Like every year, the HEF invited doctoral candidates from various institutions to this year’s HEFagrar PhD Symposium. Through insights from TUM, HSWT, LfL, and the Helmholtz Center, participants were able to learn about a variety of research projects. With the PhD Symposium, the HEF aims to provide doctoral candidates with an opportunity for exchange, as well as a space to gain new inspiration and network.

From molecular processes and animals to global contexts and impacts, all levels of research were represented. With many questions and discussions, this year’s presentations, posters, and pitches fostered a particularly lively exchange among the doctoral candidates.

Awards

The audience vote selected the best entry in each category. Congratulations to:

• Best Poster: Nadia Ehteshamzad: “The role of antibodies in clearance of Salmonella in genetically modified chicken”
  TUM Professorship of Reproductive Biotechnology, Supervisor: Prof. Schusser
• Best Elevator Pitch: Saniv Gupta: "Crying roots: Drought restructures maize root-rhizosphere interactions: trade-offs between root expansion and root-soil contact"
  TUM Professorship of Soil Biophysics and Environmental Systems, Supervisor: Prof. Zare
• Best Poster: Stella Nevermann: “Water table dynamics regulate greenhouse gas fluxes across wetland-cropland transition landscapes”
  TUM Professorship of Soil Biophysics and Environmental Systems, Supervisor: Prof. Zare

In addition, the H. Wilhelm Schaumann Foundation Award was presented by Prof. Julia Steinhoff-Wagner and Prof. Senthold Asseng. Leonie Aschenbrenner was honored for her master’s thesis titled “Assessment of Mycotoxin Levels in Feed, Bedding, and Ambient Dust in the Environment of Lactating Sows.”

What comes next after the doctorate?

However, the symposium is not only about the present but also the future—many doctoral students do not know what they want to do after graduation. That is why we invite graduates every year to present their career paths.

Thomas Alcock, a researcher at the Chair of Crop Physiology, spoke about his academic career. After completing his studies in the UK, he came to TUM in Freising and is now the head of a DFG Emmy Noether Research Group here. Dominik Christophel spoke about his work as a freelancer after completing his master’s degree and doctorate at TUM.