Her future had been decided for her: the man she was supposed to marry, her role as a housewife, a life dictated by the rules of her caste. But then Geetha Thangavelu discovered her love of mathematics and everything changed. The story of a career swimming against the tide and against all expectations.
Internationalisation, globalisation, flexibility – these are all terms that encapsulate the new academic landscape. Researchers nowadays come from all over the world and go all over the world. Never was there a generation that enjoyed such opportunities – and was subject to similar pressure.
Germany recently became home to the world's largest x-ray laser, the European XFEL. The x-ray flashes generated in the 3.4 km long system of underground tunnels allow the tiniest particles and extremely fast processes to be studied with an unprecedented level of precision.
Why do we find it so difficult to stick to a diet or take regular exercise? The US psychologist Kathleen Vohs knows the causes and how we can achieve our goals despite them.
The molecular biologist Francine Ntoumi established independent malaria research in Africa and is now involved in developing a promising vaccine against this tropical disease.
