Mara Steiger studied bioinformatics at the Free University of Berlin. She completed her bachelor's degree in 2019 and her master's degree in 2022. She is currently a doctoral student in Computational Genomics at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (IMPRS-BAC) and the Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Engineering.

Why did you decide to pursue a doctoral degree?
In the course of my bachelor's and master's thesis, I often felt like I was only scratching the surface of the research projects. At some point, I was at the low point of the curve of the Dunning-Kruger effect, where you realize how much you still don't know. So, starting a doctorate was a matter of wanting to continue learning and being curious about the research topic. Plus, it's of course a good excuse to put off the question of job hunting for a few more years. ;)
What knowledge or skills did you acquire in your studies that you didn't think you'd ever need?
The ability to switch between different subject areas, which is something you practice daily in the bioinformatics program at FU, has proven to be particularly helpful for me. This interdisciplinary approach is central to my work at the intersection of biology, computer science, and medicine. Even theoretical concepts, such as the complexity analysis of algorithms, which seemed abstract to me at the time, later proved surprisingly useful to me.
What would you have liked to have done or learned during your studies?
I would have liked to have the option of studying abroad during my studies. It was originally planned during my master's, but it wasn't possible due to the pandemic. Additionally, in retrospect, I would have liked to have had more opportunities to practice presentation skills, as they play an important role in everyday scientific life and contribute to how one's own research is perceived.
What recommendations do you have for students who want to complete their studies in a timely manner?
I would recommend being aware of what you enjoyed the most in your studies and what you would like to do long-term. The next step doesn't have to be the "most logical" one; a lot of things also come about by chance or through contacts. Therefore, a good network is extremely helpful. When considering a doctorate, one should also carefully consider where and with whom one will be doing the doctorate, as this can be more important than the exact topic of the work itself. I was very fortunate in this regard and am very grateful to work in an environment that is both professionally and personally very inspiring.