Franziska Kraus

Autoimmunity is a diverse and complex area with still a lot of white spots on the map. As a curious person I enjoy the detective work in science and to solve some parts of the puzzle. In the field of auto-immunity, I specially appreciate the melting pot of many different aspects, such as various research areas coming together with the clinical, translational part of my work, working close to the “bedside” and the patients and to be able to make use of a variety of methods. This motivation is not limited to my project. I am constantly searching for opportunities to expand my portfolio by attending courses and workshops to explore new areas, such as data science or to learn new methods and to enhance my current expertise. Being part of the HBIGS graduate-school, provides a lot of these opportunities, by bringing people together and offering professional trainings. I really appreciate this inter-disciplinary and inter-cultural exchange. A large part of science should definitely be, to be able to share your discoveries and knowledge with everyone who is interested or wants to get excited about it. As a translational scientist I am already partly confronted with communicating, what exactly I am doing. These skills I am currently aiming to expand and to improve, by training science communication for scientific and non-scientific audiences.