From Code to Cure: Highlights from our Networking Event

On April 14, 2026, we hosted From Code to Cure: Post-/doctoral Sparks in Data Science and Biomedicine in Freiburg, bringing together early-career researchers from different programs for interdisciplinary exchange and stronger intra-institutional connections throughout Freiburg.

Flash Presentations
We opened with flash presentations from program representatives who endorsed the event, each offering a clear overview of program research focus, training structure, and collaboration opportunities. The talks also gave participants practical guidance on how to get involved through workshops, seminars, round tables, recruitment calls, and upcoming scientific events.

• Nadine Binder — PI of CRC 1597 Small Data IRTG SMART
• Anne Claßen — Director of the Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM)
• Catherine Heath — Coordinator of the PhD Program at Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics
• Susanne Elfert — Coordinator of GRK 2606 – ProtPath: Structured Doctoral Training in Proteolysis

Icebreaker: Skill Marketplace
Participants joined the Skill Marketplace icebreaker, designed to make first conversations easier and help people quickly identify shared interests and complementary expertise.

Scientific Topic Tables
The Scientific Topic Tables were the core element of the event, creating a structured setting for participants to exchange perspectives, discuss emerging trends, and develop concrete ideas for future collaboration. At the beginning of the session, the different topics were introduced to the full audience by the doctoral and postdoctoral researchers who had suggested them. Based on these short presentations, participants selected the topic that best matched their interests and joined the respective discussion group, which was moderated by the person who had proposed it. Within these small groups, participants explored key challenges, methods, and opportunities from different disciplinary perspectives. In the final plenary, the moderators shared the main outcomes of their discussions and highlighted new ideas for collaboration that had emerged.

We had a strong and diverse set of topics, covering not only relevant scientific trends but also meta-level themes around interdisciplinary collaboration, and how to work across fields:

• Large Language Models in Biology — Ryan Koeksal
• Lost in Translation: Challenges in Interdisciplinary Collaboration — Timo Rachel
• Multiple Sclerosis Sparks: A Translational and Multidisciplinary Approach — Dr. Enis Guso
• Smart Labs-on-Chips: Bridging Microfluidics and Image Analysis for Precision Biomedicine — María Fernanda Cadena Vizuete
• Beyond Differential Expression: Unlocking Splicing Information from RNA-seq — Victoria Garcia
• Unleashing Agents: A Round-Table on the Future of Automation — Fabian Kabus

A particularly strong outcome was the number of new collaboration ideas that emerged directly from these exchanges.

Feedback
Post-event feedback was very encouraging: 90% of survey respondents rated the event as valuable and said they would like this format to continue.
We are glad participants found the event meaningful and enjoyable, especially through cross-program exchange and new collaboration opportunities.

Acknowledgements
Thank you to the endorsing academic programs, Freiburg Graduate Centre (GraCe) for joining with a stand, BrainLinks-BrainTools for room and logistical support, and the DFG for making the event possible.

#Networking #InterdisciplinaryResearch #PhD #Postdoc #DataScience #Biomedicine #Freiburg

Marc Schumacher

Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics,
Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center –
University of Freiburg