Beyond the Bench: Spotlight on IGZ’s Postdocs

17.09.2024

Im Uhrzeigersinn: M. Barman, A. Touw (Foto: S. Bernhardt), A. Moreno. #PAW Germany Logo (Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry MPIB)

Postdoctoral researchers make an indispensable contribution to IGZ’s scientific success and visibility. Through their commitment they drive innovation, engage in scientific outreach, strengthen the community as critical peers, mentors, educators, and leaders. To provide tailored support and conditions to our early career researchers, the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) has established strategic guidelines for professional development and the diversification of career paths. On the occasion of the annual Postdoc Appreciation Week Germany, initiated by colleagues in Munich and Hannover, we highlight the work of three of our postdoctoral researchers.

Abigail Moreno and Axel Touw not only carry out their own research projects, but also engage in shaping the working environment for their peers at the IGZ. Since May 2024, they have taken on the role as Postdoc Representatives and are involved in developing support measures for our early career researchers.

Being asked what they like best about their job, Abigail Moreno emphasizes the joy she finds in collaborating with colleagues: "The best part of my job is to channel my curiosity into research projects while collaborating across our research group, institute, and the broader scientific community. Together, we want to develop projects that can address and provide solutions to the current problems we face as a society." She also values the opportunity to share her expertise with younger students.

Axel Touw shares similar sentiments about curiosity and creativity in his role: “I enjoy being able to follow my curiosity and learn new things every day while, at the same time, contributing to a more environmentally way of food production.” Axel appreciates the sense of community, emphasizing how colleagues are always “open to share their knowledge and experience – as well as a new recipe or two now and then”.

Cutting-edge research requires a well-equipped and professionally managed research infrastructure. Our postdocs aiming for an infrastructure-based career independently, develop professional expertise in state-of-the-art techniques related to their research interests and support institute-wide scientific projects. By being responsible for the GC-MS facility within IGZ’s Science Support Platform, Monica Barman also provides training and specialist advice on experimental design and analytical methods.

Coming from an agricultural family combined with a professional background in both plant biology and chemical ecology, she reflects on her motivation: “I have always been interested in understanding of crop production and the impact of the environment on plants. My postdoctoral position at IGZ offers the perfect platform to pursue this dream. My research focuses on abiotic stress in cucurbits, while also supporting projects that explore diverse aspects of plant-environment interactions that require volatile analyses via GC-MS.”