Members of the btS Erlangen
Our local board
Paul Wagner
Local board member (chairman)
Hey everyone, I'm Paul!
I'm 26 years old and have been a PhD student in neurobiology since early 2025, working on sodium channels and epilepsy. I've been active in btS since 2023 and have gradually worked my way up — from local tasks, to a board position, to working in nationwide working groups and on the ScieCon career fair.
Every step of the way has been fun thanks to the wonderful people in btS! I can get creative here and implement new ideas, but I also get to learn exciting soft skills or listen to — and help organize — talks on a wide range of topics.
Being involved in btS makes it much easier for me to get a sense of career paths and potentially interesting professional fields — not least through exchanges with our alumni, who cover an incredibly valuable nationwide network across all kinds of fields. So btS is a kind of "playground" where you can get to know your own strengths and interests, and come out of it with much clearer ideas about yourself and what you want from your working life.
If you'd like to learn more about the organization and get a taste of this playground yourself, come to one of our meetings!
Yours,
Paul
Tsimafei Tolkach
Local board member (finances)
Hi everyone,
I’m Timo, and I’m glad you’ve discovered our page! I’m currently pursuing my Bachelor’s in Life Science Engineering at FAU. What excites me about this program is that it combines technical skills with scientific knowledge, allowing you to master both fields. However, students in such an interdisciplinary course can sometimes find it challenging to break into the job market. That’s why I find the btS association a unique chance to build professional connections and navigate the world of work.
As a member of the btS team, I see it as my role to bridge the gap between students and industry. By co-organizing events, workshops, and networking meet-ups, I help create opportunities for sharing knowledge, ideas, and career prospects—something that truly motivates me in my studies. My involvement is not only personally rewarding but also a way to share my passion for Life Sciences and Biotechnology with others.
Members
Lina Günter
Hi there, my name is Lina :)
I studied biochemistry in Heidelberg before moving to Würzburg for my doctorate. There I am currently doing research on respiratory syncytial virus at the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research.
I was already active in the student council for a long time during my time in Heidelberg. I really enjoyed developing my own ideas on how we can support students in different areas and then implementing them in teamwork.
When I attended a ScieCon in summer 2024, I had the feeling that this creative and productive way of working could also be found at btS - and that has proven to be the case so far. I have experienced for myself that the transition from university to “real life” can be difficult because there are hardly any points of contact with companies and you don't even know what career paths are possible through a life science degree. As part of the btS family, I would like to help bridge this gap to pave the way for students into professional life and also gain valuable experience and skills myself.
Lea Alsheimer
Hello :)
I am Lea, I studied Life Science Engineering at the FAU in Erlangen and since April 2024 I have been doing my doctorate at the Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine in the field of malignant melanoma.
During my bachelor's degree, I already took part in some btS seminars and was immediately enthusiastic about the implementation of the event. That's why it was clear to me to get actively involved in btS during my Master's degree. What I particularly like is the freedom to get involved according to my own interests and become active in various projects. As an association, we offer students valuable opportunities to network with the industry and thus get a better start to their careers. In addition, btS enables us to strengthen our soft skills through further training and build a network with other students and potential employers.
In addition to working in our local office in Erlangen, I am also involved in working groups and teams across Germany. Here, I can not only expand my responsibilities, but also develop my project management skills and play an even more active and intensive role in shaping btS life. What are you waiting for? Take the plunge and join in! :)
Marie Sieger
Hello,
I'm Marie and I did my Bachelor's and Master's in Molecular Medicine at FAU. Molecular Medicine is a great, very interdisciplinary degree program that combines the natural sciences and medicine. I am particularly interested in bioinformatics and its application in medical research. The great thing about bioinformatics is that you can use it in virtually every field of research and in many different professions. However, it is also a challenge to choose the right career path and profession from this large selection.
For this reason, I became aware of the btS association, which has set itself the task of supporting students on their way into professional life and networking them with companies. When I went to my first meeting at btS, I was given a very warm welcome. I quickly realized that I really enjoy organizing events and that I can develop my soft skills and grow beyond myself through my involvement. In addition, btS offers a great opportunity for networking, not only with companies, but also with other committed students and alumni throughout Germany. That's why I finally decided to become a member of btS at the beginning of 2024 and am looking forward to gaining new experiences.
Chelsea Daggs
Hello everyone,
I'm Chelsea (23) and will soon be starting the Biomedicine Master's degree in Würzburg. During my bachelor, I learned the basics of natural sciences and immersed myself in the interesting topics of molecular biology, physiology, microbiology, immunology and many more.
After graduating from the Gymnasium, I decided to take a year to find a suitable course of study and to do a bit of voluntary work. During this research, I came across the btS. Unfortunately, there is still no GS in Würzburg, but I was warmly welcomed into the Erlangen team.
What I love so much about the btS is the feeling of community, the commitment that you can feel from everyone and the many networking opportunities and information in the field of life sciences that you get.
You also get a great insight into the organization of seminars and trade fairs and have lots of opportunities for self-development.
Céline Kohl
My name is Céline Kohl and I am studying Life Science Engineering for my Master's degree. I found out about btS through seminars and fellow students who were already members.
For me, membership is a great opportunity to get to know other students from different degree programs in the field of life sciences and to work together to create interesting and helpful offers for students that strengthen contact with industry.
Sirin Liebscher
Hi everyone, I'm Sirin and I started my PhD in Neurobiology at the University of Würzburg in January 2024.
During my Masters in Leipzig, I was already active in the BtS. After I moved cities and settled into PhD life, I really missed the BtS, which is why I am now part of the GS Erlangen. I've always enjoyed planning and organizing wherever I can - also in my free time. With BtS, I can do that as part of a colorful team of dedicated, friendly people. Moreover, I can also try my hand at many other areas within the BtS. For example, I can get to know the world of industry and its career prospects, practise professional communication or do public relations work.
What I appreciate most about BtS are the countless opportunities to get immediately involved, so that you can find the most exciting tasks for yourself at any time.
Maria Ziegler
Hi, I’m Maria. I’ve been active with btS since 2023. After serving on the board here in Erlangen for a year, I’m currently focusing my efforts on various groups at the national level to help shape the organization and take on leadership roles.
For me, btS is a place where everyone is welcome, where people can try new things and push themselves to new heights. I look forward to continuing to take advantage of the many opportunities btS offers and working together with other members on exciting projects and events, further developing my soft skills, and expanding my network.