Dr. Hanna Bonnekoh interviewed for »Women in Science«

Dr. Hanna Bonnekoh is a specialist in dermatology and venereology with an additional focus on allergology and has been working at the Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP in the Immunology and Allergology IA since January 2024. The Fraunhofer ITMP site in Berlin conducts research in cooperation with the Institute of Allergology at Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Hanna Bonnekoh is Head of Preclinical Research there. Her research focuses on the disease urticaria and its differential diagnoses.

What exactly are you currently researching at Fraunhofer ITMP and how do you think research into the immune system influences the development of innovative treatments?

Our current research projects focus on the pathomechanisms of urticaria, a common mast cell-mediated disease that often causes itchy wheals and/or swelling on a daily basis. Autoallergy and autoimmunity play an important role in chronic spontaneous urticaria. We want to find out whether these concepts are also relevant for other forms of urticaria. Research into these mechanisms is fundamental for the development of new therapeutic approaches for urticaria. We also test new substances in cell models and on material from patients. And we conduct clinical studies.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in health research and how did you overcome them?

I became pregnant at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the regulations in force at the time, I was subject to a partial employment ban, which meant that I was no longer allowed to work directly with patients. That was a blow for me, as I wasn’t expecting it and I really enjoy my clinical work. I then focused more on non-clinical scientific work, which enabled me to complete several projects with successful publications. Looking back, this intensive writing period had lots of benefits for me.

In your opinion, what are the key steps that need to be taken to promote equality in health research in the long term?

When does unbalanced participation of women, men and gender-diverse people occur in the labor market, in this case in health research? I believe that this happens when you start a family, or just after. Sharing parental leave equally between both parents is the key to equality in my view. I also believe that we need Germany-wide, non-contributory childcare. The option of flexible working hours in health research makes it much easier to combine work and family life.

What does success in research mean to you? Is it scientific progress, social recognition or something else?

For me personally, success in research means working intensively on projects, generating results and then making them available. But for me, success in research is also when we succeed in raising awareness of urticaria and its differential diagnoses in areas such as the public, the media, industry and, last but not least, the medical profession. I will consider our research to have been successful if it helps to improve the care situation for these patients. These successes are only possible as a team!

How can networks and mentoring programs support women in health research and what experiences have you had in this area?

The discussion opportunities provided by networks and mentoring programs for women in health research can help women to overcome their own challenges and find role models. Through discussions in network meetings, I have become more aware of the different needs and challenges of other women.