Dr. Sarah Schweighofer interviewed for »Women in Science«

Sarah Schweighofer studied molecular biology at the University of Vienna and completed her master’s thesis at Yale, where she discovered the fascinating world of high-resolution microscopy. In her subsequent doctoral studies at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, she investigated pro-apoptotic proteins and looked into how their interactions orchestrate the complex process of cell death. She also further expanded her knowledge of high-resolution microscopy in the process.

Who or what made you want to work in health research?

My biology teacher was no longer able to answer my probing questions about genetics and molecular biology and gave up trying, telling me: »If it interests you that much, you’ll just have to study it yourself.« Attending a summer school called »Kommissar DNA« further strengthened my resolve to find out more about molecular biology and then enroll on a study program.

To what extent do you think the dynamics and relevance of health research have changed in recent years? And how has the role of women changed?

Science is currently undergoing a transformation. We are moving away from descriptive research and further toward a scientific approach that uses very large data sets to find answers to questions that were considered unsolvable not so long ago. Processing large volumes of data is no longer possible without the help of computers and specialized methods such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. This is why computer science is playing an increasingly important role in biology and health research.

Now I would like to see more women getting enthusiastic about the technology used in health research. While the proportion of female researchers in life sciences is growing, positions in bioinformatics or biophysics are still predominantly held by men. However, the use of computers and software programs is an integral part of life sciences now, although it is something that is often overlooked in study programs. For young female researchers in particular, who tend to have less contact with technology and programs in their private lives, a greater emphasis on these topics while they are still at the studying stage would make them less reluctant to engage with them in future.

What exactly are you currently working on at Fraunhofer ITMP?

At Fraunhofer ITMP’s Translational Neuroinflammation and Automated Microscopy site in Göttingen, we are working on establishing high-resolution STED microscopy as an advanced screening method for carrying out detailed characterizations of new pharmacologically active substances. This allows us to visualize the effects of active compounds on patient cells at the subcellular level. It enables us to detect changes that are almost impossible to spot with other methods. I work at the interface between the biology laboratory and image data analysis. Automated algorithms are used to extract information that is invisible to the human eye.

What other goals are on your research agenda and to what extent does your work interact with your private life, with your family and friends?

I would like my work to help generate a more precise understanding of cellular mechanisms and thus improve human health.

My fascination and curiosity naturally play a big part in my everyday life too. I never stop being curious. Many of my friends work in science like me. I find it fascinating to gain an insight into their research topics and hear their thoughts during our evenings out together.

In the professional research environment, we often have to be creative in finding solutions to problems. This creativity is also reflected in my private life — in my love of Lindy Hop dancing.

What advice would you like to give to women who want to start a career in health research?

Get out of your comfort zone and be brave! Have the courage to put forward your unique perspective and offer different approaches and solutions in a largely male-dominated environment. Stay curious, and embrace technology, programs and machines with enthusiasm. Also, as researchers, we sometimes approach problems too rationally and tend to »think them to death.« Sometimes you need to trust your instincts too.