Get to know the new excellence scholarship holders at D-CHAB

"I am Magdalena, from Austria, and studying Chemistry for my Master's at ETH, focusing on Digital Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering. I'm intrigued by how we can use advanced machine learning techniques to extract information from spectroscopic data, elucidate structures, and advance our understanding of reaction mechanisms. Digital Chemistry enables us to accelerate the discovery of materials, optimize processes, and decode hidden patterns within vast amounts of data. Previously, I worked with Prof. Copéret on Machine Learning in solid-state NMR and am now working in Prof. Jorner's group on predicting reactivity from molecular surfaces. I plan to join MIT for my Master's thesis, exploring data-driven methods in mass spectrometry to decipher environmental degradation pathways of complex mixtures. I definitely consider reading, coding and talking science with colleagues and friends hobbies of mine! In my free time, I love to dance and have recently taken up improvisation theatre and science slam. Being awarded the ESOP fellowship is an immense honor for me. It not only affirms my past achievements but also allows me to dedicate fully to my studies and research at ETH."

"I’m Valerie, I’m from New Hampshire, USA and I’m in the new Biochemistry – Chemical Biology (BCB) MSc program at ETH. I did my Bachelor’s at the University of New Hampshire in Biochemistry. The addition of BCB to ETH's range of Master’s degree programs this year was extremely exciting to me. The extensive and interdisciplinary range of teaching and research portfolios was an extremely compelling and unique feature of the BCB program. Within the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, I am particularly interested in research pertaining to protein engineering and modification for my Master’s thesis. The majority of my previous research experience has been related to studying the natural structure and function of proteins. Thus, I find research related to expanding and manipulating these natural proteins especially exciting. Outside of studying, I love to hike on the weekends and go to Zumba classes at ASVZ! The financial assistance from the ESOP scholarship is what makes my entire degree here in Switzerland possible. Along with this financial aspect, the ESOP scholarship has allowed me to connect with amazingly smart and talented peers that I otherwise may not have had the chance to meet."

”I grew up in a rural town of Basel-Land in Switzerland and moved to the city of Zürich to pursue a Bachelor's degree in chemistry at ETH. During my studies, I developed a broad interest in the fields of computational and theoretical chemistry. For my Master’s thesis I plan on investigating the passive cell permeation of macrocyclic peptides using a combination of molecular dynamics simulations and Markov state model analysis. These approaches can give atomistic insights into the permeation process and even lead to new drug design principles. I have always been fascinated by the amount of insight these computational methods can provide for real-life problems. Currently, my academic focus revolves around a project involving the autonomous chemical interaction network exploration of the enigmatic Soai reaction. The ESOP is not only a financial blessing, but it also allowed me to get to know a bunch of wonderful people, a benefit which I am thoroughly grateful for. Beyond academia, I find my equilibrium in the world of sports – be it in beach volleyball, athletics, or surfing. Sport and competition have always been a big part of my life.”

"Hello, I’m Jasmin. Three years ago, I started my Bachelor studies in interdisciplinary sciences here at ETH Zürich because I knew that I wanted to have the freedom to design my individual study program focusing on what fascinates me the most. Now I’m an ESOP scholar in the first semester of my Master's studies. This is an incredible honour for me and motivates me to keep doing what I do best: asking questions, coming up with crazy ideas, and staying motivated, no matter what. What interests me most is the constantly growing chemical and biological toolbox, with which we are not only able to delve deeper into the fundamental questions of nature but can further design solutions for pressing problems in medicine, materials science, and other disciplines. In the future, I especially want to focus on organic chemistry and how it can be applied to solve the challenges and questions we are facing today. If you don’t find me in the lab or library, you will probably find me outside, either on a horse or racing down some mountain with my skis."

"My name is Lisa Sherman. I'm in the Chemical and Bioengineering Master’s Program. I’m from Minnesota and completed my Chemical Engineering BSc at Northeastern University, where I was actively involved with Engineers without Borders, helping to design and implement a gravity-fed water distribution system in Panama. A lover of hiking, backpacking, skiing, and the outdoors, I also joined the leadership committee that helps run Northeastern’s Outdoors Club Lodge. During my Master’s, I want to focus on biochemical and protein engineering for therapeutic development. My BSc included three full-time industry internships, sparking my passion for making a patient-centered impact in pharmaceuticals. My work spanned bispecific antibody engineering, high-throughput cell-based assay development, and process development for microparticle-based drug delivery. After graduation, I worked for two years at Alloy Therapeutics, developing B cell-based antibody discovery platforms. The ESOP fellowship was crucial in enabling me to continue my education at ETH. I’m looking forward to growing as a scientist and engineer at a highly international and interdisciplinary institution, taking advantage of the incredible research opportunities at ETH, and ideally continuing to pursue my doctorate here."