Celebrating a Milestone: Our 10,000th doctoral candidate at TUM!

Tabea Kaiser, you started your doctorate recently - why did you choose TUM for your doctorate?

Firstly, I chose Munich for my doctorate because it's a fantastic city for both research and living. Then, I found Carina's lab, which was a perfect match for me. I studied molecular medicine, completing both my bachelor's and master's degrees in Tübingen. After this I wanted a change – a bigger city closer to the mountains. Carina's lab intrigued me with its research foci, making it a great fit for my doctorate.

What is essential for you at the beginning of your doctorate?

I would say communication is crucial at the beginning. This also includes good supervision, as well as having mentors who can show you different methods and guide you through planning and executing a project. It's also essential to be free to make mistakes and learn from them. I started working here last year, so I'm past the initial phase but still learning a lot.

Prof. Carina Mann, from your perspective - what should doctoral candidates focus on in the first few months?

I think it is crucial that their doctoral project really motivates them. And for me, it's important that they see the bigger picture of their project. Why are they doing this research? What do they want to achieve with it? This can be difficult at the beginning, as there are many small steps, which can be overwhelming. So, it is essential that you don't lose focus on this end goal.

What topic are you researching, and what was your motivation to start a doctorate / pursue a scientific career in this research field?

Tabea Kaiser: My doctorate consists of several projects, mainly focusing on innate immunity. With my background in molecular medicine, I was interested in how the body counteracts or reacts to pathogens. During my master's thesis, I was in contact with people who did structural biology, and it was something I really wanted to learn. In Carina's lab, I found an opportunity to combine structural biology with innate immunity. For example, one of my projects involves mRNA vaccines, allowing me to explore both areas of interest.

Carina Mann: My research focuses on how the body detects pathogens, so bacteria or viruses, and specifically how it differentiates between its own nucleic acids and those from viruses. There are very specific receptors from our innate immune system that are in our body's first line of defense and can detect pathogens. We use structural biology methods like cryo-electron microscopy to understand these mechanisms and study how proteins in this process function and signal within the body.

When I started studying biochemistry here at TUM, I didn't know where I was heading career-wise. During my studies and later in my doctorate and postdoc, I enjoyed being in the lab and performing the experiments myself. And you always get this little adrenaline kick when you find the result in the lab, and you know, you are the first and only person right now to know about it. This is something that drives many researchers. Once one of your experiments works, it's worth all the effort.

Tabea Kaiser, how did you choose your supervisor? What factors were essential to you? 

I'm very happy with my choice, and I'm not just saying this because Carina is sitting next to me. I talked to friends already doing a doctorate, so I knew what to look for in a supervisor and what questions to ask in the job interview. I liked that Carina's group is young and that she understands the challenges we face in the lab. Her recent lab experience means she knows that not everything works perfectly on the first try and has realistic expectations. It was important for me to be honest in my application and interview and express my concerns about the challenges of a doctorate, which I think was appreciated.

Carina Mann, what do you look for in applications for doctoral positions? What skills should prospective doctoral candidates bring?

Motivation is the key factor. I look for candidates who are genuinely interested in our research topics and techniques. Previous experience in specific areas is less important because those skills can be learned during the doctorate. It's more about finding a match between the candidate's expectations and what our lab offers.

How do you organize the collaboration with your doctoral candidates?

We have weekly group meetings to discuss different research projects. Additionally, I have a schedule where I have a biweekly meeting with my doctoral candidates. So every two weeks, we have a set time that I keep free even though my calendar is full. But I allocate this time so that everybody has a one-hour time slot with me every two weeks. That is blocked. And we get to talk about the project.  I also follow an open-door policy. Last year, I had a son, so I was working more from home and remotely, but we maintained regular meetings via Zoom.

Tabea Kaiser, what do you value most about your chair?

We have a lot of opportunities and support here, both in terms of resources and freedom to explore our projects. The financial support for lab work, which can be expensive, is also significant. It's a supportive environment that allows us to try new things.

What are you most looking forward to during the time of your doctorate?

I'm excited to learn how to work on long-term projects, develop new techniques, and possibly discover something significant in innate immunity. I also look forward to personal growth and working together with great colleagues. While it's too early to detail my timeline, I expect my doctorate to take 4 to 5 years, and I'm fine with that as long as I continue to enjoy the work.

Women are still underrepresented in many STEM subjects, especially when it comes to postdoctoral positions or professorships. How do you encourage women in STEM subjects to pursue a career in academia?

Carina Mann: I hire the best candidates regardless of gender, and it happens that we have many women in our group. Seeing women in higher positions can serve as role models, making these positions more approachable for other women. I started my group at the Institute of Virology with Prof. Ulrike Protzer as director. I see myself as a role model incentivizing women to go in this direction. Also, now I experience having a family while working in science. Combining family with an academic career is challenging, I won't lie. But it is possible. And I want to show how it is possible for the next generations.

Tabea Kaiser: It's encouraging to be in a group where women hold many higher positions. It shows that achieving these roles is possible, which is motivating.

Carina Mann, as you spent your postdoc at the Harvard Medical School/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, what tips can you give doctoral candidates to help them build their global network early on?

Attending international conferences and actively engaging with other researchers is crucial. Present your work, don't be afraid to talk to PIs and other attendees, and maintain those connections. Also, all the collaborators and colleagues you meet during your doctorate will eventually move on and find new positions globally. So, building relationships with colleagues from neighboring labs can also be valuable for future opportunities.

When you look back on your scientific career, what do you wish someone had told you at the beginning of your doctorate?

One is not aware of how challenging it is. It's a marathon, not a sprint. There will be good weeks and long periods without visible results when you don't have a feeling of success. Having someone to tell you, 'You can do this project' as some kind of cheerleader will encourage you and help you get through these times.