Greetings from Bad Herrenalb!

BIF-IGS Annual Retreat on 11.-13.06.2025 in Bad Herrenalb

BIF-IGS Annual Retreat 2025 – A Memorable Gathering in Bad Herrenalb

From June 11th to 13th, 2025, the BioInterfaces International Graduate School (BIF-IGS) hosted its Annual Retreat in the picturesque town of Bad Herrenalb, bringing together students, principal investigators, and guest speakers for three days of scientific exchange, networking, and community building.

Held at the Haus der Kirche, the retreat began with a group journey from Karlsruhe Central Station, followed by a warm welcome, participant introductions, and a group photo. The program featured 10 student talks and 7 poster presentations, each followed by engaging discussions and valuable feedback from our dedicated PIs:

  • Clemens von Bojnicic-Kninski

  • Gary Davidson

  • Thomas Dickmeis

  • Nicholas Foulkes

  • Kersten Rabe

We were honoured to host two inspiring external speakers:

  • Dr. Manuela Ritz (Promega), who shared insights into career paths in the life sciences industry and her research on neurodegenerative diseases.

  • Dr. Michael Hagel (Carl ROTH), who provided a thought-provoking overview of regulatory frameworks in research environments.

Congratulations to our prize winners!

  • Best Poster Presentations:
    Jana Alpin, Caroline Röttger, and Savumiga Shanmugamani

  • Best Talks:
    Peter Conen, Laura Meisch, and Marius Stöckle

A special thank you to our fantastic organizing team, whose dedication and effort made this retreat a smooth and enjoyable experience:

  • Jana Alpin (IBCS),

  • Celeste Libretti (IOC),

  • Ivy Mayer (IBG) and

  • Sabrina Pfitsch (IBCS-BIP)

We also gratefully acknowledge our sponsors, Carl ROTH and Agilent Technologies, for their generous support.

Beyond the academic sessions, participants enjoyed a scenic hike along the Klosterpfad, a fun-filled ice-cream and games afternoon in the Kurpark, and a lively pub quiz night that sparked team spirit and laughter.

The retreat concluded with a feedback session, prize ceremony, and the election of new student representatives and the next retreat organizing team. The event was a resounding success, fostering collaboration, inspiration, and lasting connections among the BIF-IGS community.

We thank all participants, speakers, and organizers for making this retreat a truly enriching experience!