TUM-UNESP Doctoral Summer/Winter School in São Paulo State and Bavaria

We are pleased to introduce our novel 2024 Summer/Winter School jointly organized by TUM and Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), focused on “Climate-Responsive Sustainable Resource Management.” 

Five fully funded spots were offered to TUM doctoral candidates to participate in both the Summer School at UNESP from 23 to 28 September 2024 and the corresponding Winter School at TUM from 9 to 13 December 2024.

Program highlights: 

Alongside fellow doctoral candidates from UNESP, participants can engage in networking with researchers from both universities and industry stakeholders, gain new perspectives on their research, and take part in excursions across São Paulo and Bavaria. Guided by the two academic leads Professors Eleni Gomes (UNESP) and Michael Zavrel (TUM), this program builds expertise in sustainable resource management strategies that address climate change and align with several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including climate action, life below water, life on land, and responsible consumption and production. Contact person from the TUM Graduate School is science manager Dr. Melanie Frank, who co-led the program's conceptualization and designed the December sessions.

TUM-UNESP Doctoral Summer/Winter School 2024: Fostering Global Collaboration in Climate-Responsive Sustainable Resource Management

In 2024, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and São Paulo State University (UNESP) successfully concluded their inaugural two-part Summer/Winter School. Under the interdisciplinary theme of "Climate-Responsive Sustainable Resource Management," this unique program brought together doctoral candidates from both institutions to collaboratively explore innovative approaches to sustainable resource management and bioeconomy solutions to address climate challenges. The program included a week in São Paulo and a week at TUM, facilitating an exchange of ideas and strategies between doctoral candidates and researchers from both universities. With guidance from professors from both partners, including Prof. Michael Zavrel, Professor for Bioprocess Engineering at TUM Campus Straubing, and Prof. Dulce Helena Siqueira Silva of UNESP’s Institute of Chemistry, as well as Prof. Eleni Gomes of UNESP’s Department of Biological Sciences, participants discussed practical, science-driven approaches for dealing with global environmental issues.

Reflecting on the program’s successes, Prof. Zavrel noted the critical need for international collaboration: “There are huge challenges we must tackle globally, and we need partnerships like this one between Brazil and Germany to do so.” He highlighted the visit to the São Martinho bioethanol production plant, one of the world’s largest, as a moment of powerful insight into the scope and potential of bioeconomy projects and the gaps that research collaboration can bridge.

Prof. Siqueira Silva echoed these sentiments, emphasizing how TUM-UNESP programs strengthen international academic bonds: “This collaboration between TUM and UNESP researchers, which began years ago, is growing stronger with each new initiative. Programs like this one give doctoral candidates not only a look into the academic and research environments at TUM and UNESP but also the chance to contribute to a global network of future researchers.”

Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Exchange

The week in São Paulo featured keynotes on the bioeconomy’s role in advancing sustainable resources, covering topics like biofuel production from fruit waste and clean energy derived from microalgae. The program highlighted ways applied research can yield high-value bioproducts, reduce waste, and support a circular economy. Participants engaged further in poster presentations, sharing their projects and insights across disciplines. TUM doctoral candidate Annalena Daniels, who focuses on mathematical models for vertical farming, found common ground with UNESP’s Abraham James, a researcher in wastewater treatment with microalgae. “We discussed leveraging Annalena’s expertise to further my area of study,” said James. At the same time, Daniels remarked, “I was really looking forward to meeting people working on sustainability, and now we’re exploring how my methods could apply to Abraham’s work.”

The Winter School at TUM expanded on these interdisciplinary exchanges with keynotes on topics such as energy policy, urban water systems, and advanced materials for resource management. Laboratory visits at the Straubing campus offered participants a closer look at the innovative bioprocess technologies being developed at the Professorship of Bioprocess Engineering, underscoring the tangible ways research contributes to sustainable industrial processes based on biogenic raw materials.

In the Field: Industry Insights and Applications

The program’s hands-on aspect was brought to life through visits to key bioeconomy and research facilities. A major highlight of the program in Brazil was the São Martinho Bioethanol Production Plant, where students observed sugarcane processing into bioethanol on an industrial scale. The visit provided insights into large-scale sustainable energy production and showcased the latest agricultural research in biological pest control and plant health, essential elements of the bioeconomy. For Nico Geisler, a bioprocess engineer from TUM, the visit underscored the relevance of industrial-scale bioeconomy solutions. “The São Martinho plant gave me a great impression of what is possible in this field,” he said, adding that it highlighted the importance of scalable solutions in sustainable energy.

At TUM, participants delved further into the practicalities of resource management through site visits to the TUM Venture Lab FAB and the BioCampus Straubing. The TUM Venture Lab showcased its focus on entrepreneurship in food and agricultural biotechnology, while BioCampus Straubing highlighted advancements in the economic promotion of bioprocessing technologies. Together, these experiences offered participants practical insights into how academic research translates into impactful solutions for pressing environmental challenges.

Personal Growth and Cross-Cultural Connections

The Summer/Winter School fostered a collaborative spirit beyond scientific discussion, offering workshops on intercultural competencies and opportunities to reflect on effective collaboration practices. Beatrice von Neuburg, a TUM doctoral candidate in forest management, reflected on how conversations with UNESP doctoral candidate Giovana Guimarães deepened her understanding of Brazilian efforts in ecosystem preservation. Guimarães, in turn, gained new perspectives: “Learning about Beatrice’s project changed my view on forest management, which is crucial as we try to recover our forests here in Brazil.” Social and cultural activities, including group dinners and an excursion to São Paulo’s Atlantic Forest State Park, encouraged participants to connect personally. “Participating in this event was amazing,” said Guimarães, “because we got to know each other’s cultures and life experiences.”

The program also explored how to bridge research and future career paths. During the Winter School, participants engaged in workshops on practical aspects of international research collaboration, including funding opportunities through BAYLAT (Bavarian Academic Center for Latin America), postdoctoral career options, and professional development. These sessions highlighted the importance of equipping young researchers with not only technical expertise but also the skills and resources needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected academic and professional landscape.

Closing Reflections

Supported by the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments and FAPESP, the Summer/Winter School provided a meaningful platform for doctoral candidates to gain hands-on insights into bioeconomy practices and to connect across disciplines. Participants left with a fresh perspective on the scientific and practical challenges of sustainability and exciting insights into the Brazilian and German cultures. Melanie Frank, science manager at the TUM Graduate School, who co-led the program's conceptualization and designed the December sessions, reflected on the Winter School’s impact: “It was rewarding to see the program come to life with workshops that focused on intercultural collaboration, personal growth, and essential skills for career advancement in research and beyond. We aimed to equip the doctoral candidates with knowledge and practical tools for thriving in an increasingly interconnected scientific community.” The collaborative summer/winter school program between TUM and UNESP not only enriches the academic experience for doctoral candidates but also fosters cross-cultural exchanges and innovative research, paving the way for a new generation of global scholars. As participants return to their respective institutions, the networks and knowledge cultivated during this program will undoubtedly drive future research collaborations.