Adila Apsara, Molecular Biotechnology (Bachelor of Science)

Why do you participate in iGEM?

I want to try something new, encounter new experiences, challenge myself to think outside the box, and build networks. And I think iGEM could give me all of them.

If you were a microorganism, which one would you be?

Dunaliella salina

What are your hobbies?

Dance salsa, swimming, play RPG games, read books

Nefeli Chanoutsi, Biology (Bachelor of Science)

Why do you participate in iGEM?

I would describe myself as a person who is curious and open to new things, one who likes challenges and loves it when they can ultimately be overcome. With regard to the iGEM competition, I am fascinated by the variety of challenges it poses from start to finish. It offers the opportunity to plan your own project independently and to successfully achieve the common aim as a team. These are experiences that cannot be acquired in a regular study program. Such an opportunity should not be missed.

If you were a microorganism, which one would you be?

Dinoflagellates, of course! How cool is it to be able to shine brightly on your own.

What is your life philosophy?

"Who fights, can lose. Who doesn't fight, has already lost." - Bertolt Brecht

Isabel Conze, Biology (Bachelor of Science)

Why do you participate in iGEM?

When I first heard of “iGEM“ I knew that I wanted to participate one day. Setting up a project on our own, being responsible for it‘s success and being able to use genetic engineering, which is despised by many, to do something good... I couldn‘t say “no“ to that!

If you were a microorganism, which one would you be?

Deinococcus radiodurans / Conan the bacterium

What do you do after an exhausting lab day?

Sports (mostly dancing & bouldering), eat and sleep!

Niklas Fante, Molecular Biotechnology (Master of Science)

Why do you participate in iGEM?

I am tempted to work on an interdisciplinary, forward-looking and application-oriented projects.

If you were a microorganism, which one would you be? 

Moritella yayanosii

What do you do after an exhausting lab day?

Another one.

Johanna Opgenoorth, Biochemistry (Master of Science)

Why do you participate in iGEM?

I think iGEM is a great opportunity to work independetly with a group of like-minded people on a self-chosen project.

If you were a microorganism, which one would you be?

I believe I would be E. coli, not the boring kind of average but down-to-earth and versatile.

What do you do after an exhausting lab day?

To calm down after an exhausting lab day I love to go on a long walk.

Ina Schmitt, Molecular Biotechnology (Master of Science)

Why do you participate in iGEM?

I really like the opportunity to carry out a project of our own with everything that comes with it. I´m looking forward to learn many new things and to socialize with interesting people.

If you were a microorganism, which one would you be? 

Corynebacterium glutamicum

What are your hobbies?

sports, board games, Pen & Paper games

Alexander Schulze, Molecular Biotechnology (Bachelor of Science)

Why do you participate in iGEM?

I participate in iGEM because I enjoy working on my own projects and realising my own ideas. The iGEM-Competition offers opportunities to do this that would be unimaginable during a normal course of studies. Also the possibility of getting to know the global science community and even taking part in the expansion of their scientific knowledge is a special treat for me.

If you were a microorganism, which one would you be? 

Euglena gracilis

What are you studying and why?

I am studying Molecular Biotechnology, because this interdisciplinary course of study provides insight in a brought range of scientific subjects and is very future-oriented. Besides that, there is still a lot of exiting research that has to be done in this field.

Astrid Többer, Molecular Biotechnology (Master of Science)

Why do you participate in iGEM?

Former iGEM-members told me what iGEM is. That sounded like a lot of fun and that´s why I joined the team. And it´s really a good experience to create a whole project on our own.

If you were a microorganism, which one would you be?

Saccharomyces cerevisiae – brewer´s yeast or baker´s yeast. With this organism you can simply produce the best things

What do you do after an exhausting day in the lab?

I´m going home, cook a real good dinner and enjoy it, while I watch a nice movie. And afterwards chocolate.

Katharina Wolff, Molecular Biotechnology (Bachelor of Science)

Why do you participate in iGEM?

iGEM is the reason I started studying molecular biotechnology in the first place. I joined a project at University Bielefeld when I was still in highschool and it was my first contact with the topic of synthetic biology and iGem . And what can I say, I have been fascinated ever since.

If you were a microorganism, which one would you be? 

Mycoplasma laboratorium, because sometimes life can be simple.

What are you doing after iGEM?

I am currently in my final bachelor semester, so once the iGEM competition is completed, I will continue my studies and start my master degree.