Each year hundreds of the best and brightest researchers gather in Lindau, Germany, for the Nobel Laureate Meeting. There, the newest generation of scientists mingles with Nobel Prize winners and discusses their work and ideas. The 2013 meeting is dedicated to chemistry and will involve young researchers from 78 different countries. In anticipation of the event, which will take place from June 30 through July 5, we are highlighting a group of attendees under 30 who represent the future of chemistry. The following profile is the 14th in a series of 30.
Name: Jennifer Meyer
Age: 28
Born: Bitburg, Germany
Nationality: German
Current position: PhD student at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern in Germany
Education: Diploma in chemistry from the Technical University of Kaiserslautern
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What is your field of research?
I study the evolution of magnetism on a microscopic scale, such as the magnetism of small clusters and how spin and orbit contribute to the total magnetic moment.
What drew you to chemistry, and to that research area in particular?
My motivation for science comes from a desire to understand the fundamentals of how our world works. I am currently studying the evolution of magnetism from the atomic scale to the whole effect. Though I was trained as a chemist, my research topic is now more in the realm of physics than I imagined it would be at the beginning of my Ph.D. thesis. Magnetism is fundamental to our everyday life, and yet there are so many new materials and applications that the topic is still expanding. This is a constant challenge, as many aspects have yet to be addressed and the discipline is becoming interdisciplinary. One fascinating part of science is how so many scientists from different disciplines work together in order to better understand a problem and ultimately solve it—but once you think you have solved a problem, new questions come up.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hope that in 10 years I am still working in a scientific environment in which innovative science is possible. I hope to work with diverse group of scientists who all contribute to science as a team.
Who are your scientific heroes?
My heroes are Lise Meitner and Otto Hahn because they showed what is possible if two brilliant minds from two different scientific disciplines work together on one project.
What activities outside of chemistry do you most enjoy?
I enjoy reading a lot. If I have time, I like to go to museums. I cannot paint well, but I enjoy modern and contemporary art.
What do you hope to gain from this year’s Lindau meeting?
I hope to develop ideas through discussions with the Noble Laureates as well as with the other attending scientists. The possibility to interact with scientists from so many different disciplines makes new insights possible, thanks to the differing points of view. I also hope that discussions about science in general and current topics will help me to define my future path in science.
Are there any Nobelists whom you are particularly excited to meet?
I am excited to have the opportunity to meet so many inspiring scientists. I haven’t thought about any Nobelists in particular, but I hope that their points of view and experiences in science will inspire me. The opportunity to talk about science and current topics with scientists who discovered basic technologies or phenomena will be unique.
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