studies: Materials Science M. Sc.
Semester: 8
Currently I am in the first year of my Masters degree and for the first time part of the iGEM team TU Darmstadt. I read about the publications of last year´s team and informed myself about the actual project. I got interested and I am excited to participate. I believe, that I will extend my horizon in a huge interdisciplinary team.
Tobias Wittenberg
Age: 28
Studies: Technical Biology M. Sc.
Semester: 8
After some talks to some fellow students it was clear that I want to join the iGEM team. I was informed about the free work of the last year´s project and what success was achieved. Besides spending time working on projects with fellow students, my primary goal is to improve my skills. For my work at iGEM I chose a topic I have never been in contact with. I appreciate Lab work, but I am more interested in learning new things as in this case the construction of the 3D printer.
Instructors
Prof. Dr. Heribert Warzecha
Research: Plant Biotechnology and Metabolic Engineering
Prof. Dr. Heribert Warzecha is a professor for Plant Biotechnology and Metabolic Engineering at the TU Darmstadt. He initiated the iGEM project at our university in 2012 and supported us in all our efforts since then. His research focuses on the production of lipoprotein vaccines in plant chloroplasts and metabolic engineering of plant secondary metabolism with human CYP450 enzymes that have an extraordinary broad substrate acceptance.
Sven Jager
Studies: Ph.D. Biomolecular Engineering
Hello! As you can see I'm doing my PhD. I'm an oldtimer and therefore can't participate as a normal team member like I did before. So this year I work as an advisor for the team. My job is to be the mediator for frictions inside between team members. As I'm residing in the field of computational biology I'm also an advisor for the modelling group of our team.I hope I can help the team with my experience and inspire the younger students for the field of bioinformatics.
Thea Lotz
As a former team member, it was self-evident that I would try and support the next generation of TU Darmstadt's iGEM student team. It's interesting to experience the challenge of an iGEM project from a different view than that of an active student member, but I am looking forward to the chance to learn a whole new set of skills during this year's competition. I also look forward to meeting a lot of different teams from around the world, at the latest at the great Jamboree. See you there!
Advisor
Daniel Sachs
Studies: M. Sc. Biomolecular Engineering
It is now the 4th iGEM that I am taking part in even though I thought 2014 was going to be the last time for me. Since I am working on my Master Thesis at the Keasling Lab in Berkeley I am only participating as an advisor this year. I will still support the team as much as possible with the experiences I have gathered so far!