Could you describe your research topic to someone from another discipline in one sentence?
My research asks whether changes in the plants around us could also change our risk of disease: I investigate how invasive plants alter mosquito habitats and their contact with people and animals, with the aim of finding new, environmentally sustainable ways to reduce diseases such as malaria and dengue and anticipate future health risks in East Africa.
Why did you decide to do your doctorate in Bonn?
For me, Bonn offered not only an excellent place to pursue a doctorate, but also an international research community in which I could broaden my scientific perspective and build lasting collaborations.
Where is your favorite place to work on your dissertation? Where are you most effective?
My favourite place to work is my office at ZEF, but I have learned that good ideas do not always arrive while sitting at a desk. I am most productive when I can move between quiet moments of writing and spontaneous conversations with colleagues. Sometimes a question discussed over coffee sends me back to my dissertation seeing the problem in an entirely new way and that is one of the things I enjoy most about working at ZEF.
What do you especially like about the University of Bonn?
A PhD at the University of Bonn can open doors far beyond your own research. You become part of a vibrant international community, surrounded by excellent research and ideas that cross disciplinary boundaries. My experience has allowed me to connect environmental science with public health, build research links across Africa and Europe, and exchange ideas with researchers from different disciplines and cultures. A doctorate here feels like more than an academic milestone it can be the beginning of something bigger.
What advice would you give new doctoral researchers at the University of Bonn?
Be curious and make the most of what the University of Bonn offers. Step beyond your research group. Join workshops, attend events, and meet people from different disciplines and cultures. Build your network early. Sometimes, one conversation can lead to an opportunity you never expected. At the same time, follow your own path. Every PhD journey is different, so do not measure your progress against someone else’s. Ask for help when you need it. Stay open to change. Take opportunities, even when they are outside your comfort zone. Most importantly, remember why you started. A PhD is not only about producing good research. It is also about the researcher you become along the way.
Which support service offered by the University of Bonn have you benefited from the most?
Throughout my doctorate, I have benefited from a strong and diverse support system at the University of Bonn. The Bonn Graduate Center has been one of the most valuable sources of support during my doctorate. Through Doctorate plus, workshops, career development and coaching, I have gained skills that go beyond my research. I have also benefited from the wider support network at the University of Bonn, including the International Office, ZEF and the Collaborative Research Centre “Future Rural Africa”. Most importantly, I have been fortunate to have a very supportive supervisor, whose guidance and encouragement have made a real difference throughout my PhD. Together, these forms of support have helped me grow as a more independent, confident and connected researcher, and prepare for the next stage of my career.
Yohanes Risky Shellen Ginting, doctoral student featured in our July issue, asked: How do you deal with cultural differences and norms that are sometimes uncommon in your own country?
I approach cultural differences with curiosity and respect. I have learned that what we think we know about another culture can change completely when we meet people and share everyday experiences with them.
During my PhD, I have worked, travelled and sometimes lived with colleagues from many cultural backgrounds. I learned through conversations, shared meals, traditions, humour and different ways of thinking. A ZEF workshop on Intercultural Competence also helped me reflect on my own assumptions and communication.
I try to listen before I judge and understand before I react. I enjoy learning from other cultures and sharing my own in return. For me, this exchange is one of the most rewarding parts of an international PhD. You do not only discover new cultures; you also learn to see your own culture from a different perspective.
Thank you for the interview. We wish you all the best and every success for the future!