2025
Retreat and Status Seminar
In the first week of October (7–9 October), we travelled to Salem for our retreat, which included a status seminar. There, just a stone's throw from Lake Kummerow, we enjoyed three days of ideal conditions for scientific and social exchange. We got to know the new members of our RTG and gained an insight into their work and ideas. But first things first. After a short journey, on the first day we were able to learn more about the advantages and applications of 2D NMR spectroscopy and theoretical methods such as DFT in two exciting workshops led by Prof. Ralf Ludwig and Dr Olga Bokareva
The second day, our status seminar, was entirely devoted to our work in the RTG. While the new PhD students had the opportunity to introduce themselves and their project ideas, the PhD students from the first cohort presented their initial findings. In addition to suggestions from RTG members, options for possible collaborations were also discussed. After this intensive day, we deepened our ideas in the evening at a barbecue on the grounds of the Ferienland holiday resort and played a table tennis tournament.
On the third day, we took part in an archery workshop. We learned breathing and concentration techniques in a different context. This workshop was a valuable addition to the skills we had already learned in a workshop on presentation techniques, which will help us all in our presentations at conferences. Under the guidance of an experienced trainer, we were able to put our archery skills to the test. The joy of hitting the bullseye perfectly rounded off our three days in Salem. In addition to intensive scientific exchange, there was also plenty of opportunity to forge personal connections.
Unified by Light - Symposium of the RTG SPECTRE (Rostock) and PhINT (Jena)
Our symposium on September 17-18 was a very enriching event for all participants. Our keynote speakers Prof. Dr. Matthias Beller and Prof. Dr. Ralf Ludwig inspired the audience with their presentations. Dr. Chris Rehhagen, postdoc at RTG SPECTRE, presented a toolbox for time-resolved spectroscopic studies of photoinduced dynamics, providing valuable information for the doctoral students. Nine PhD students from both RTGs presented the initial results of their work in short presentations. We concluded Day 1 with guided tours of the Holy Cross Monastery to learn about the work of researchers from a completely different field, history and art history.
We started day 2 with a lab tour of the laboratories at the Institute of Chemistry and the Institute of Physics, as well as LIKAT and the LIKAT technical center. At the Rostock site, we are fortunate that the institutes are located in close proximity to each other, which greatly facilitates cooperation between the individual departments. In the afternoon, we were welcomed at the Marine Science Center, where we not only got to see the seals, but also learned about research topics in fascinating presentations given by Prof. Frederike Hanke and Dr. Tamara Heinrich. It was a very enriching two days for all participants, during which new contacts were made and ideas exchanged.
2024
Excursion to Jena
First Day at Jena
To foster the development of our young RTG and as part of our networking activities, ten PhD students, along with our two principal investigators, Dr. Jola Pospech and Dr. Olga Bokareva, and Mrs. Ivonne Vanhoefen, traveled to Jena for a four-day academic tour. In addition to engaging in networking activities with another young RTG, PhInt – Photopolarizable Interfaces and Membranes , we visited several labs at Leibniz IPHT, toured a few companies and start-ups, and, of course, enjoyed the Christmas Market in Jena, since it was December!
Our first full day began with a Joint Scientific Seminar (see schedule PDF) at Leibniz IPHT, where we had the opportunity to present our RTG SPECTRE, for the first time outside of Rostock. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that preparing and delivering this group presentation was one of the most enjoyable experiences we’ve had together, where we splitted in three groups to give a short overview on the general, preparative and spectroscopic part of our project. The seminar featured engaging scientific talks from both researchers and PhD students from Jena, providing a great opportunity for knowledge exchange.
We also had the privilege of visiting various research labs across the Leibniz IPHT and Fraunhofer IOF institutes, where we were able to experience firsthand some of the exciting ongoing research. One of the highlights was the visit to the optical fiber drawing facility at IPHT, where we were captivated by the process of drawing optical fibers. During lunch, we scattered across several tables to network with other PhD researchers, fostering valuable connections.
Our first day concluded with a delightful joint dinner at FritzMitte, where SPECTRE and PhInt PhD students and PIs had the chance to continue our discussions. We are truly grateful to Prof. Dietzek and his team for their exceptional hospitality and for organizing all the events so wonderfully.
Koushik Mondal
Second Day at Jena: Visit to Carl Zeiss AG and Optonet
On December 4, 2024, we had the opportunity to visit Carl Zeiss AG, a leading manufacturer of optical systems and optoelectronics. During our visit, we explored their innovative optical spectroscopy tools, which are crucial for promoting sustainability. Some of the products we examined included optimized CMOS and NMOS detector-based spectrometers, a grism spectrometer, and a battery-operated spectrometer specifically designed for agricultural applications. This tool utilizes NIR sensor technology to analyze crops and animal feeds, thereby enhancing agricultural efficiency. We also learned about their ongoing projects through a series of presentations. Later in the evening, we engaged with Optonet, which showcased advancements in IC chip design, fiber optic lasers, enhanced microcontroller systems, and communication network infrastructures, all with a strong emphasis on sustainability. We would like to express our immense gratitude to Natalja Bajkovski from optonet e.V. for organizing such an exciting and informative event. We are eager to absorb the knowledge gained and explore possibilities for collaboration with the companies mentioned. We believe they would be ideal partners for our objectives, and we are confident that we could also contribute to their endeavors. Furthermore, the location of our visit, Jena, struck us as one of the most welcoming cities. Its tranquility and the breathtaking beauty of the mountain roads are truly captivating, making it a feast for the eyes. We look forward to visiting Jena again.
Ramisah Rabiya
I really liked our visit at Zeiss, because it was very interesting to see what they are doing, for example the portable IR-Devices and their application in the agricultural industry. What impressed me the most was the Fibre-Tower in the Leibniz-IPHT, because it was stunning to see, how a solid glass tube turned into a flexible fibre.
Joshua Sorst
I truly enjoyed the excursion to Jena; it was a fantastic start to our RTG program, allowing all the students to connect and get to know each other better. What impressed me most was the visit to the Leibniz Institute for Photonic Technologies. Exploring the chemistry laboratories and observing the process of creating glass fiber devices was fascinating, it was the highlight of the trip for me. The second day at Zeiss was equally inspiring, as we learned how physics and chemistry are applied in the industry, providing valuable insights into real world applications.
Zahra Tayebi
The trip to Jena was a great experience, allowing us to bond as a group. We had the opportunity to meet with the RTG there, learn about their work, and explore several companies, which gave us valuable insights into the new opportunities that lie ahead.
Neeraja Kaimal
Though everyone in our cohort knows each other, it was the shared dinners during this trip that brought cohesion and forged our connection, hence I believe it was crucial part than the technical side itself. We bridged our diverse ideals, nourishing chemistry amongst us, which helps us to express and exchange our ideas and thoughts without reticence, or fear of ridicule, and this result will no doubt propel us in our collaborative development of the project's chemistry as well.
Shashank Ramana
Kick Off Meeting
RTG 2943 was officially launched on 11 October 2024 with a kick-off meeting. We were delighted that Prof. Dr. Nicole Wrage-Mönnig found the time to welcome the graduates. The exciting lectures by Prof. Dr. Henrike Müller-Werkmeister from the University of Potsdam and Dr. Sebastién Bontemps from the University of Toulouse were not only of great interest to the graduates, but also attracted a broad audience from all areas of mathematics and natural sciences. All PhD students were able to present themselves, their experiences and their doctoral projects to the audience and make further valuable contacts.
Summer School 2024
From August 26th to August 30th 2024 the summer school has taken place in Rostock with an exciting and varied program. Excellent scientists speak on interesting topics in catalysis and spectroscopy.
The aim of the Baltic Sea Catalysis Teaching Network, consisting of the Universities of Kiel, Greifswald, Rostock and Hamburg, the Hamburg University of Technology, the LIKAT Rostock and the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), is to provide young scientists with comprehensive training in the fundamentals and overarching principles of modern catalysis science. Block courses take place in a three-year rolling system. In 2024, Rostock hosted the block course C: Analytics and Spectroscopy in Catalysis.
