Habilitation award winners 2018: PD Dr. rer. nat. Dr. habil. med. Claudia Günther

Chair of Internal Medicine I at Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Kußmaul Campus for Medical Research

What was the subject of your habilitation thesis?

In my habilitation thesis, I investigated the regulation of programmed cell death and its role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases. During my research, I examined above all the role and molecular regulation of regulated necrosis.

What excites you the most about your research?

Not knowing each day how an experiment will turn out and what the possible causes are. As long as you have this inner drive, research is the right place for you and you can find your calling in it. As a young researcher who puts so much energy into one single vision, it’s great to see how this vision can grow and how you can get other researchers interested in it.

Which difficulties did you encounter during your habilitation and how did you overcome them?

I think every researcher has to deal with failure during their work and not give up.

To which extent has your research changed you and your view of the world?

My research has shown me that not everything is always black and white, you always have to be open to new ideas, and nothing is impossible. You should always keep your eyes open and not lapse into old habits and ways of thinking. It’s important to look more closely at the unexpected.

What’s next – for you and your field of research?

There are many exciting discoveries on the horizon just waiting for us. I want to pass these discoveries on to young researchers in the future and inspire them to take up research.

Thank you very much for the interview, Dr. Günther!