Hannah, what exactly are you doing at Leibniz-HKI and what are you researching for your doctoral thesis?

Primarily, my research focus is the symbiosis between beneficial fungi and endosymbiotic bacteria. We identified bacteria residing inside some soil beneficial fungi, and revealed that natural products play an important role in this symbiosis. In general, the bacteria benefit by inhabiting a safe habitat inside the fungus, where they are protected and receive nutrients that they can no longer produce themselves. The fungus, in turn, benefits from protection against predators through bioactive molecules produced by the bacteria. In the future, this kind of symbiosis could also be developed as a biocontrol approach. Understanding these fungal-bacterial symbioses and elucidating natural products involved in these interactions was basically the main project of my doctoral thesis. But I also had a few side projects to explore other approaches.

You studied biochemistry. Why did you choose that?

For a long time, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to study as I was equally interested in chemistry, biology, and pharmacy. I also considered medicine, but it was always clear that I wanted to pursue something within the life sciences. In the end, I chose biochemistry because I liked the combination of different subjects – you learn something from each area and end up with a broad overview of many different fields. I also liked Jena. I visited the city beforehand and found the atmosphere refreshing and vibrant, especially for students.

What fascinates you about biochemistry in general?

I’m impressed by how finely tuned the processes within an organism are. In natural product chemistry, I am fascinated by how simple building blocks can be formed into complex molecules that then intervene in biological processes, for example toxins or hormone-like substances. It is fascinating to understand how something like this works at the molecular level. During my doctoral studies, I particularly enjoyed structural elucidation and analytical challenges. It often felt like solving a complex riddle – step by step you find out how something is constructed.

So, you always wanted to go into the natural sciences. Where does your interest in nature come from?

It’s probably in my genes to some extent. My mother was a science teacher while my father studied geology and mineralogy. That meant our vacations were often quite unique: we’d drive somewhere, stop every 50 meters, get out, tap on every rock, identify every plant and every bug, get back in the car and drive on – and then do the same thing again 100 meters later. (laughs) That’s how I grew up, always exploring nature to some extent. It sparked my curiosity to understand why the world is the way it is, why certain processes happen. Science isn’t subjective. It describes and explains – objectively – based on data and evidence. I like that – science is fact-based and not just someone’s opinion.

Incidentally, I still find minerals interesting. I remember a vacation in Namibia with my family: we visited every mine we came across, tapped on rocks and collected them. Namibia has some very beautiful minerals, and when I flew home, my entire backpack – 7 kg – was full of collected stones. Some mines were closed, but at others we simply asked if we could go in. We were a bit adventurous.

Besides stones, is there a plant that particularly captivates you?

Yes, Welwitschia mirabilis – a desert plant from the Namib that only grows there. We saw it in Namibia, when we were in a part of the Namib that was really a stone desert. There was nothing but stones, and then suddenly we found these plants! They can live in the desert for several hundred years, sometimes over 1,000! Welwitschias only have two leaves that keep growing forever. By the way, there are two specimens in the Botanical Garden in Jena, and I always wanted to sponsor one – but they’ve already been adopted. (laughs)

You weren’t just in England, you also spent time in Ghana. What motivated you to go there, and what did you do in Ghana?

After graduating from high school, I spent some time in Ghana. I worked at a primary school and helped out in a small hospital. The people were incredibly friendly! I was constantly being invited to join events, meals, or gatherings. My host family was Christian, so I joined them when they went to church. The services were an amazing experience: people sang and danced freely and without inhibition. It was really intriguing! Some parts of the service were in English, some in one of the many local languages. I didn’t always understand everything, but the atmosphere was unique every time. The openness in everyday life was also impressive: once I took a shared taxi, which are always packed. I liked to talk to the fellow passengers and when I told them that I was going to church with my host family, someone just paid for my ride, even though I didn’t want them to. (laughs)

Let’s go back to Germany. After your stay in Ghana, you studied in Jena and then did your PhD at the Leibniz-HKI. Were there any particular challenges during your PhD?

Yes, there were definitely challenges, especially at the beginning. I initially started with a different topic, working on anaerobic bacteria, which I still find exciting. But after nearly a year with very little progress I made the difficult decision to change projects. It wasn’t an easy decision, especially after having already invested so much time and effort. But from then on, things went much more smoothly, and looking back, it was absolutely worth it.

Do you already have plans for what you want to do after your PhD?

I would like to continue working in research, possibly in industry, and start in a field that combines research and development. It’s important to me that I can use my scientific experience and gain new perspectives at the same time. In the long term, I could also imagine taking on a management position. In general, I would like to see more women in important positions, both in academia and in industry, and for true equality to become the norm.

We can only endorse that. Regardless of your next career steps, there is something else that has been with you for many years: music. What does it mean to you?

A great deal. I started playing the violin before elementary school but eventually switched to the viola because, to me, it has a much fuller and warmer sound. (smiles) I’ve been playing in the Carl Zeiss Symphony Orchestra in Jena since my second year of university, and now I additionally serve as the chairwoman. The orchestra is a great balance to my research, and I’ve also learned a lot about organisation and teamwork there. We mainly play classical music including medleys from operas and sometimes film music. Privately, I listen to a very mixed selection, from Bob Dylan and Paul Simon to electronic music. I’m also a big festival fan. I always have the latest wristbands on my arm. But when they get too old and dirty, they have to go. (laughs)

Sounds great! So, you like to be creative yourself?

Yes, I am also passionate about art and enjoy painting myself. I used to work a lot with acrylics, but now I do more watercolours. Mostly representational motifs, often from nature. When I look at art, I am fascinated when it’s very detailed. That’s also challenging, but that’s exactly what I like about it. In my apartment, I have a few nature-related pictures, for example of Mycetozoa fungi by Ernst Haeckel. I like it when art and nature come together like that, it’s just beautiful.

Finally, do you have a message for young students who want to go into research?

Remain true to yourselves. Do what inspires you. And don’t let anyone define your limits, neither better nor worse. Do what you enjoy, because that’s what will keep you going and where your true strength lies.