Interview with BTU alumna Isabel Hanold (Biotechnology)

Hello Ms Hanold, you studied at the BTU. How did you come to choose that study programme, and what was your experience like there?
Even during my school days, I had a keen interest in the natural sciences, particularly biology. That is why I first attended the Connecticum recruitment fair in Berlin to find out about potential career opportunities in biology after graduation. There, I was recommended the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in Biotechnology due to the combination of biology, chemistry, Physics and Mathematics, as well as the wide range of career opportunities across various industries. As the university offered affordable accommodation in student halls of residence near where my family lives, the Biotechnology study programme had no entry requirements and did not require any mandatory prerequisites such as internships, and I also had recommendations from relatives, I enrolled for the Bachelor’s degree in 2018. Immediately after completing my Bachelor’s degree in 2023, I went on to complete the Master’s in Biotechnology, also at BTU. My time at BTU was wonderful; I associate it above all with many positive memories and experiences. I particularly enjoyed the close contact with the lecturers and the friendly atmosphere on the Campus Senftenberg, as well as Senftenberg Lake. The interaction with other students, the student council, and the numerous laboratory practicals were also well-structured and challenging, so that one could truly learn interesting new knowledge every day and apply it in practice. The lecturers were always willing to listen. It was also possible to work part-time as a student (research) assistant and gain experience whilst still studying for my Bachelor’s degree. 

What do you do for a living now?
Since December 2024, I have been working as a doctoral candidate at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) in Leipzig. In the Department of Cell and Gene Therapy Development within the Clinical Gene Transfer Unit, I work under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Dr. Ulrike Köhl (Institute Director) and Prof. Dr. Zoltán Ivics. At the start of my doctoral studies, I also spent a month as a visiting researcher at the Paul Ehrlich Institute, where, under the supervision of Dr Lacramioara Botezatu, I gained valuable insights into regulatory and safety-related aspects of animal testing. In parallel, I am enrolled as a doctoral candidate at the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg as part of an individual doctoral programme. My doctoral studies are supervised by Prof. Dr Dirk Roggenbuck. Other members of my doctoral committee include Prof. Ute Modlich (University of Zurich, Switzerland) and Prof. Eugenio Montini (I.R.C.C.S. Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy). My doctoral thesis focuses on the development of next-generation Sleeping Beauty transposon vectors with the aim of improving transcriptional safety for therapeutic cell applications. Specifically, I am working on the further development of non-viral gene transfer systems for safe and efficient therapeutic cell engineering.

How did you come to get the job? I
became aware of the PhD position at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology through an official job advertisement and submitted my application in the standard way. During my Master’s thesis at Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH in Frankfurt am Main, I also received professional support from my external supervisor, who encouraged me to take the next step towards doctoral studies. Thanks to this supervisor, as well as the professional exchange and contacts with the Paul Ehrlich Institute, I was able to develop my profile in a targeted manner. This combination of professional qualifications, practical experience and valuable recommendations ultimately enabled me to take up the position immediately after completing my Master’s degree.

What do you miss most about your period of study at BTU?
What I miss most is the intensive, daily interaction with fellow students. During my studies, we were constantly engaging in dialogue – whether in lectures, study groups or laboratory practicals. This close-knit camaraderie and the collaborative exploration of subject matter were something truly special. I will also have very fond memories of the numerous joint events and student activities. The Campus Senftenberg and the nearby lake further enriched my periods of study and created a very pleasant atmosphere. I really miss the traditional lectures, where theoretical knowledge was taught in an intensive and structured way. This phase of concentrated learning and in-depth study was formative and valuable.