After four years here, I really feel at home in Bremerhaven. My work is mainly related to international projects, which is a great opportunity for getting to know other cultures and exchanging ideas with experts all around the world. I work on topics in the areas of renewable energies and sustainability – very important issues for our future.

I find it very fulfilling that my work sets in motion concrete solutions for more efficiency and conservation of resources. Since the staff at ttz are regularly involved in team activities, we have the feeling, not just during our annual dragon boat race, of being in the same boat and having the same goals. Language skills are essential in international circles. That's why all staff have the opportunity to attend free language courses.

I was able to get to know the Molecular Genetics Division at ttz during my university course in bioanalytics. I also had the possibility to complete my Master thesis on the basis of an EU research project. This was welcomed by the University too - my thesis was awarded the 2007 prize as the best one. I was able to continue using the approach, which targets more transparency in the supply chain of fresh products, in this project when I started working at ttz immediately after my degree.

Since ttz and the University work closely together, research and teaching continue to be combined: In my own lecture at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences, I now myself pass on application-related knowledge and state-of-the-art methods to students. Since we apply molecular genetics technologies in the widest conceivable range of applications, we ourselves are always discovering new fields and making new contacts. Supervision of interns and students is an important part of my work, since only in a team can the goals we have set ourselves be achieved.

I really enjoy maximizing what is technically feasible for clients from industry. Optimizing processes is pioneer work where I can contribute my technical knowledge, but which also demands considerable creativity. An open-minded atmosphere offers space for lateral thinking which creates important stimuli for often unusual solutions.

If you use your brain all day, sport is an important balance. I am part of the ttz football team which is made up of employees from all ttz departments. Getting to know each other in a relaxed atmosphere encourages successful teamwork off the pitch as well.