SFB graduate student hosts student from Yale University

Yale University student Luming Chen wanted to experience research at a German university – and SFB 914 graduate student Doris Kaufmann took her on for a 7-week internship. She visited the Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology at the Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine (LMU) through the RISE program (Research Internship in Science and Engineering), available to doctoral students in a Sonderforschungsbereich (SFB).

Her internship greatly benefitted both the visitor and the host: Luming Chen gained an insight into the life of a PhD student at a German university and the host Doris Kaufmann had help for her lab work and gained experience mentoring a student.

Competitive application process

Through cooperation between the DAAD and the DFG, the RISE program is available to PhD students working in an SFB. The competitive application process ensured a good fit between Luming’s previous lab experience as bachelor student and what she could learn working for a limited time with Doris on her PhD project on leukocyte trafficking.

Once in Munich Luming quickly became familiar with the experimental techniques through learning-by-doing and was able to produce results for the lab project. The practical work was accompanied by Luming discussing her results within the group and learning about the field of leukocyte trafficking. She also took part in the seminar and course program of the Integrated Research Training Group (IRTG) within the SFB 914.

Aside from the scientific experience, Luming also enjoyed experiencing Munich and the surroundings, although her dedication to long hours in the lab certainly did not leave much time for that.

Graduate students in an SFB can host RISE students

Graduate students in an SFB can register online with the DAAD during October and November each year and offer their research project to prospective interns from Canadian and US-universities. Based on incoming applications from those North American students the hosting graduate students rank “their” applicants for suitability to their own research project. This method ensures a good match between expectations of both visitors and hosts. The visiting students receive a stipend and administrative support from the DAAD.