Evelin Aasna completed her master's degree in bioinformatics at the Free University of Berlin in 2022. She is currently working on her doctorate at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, where she is developing C-software for sequence analysis.

Why did you decide to pursue a doctoral degree?

I was enthusiastic about bioinformatics and wanted to continue studying for the doctorate, of course. When choosing the working group, it was important to me that the software competencies I strive for myself would be present in the group.

What knowledge or skills did you acquire in your studies that you didn't think you'd ever need?

I didn't think I would need to use German technical terms in the English-language program.

What would you have liked to do or learn during your studies?

I wish I had asked more questions and known more about tax returns during my studies.

What recommendations do you have for students who want to complete their studies in a timely manner?

Take advantage of the university network. Let your fellow students and professors know if you are looking for a job. I found the positions for my stays abroad in Heidelberg and Iceland thanks to former supervisors. I can recommend the Erasmus internship for recent graduates.

Do you have any idea how you can proceed after your doctorate?

After graduating, I see myself working as a software engineer, preferably still at the interface with biology.