Although they make up half of all doctoral students in the natural sciences, they are underrepresented as professors: Women occupy less than 30 percent of professorships at UAS across Germany - despite very good funding. At Coburg University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr. Susanne Aileen Funke is campaigning for a better quota - and at the same time is working on a cure for Alzheimer's disease.
When a person develops Alzheimer's disease, something changes in the brain: two of the body's own proteins begin to clump together in a particular way. Molecular biologist Prof. Dr. Susanne Aileen Funke at the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and Health at Coburg University of Applied Sciences is investigating special protein substances that prevent one of the relevant proteins from binding to itself.
The fight against forgetting
The professor hopes that this will enable long-awaited medication against a previously incurable disease. Despite much progress in research and the approval of new drugs in the USA, there is still no cure that can stop or reverse Alzheimer's, says Prof. Dr. Funke: “I would like to help develop one. The D-peptides that we have developed in the laboratory here at the university are very promising. However, they need to be tested further.”
For over 15 years, the 49-year-old has been researching molecular biological methods for diagnoses and possible active substances and therapies for Alzheimer's disease. “After completing my doctorate in the field of evolutionary biotechnology, I actually wanted to apply for a job in the industry. But then I saw a job advertisement for a postdoc position at the university on the subject of Alzheimer's research and I found it so exciting that I spontaneously applied.”
Women in research
She has not regretted her decision to this day, as this is how she came to be a professor at the university and can make a big difference. Among other things, she was Vice President for Research in the university management and was able to play an active role in shaping the institution.
Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Funke is also the deputy representative for women in the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Health. One of her goals is to inspire more women to pursue a career as a professor, as the opportunities and circumstances have never been as favorable as they are now: “We only have just over 20 percent female professors across the university. That should urgently be changed. Fortunately, female academics are well supported today. I recommend to all women to seize their opportunities!”
At Coburg University of Applied Sciences, the active promotion of women is firmly anchored in the strategy paper “On the way to University 2030” and is supported by other initiatives, such as the Project Impetus. In addition to a good network, it is also important to be visible in your job and not to be too modest, advises the Women's Representative.
The path to a professorship
Aileen Funke is very happy in her job as a scientist and has resolved to convey this feeling to other people. “In general, the promotion of young scientists is an important concern for me.” That's why, as a member of the “Analytics4Health” doctoral center at Coburg University of Applied Sciences, she accompanies doctoral students on their scientific doctorates.
Her love for biology runs like a thread through her life: “It was always clear to me that I wanted to study biology or medicine. However, I would never have thought that I would become a professor. I wouldn't have dared to do that.” Thanks to many supporters she finally arrived in her current position. But other female academics can and should do the same,: “As a scientist, I had to get used to setbacks. Failed experiments, rejected applications for third-party funding and rejected publications simply happen. It's important not to give up or to choose a different path if the one you're actually aiming for isn't feasible.”
What does it take for an interested university graduate to follow this path as well? “First of all, an obsession with the respective research topic helps,” says the 49-year-old with a smile. “Optimism is just as important as hard work. And a certain tolerance for frustration, as well as organizational talent.” In this way, they can change the world a little every day. And perhaps the next big discovery will come from a female professor from Coburg.
