Campus
Felipa Reinlein, Innovation Management
In my doctoral thesis, I am looking at the cross-sector creation of innovations, particularly in the context of innovations that serve the common good. At the same time, I am part of the spin-off project “unparallabs”, which develops highly integrated, software-defined measurement systems. This combination of research and active research transfer allows me not only to further develop scientific findings theoretically, but also to put them directly into practice. I worked in industry before I started my doctoral thesis. That didn't completely fulfill me. As a curious, versatile, and inquisitive person, I wanted to go deeper, really understand things, ask my own questions, and be able to answer them in a well-founded way. For me, my doctoral thesis and research mean intellectual freedom, critical questioning, and the opportunity to actively work on topics that are socially relevant and close to my heart. My daily work follows the motto “failing forward”: every misstep is an opportunity for growth, innovation, and perseverance. My advice is: Have the courage to realize your full potential and explore new perspectives!
Katja Uhrhan, Biomechatronics
I am currently researching the fatigue behavior of muscles when they are activated by electrical stimulation (EMS). I use electromyography to measure muscle activity in order to analyze how much strain a muscle is actually under. This makes it easier to estimate when training is appropriately intense – and when it becomes too much. The aim is to be able to objectively assess training intensities and make EMS safer and more effective in therapy and fitness. I was drawn to science by my fascination with how the human body works and my desire to apply this knowledge to medical technology solutions. My advise: Don't be discouraged or intimidated if you are the only or one of the few (young) women in an internship, at university, in a project team or at conferences. Stand by your interests, trust in your abilities and follow your path with confidence.
Prof. Dr. Kathy Lüdge, Theoretical Physics II
My research topics come from nonlinear dynamics, laser modeling, and photonics. They are interconnected within the interdisciplinary field of neuromorphic computing, where our research group investigates which systems and algorithms can be used to realize efficient analog computing using optical methods. As enormous amounts of energy are currently required for computing and artificial intelligence, energy-efficient, specialized solutions beyond conventional computer architectures are crucially needed. Curiosity and a thirst for knowledge have been ever-present for me since I was a little kid. During my physics studies, my curiosity was constantly fed with new ideas, enabling me to be creative and get to the bottom of things. My advice: Do what brings you joy! Research is very fulfilling. It can sometimes lead to sleepless nights, but also to exciting discoveries and a sense of achievement. Perseverance, self-confidence, and a reliable personal and professional network are key factors in overcoming challenges.
Ting Xie, Electrochemical Biotechnology
As a PhD candidate in electrochemical biotechnology, I am working on the development of a micro-electrochemical reactor system. This system enables the parallel cultivation and precise analysis of electroactive microorganisms. In the long term, my goal is to contribute to the efficient conversion of electrical energy into biomass and valuable products, supporting the development of sustainable technologies. I have always been fascinated by the question of how fundamental scientific principles can be translated into real-world applications. I am particularly interested in interdisciplinary research at the interface of electrochemistry, biology, and microfluidics, in identifying connections between these fields and turning ideas into practical solutions. This path is not always easy, but that is exactly what motivates me most: understanding challenges and developing creative solutions. My advice: Progress is not always about speed - often it comes from patient and deep thinking. Stay curious and have the courage to explore new paths. Science thrives on diverse perspectives, and women play an essential role in shaping its future.
Nicole Kalamarski, Biotechnical Micro- and Nanosystems for the Life Sciences/Institute for Bioprocess and Analytical Measurement Technology e.V.
As part of my doctoral research, I am studying infective endocarditis, a life-threatening inflammation of the endocardium, the innermost layer of the heart. To develop new treatment approaches, I am establishing a polymicrobial biofilm model that replicates a bacterially infected heart valve under laboratory conditions. This model serves as a test platform for antibiotic-loaded nanoparticles designed to specifically penetrate the biofilm and combat the bacteria there. What drew me to science is curiosity and a passion for finding answers. I learned from my parents that you should try things out, and that the best solution often lies where you didn’t look at first. My advice: do what you enjoy! If something comes easily to you and inspires you, that’s no coincidence - it’s a signpost. Science isn’t a sprint; it’s a long journey. And on a long journey, the only thing that will carry you is what you truly love.
Elisabeth Wagner-Olfermann, International Risk, Crisis, and Science Communication Research Group
In my dissertation, I examine how transnational political leadership is portrayed and legitimized in media coverage during cross-border crises. At the same time, I am working on the MOVEwell project to advance the mobility transition in rural Thuringia. Amid the debate on increasing the weekly workweek and given my personal situation as a researcher and mother, I am also interested in how unpaid work - such as caregiving responsibilities and volunteer work - is addressed and negotiated in public and political discourse. My fascination with science didn't truly develop until after I completed my bachelor's degree, when I was working at a campaign agency and I realized that I usually wanted to research much more than necessary. Later, while studying at the Free University of Berlin, a facinating professor showed me how exciting a communication studies perspective on social and political issues can be. My advice: Don't compare yourself to others but instead focus on your own goals and needs. Especially as a woman, you should feel free to speak up and make your voice heard - there are now plenty of great initiatives out there, like MOM@Science.
Dr. Lina Jaurigue, CZS Young Researchers Group for Interpretable Models for Efficient Analog Time Series Forecasting
I use the complex dynamics of physical systems for calculations. I am interested in how various machine learning methods influence these dynamics. This is relevant for applications in sensor technology, time-series forecasting, and climate modeling. I’ve always liked certainty. Formulas had unambiguous solutions. Answers to questions about the physical world depended less on my teachers’ interpretations and on how eloquently they were phrased. Today, I see things a little differently: In research, there is definitely not always certainty, and eloquent expression plays a major role in scientific communication. My advice: If you feel that you’re being treated differently as a woman, there’s a good chance that’s actually the case. Often, these differences aren’t obvious and come from people who mean well. Sometimes this also creates opportunities that may feel unfair on an individual level but, in the broader social context, help to balance out inequalities and should be taken advantage of.
Clara Stolzenberg, Theoretical Electrical Engineering
I want to manufacture sensors – known as SQUIDs – in the clean room. SQUIDs (superconducting quantum interference devices) are highly sensitive magnetic field detectors. The sensors are designed to measure resources in deep underground areas as inhomogeneities in the magnetic field. My goal is to make the search for deep-lying raw materials more environmentally friendly by reducing the number of required boreholes. During my master's degree, I had the opportunity to write a paper and design a scientific poster. This allowed me to discover all the unknowns I had encountered in scientific work. I became more familiar with research over several years as a student assistant and was able to gain practical experience in the clean room at an early stage. When I was offered the chance to explore the fundamentals that interested me further as part of a doctorate, I didn't have to think twice. What advice would you give to girls and young women in science Life paths are not always straightforward. Enthusiasm for research, overcoming your own and others' doubts, and resilience are more important in the long run. Follow your own path!
Since December 1, 2025, Professor Dr. Sascha Klee has headed the Computational Medicine Group at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics at TU Ilmenau.
Prof. Klee completed his studies in electrical engineering in Ilmenau and then earned his doctorate in the field of neuroscience, i.e. research into the nervous system and the brain. During his time as a post-doctoral researcher, he conducted research into opto-neurological rehabilitation, among other things. This involves using special optical imaging principles to support neurological functions in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common disease of the retina. Another focus of his work was the evaluation of multimodal medical data, in which information from different information domains such as image, measurement and clinical data are analyzed together.
From 2016, Prof. Klee established new methods for processing sensor data as a junior professor of optoelectrophysiological medical technology. These sensor systems record electrical and optical signals from the body and are used in particular to study the human visual system, i.e. vision.
In 2021, Prof. Klee accepted a professorship in biostatistics and data science at the Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences in Austria. There, he developed models for the further use of complex, multidimensional clinical data in order to tailor medical decisions more closely to individual patients - a central approach to personalized medicine.
Prof. Klee now wants to continue this research in Ilmenau and specifically expand it to include new issues in which medical data is used proactively, for example for more efficient diagnostics or better planning of therapies:
The subsequent use of existing clinical data to gain new insights into disease progression or the effectiveness of therapies has been insufficiently researched to date. The methods often do not go beyond the calculation of simple quality assurance measures. I am very much looking forward to making a contribution to more efficient medicine by developing complex models.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bing Li
Resource-Efficient Artificial Intelligence Group
Newly appointed
Since December 1, 2025, Professor Bing Li has headed the Resource-Efficient Artificial Intelligence Group at Technische Universität Ilmenau.
His academic career began in 2010 with his doctorate at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). After his habilitation at TUM, Prof. Li was private lecturer at the Chair of Design Automation at TUM from 2018 to 2024. In July 2024, he moved to the University of Siegen as a junior professor, where he headed the Chair of Digital Integrated Systems until November 2025.
His research at TU Ilmenau focuses on high-performance and energy-efficient circuits and systems for AI algorithms, applications of artificial intelligence in circuit and system design and the development of new architectures for AI solutions with a special focus on hardware.
Prof. Li has already made a good start at TU Ilmenau:
TU Ilmenau is one of the best technical universities in Germany. The research atmosphere is open and collegial. The faculties work closely together to advance cutting-edge research and pioneering technologies that will enable the next technological and economic innovations.
According to him, the interdisciplinary research on energy-efficient green electronics and AI systems is particularly noteworthy:
I am very much looking forward to researching future energy-efficient AI systems together with internationally leading colleagues at TU Ilmenau - an endeavor that requires close collaboration from hardware to computer systems and applications.
Since January 1, 2026, Professor Hannes Scheibe is heading the Precision Engineering Group at Technische Universität Ilmenau.
After his studies of automotive engineering and mechanical engineering at the TU Ilmenau, Hannes Scheibe received his doctorate on the topic of "Active-adaptive polishing tools for production of rotationally symmetric aspheres" at the TU Ilmenau in parallel to his work as a development engineer at Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH. In 2018 he became teamleader of Optics Technology Development and was head of the Technology Development Group from 2021 on at Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH.
The mechanical engineer has also been contributing his experience in science and industry internationally as a member of the Scientific Committee of the European Society for Precision Engineering (EUSPEN) since 2019 and as a member of the Industrial Advisory Board of the Center for Freeform Optics (CeFO) since 2021.
At TU Ilmenau, Prof. Scheibe would like to continue ongoing research on precision weighing technology, as well as nanopositioning and nanomachining in cooperation with the Institute of Process Measurement and Sensor Technology, among others:
Furthermore, I see great potential in the research and development of technologies for low-particle assembly and low-particle alignment as well as low-emission machining in order to fulfil current and future requirements of high-performance optical systems.
Prof. Thomas Sattel, Dean of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at TU Ilmenau, is convinced:
With his scientific and industrial expertise according to the motto 'Optical technologies meet precision engineering', Prof. Scheibe perfectly complements our department’s strategy of resource-efficient precision engineering.
The university professor would like to pass on his enthusiasm for these topics to the next generation of future engineers in particular:
I am passionate about machines, technologies and challenging topics. A technically outstanding education may enable to solve technical problems - but in combination with passion, technical solutions will be mature and far more sustainable.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Florian Römer
Group of Signal Processing for Intelligent Sensor Systems
Newly appointed
Since May 1, 2025, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Florian Römer is heading the newly created Group of Signal Processing for Intelligent Sensor Systems at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at TU Ilmenau.
Prof. Römer studied computer engineering at the TU Ilmenau and at McMaster University in Canada. After graduating in 2006, he completed his doctorate at the Communications Research Laboratory Group at TU Ilmenau and subsequently taught and researched as a postdoc in the university's Electronic Measurements and Signal Processing Group EMS. He received the EURASIP Best Dissertation Award for his research in 2013 and was a Carl Zeiss Postdoctoral Fellow from 2016 to 2017. He gained international scientific experience at the Technion in Haifa (Israel) and at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) in Brazil, among others.
In 2018, Prof. Florian Römer moved to the Fraunhofer Institute for Nondestructive Testing IZFP, where he established the junior research group "Signal Processing for Material Data Acquisition with Intelligent Sensor Technology "(SigMaSense") as group leader. As Chief Scientist, he is also responsible for the area of applied AI, signal processing and data analysis.
At TU Ilmenau, the scientist is dedicated to the development of novel architectures for sensor-based data acquisition and processing, with a particular focus on ultrasound imaging, process monitoring in manufacturing and AI-supported signal processing. Other topics include assistance systems for manual inspection processes, remote inspection, methods for signal reconstruction and the systematic use of AI for data analysis and knowledge acquisition.
Prof. Florian Römer is also involved in several scientific committees. He is a (Senior) Area Editor on the Editorial Board of the IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing since 2020, was an elected member of the Technical Area Committee Signal Processing for Multisensor Systems of EURASIP from 2019 to 2024 and is the Co-Head of the Thuringia Working Group of the DGZfP (German Society for Non-Destructive Testing) since 2023.
Prof. Römer lives with his family in Ilmenau, is married and has three children. In his free time, he is involved in music and is the second chairman of the Ilmenau Bach Choir, among other things, and his hobbies include nature, photography and music.
Since December 1, 2024, Prof. Dr. Gerrit Köchling has headed the newly created Group of Finance at the Department of Economic Sciences and Media at TU Ilmenau.
Prof. Köchling completed both his Bachelor's and Master's degree in Business Mathematics at TU Dortmund University. As the best student in his year, he gained a profound insight into mathematical models and their application in the world of finance. At the same university, he completed his doctorate in finance with distinction. His dissertation, in which he dealt with market efficiency and risk management, was honored with the dissertation prize of the Faculty of Economics at TU Dortmund University.
Prof. Köchling gained international experience during a research stay at Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, where he worked intensively on sustainable finance.
With the establishment of the new Group of Finance at TU Ilmenau, Prof. Köchling aims to shape both research and teaching in an innovative way. He is particularly concerned with corporate finance, i.e. the financial management and decision-making of companies. A particular focus is on financial markets and ESG (environmental, social and governance). His aim is to inspire students with enthusiasm for current issues in the world of finance and at the same time provide them with sound methodological and analytical skills.
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Prof. Dr. Jana de Wiljes has headed the new Mathematics of Data Science Group at the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at TU Ilmenau since October 2023. Her academic career began with a doctorate in the field of machine learning at the specialized area of mathematics at Freie Universität Berlin. For her dissertation on data-driven discrete spatiotemporal models, she was awarded the Tiburtius Prize for doctoral students at Berlin universities for outstanding dissertations. Since June 2017, she has been Principal Investigator of various projects on data assimilation within a Collaborative Research Center funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). In June 2022, Prof. de Wiljes was awarded the title of Dosentti (lecturer) in mathematics in the field of machine learning - comparable to a German habilitation - by the Department of Engineering at Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology in Finland.
Prof. de Wiljes' research work focuses primarily on sequential learning - a method that makes it possible to make reliable predictions even with little data. This includes the theoretical investigation and uncertainty quantification of existing techniques, the development of new and advanced algorithms for Bayesian inference, and the application of state-of-the-art methods to real-world data in areas such as climate and space weather modeling. In particular, she develops methods for high-dimensional, nonlinear and nonstationary inverse problems and analyzes them for stability and accuracy. In addition, she deals with supervised and unsupervised machine learning and reinforcement learning, especially in connection with the optimization of therapies and the identification of causal links in medicine. In addition to her professorship at TU Ilmenau, Prof. de Wiljes also holds a visiting professorship at the Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology.
The Equal Opportunities Officer at TU Ilmenau, Dr. Katja Tonisch, has been unanimously re-elected by the Senate for a further term of office. Over the next three years, she will continue to represent the interests of equal opportunities at the university.
In accordance with Section 6 ThürHG, the Equal Opportunities Officer works towards achieving the constitutionally guaranteed equality of opportunity between the sexes and supports the university in creating equal development opportunities for all persons and reducing existing disadvantages. "In principle, any member of TU Ilmenau can turn to me with gender equality issues," explains Dr. Tonisch. The spectrum of concerns ranges from strategic issues such as the implementation of the gender equality plan and support with recruitment procedures to advice on gender equality aspects in scientific applications and personal support.
Dr. Tonisch has set herself a number of goals for her new term of office. For example, she would like to further strengthen transparency and fairness in appointment procedures and increase the proportion of female professors at TU Ilmenau:
The seal of approval from the German University Association confirms that TU Ilmenau is already very well positioned in these aspects of appointment procedures. Nevertheless, increasing the proportion of female professors remains an important goal for the coming years.
The Equal Opportunities Officer has resolved to better address the increasing proportion of international female students through targeted, English-language courses. Another aim is to make young men more aware of traditional equality issues such as the compatibility of career and family and to encourage them to actively include their role as fathers in their life planning.
The creation of equal opportunities, collegial cooperation and respect for all people regardless of their social and ethnic background, their religious beliefs and their sexual orientation is a central motif of an open-minded campus community, which I will work towards.
The Diversity Officer at TU Ilmenau, Andrea Krieg, has been unanimously re-elected by the Senate for a further term of office. Over the next three years, she will continue to represent the interests of diversity at the university.
Andrea Krieg, who has been the Diversity Officer at TU Ilmenau since the position was introduced in 2018, will continue her work over the next three years. The election was made by the Academic Senate at the suggestion of the Presidential Board and was confirmed unanimously.
As Diversity Officer, Andrea Krieg represents the interests of all members and affiliates of the university, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, gender identity or sexual orientation. In coordination with other representatives, such as the Equal Opportunities Officer and the Representative for Severely Disabled Persons, she helps to shape teaching, study and working conditions. She also works to eliminate existing disadvantages and advises those affected.
Andrea Krieg has set herself ambitious goals for her new term of office:
I want to help ensure that TU Ilmenau remains an open-minded place where a non-discriminatory university culture is practiced.
One focus of her work will be to make barriers visible and support their removal in order to create inclusive conditions that enable all members of the university to work and study healthily and successfully. She sees particular challenges in promoting a sense of community and living diversity:
How do we create good integration for all members of the university? And how can the values of our university's mission statement be experienced in daily practice? I want us to consciously grow as a community. This can be achieved through respectful, appreciative interaction, active non-judgmental listening, participatory discussion processes and a sense of community.
Thomas Helbig has been the Advisor for Technology and Research at the Ilmenau Interactive Immersive Technologies Center (I3TC) since October 1, 2023. As an infrastructure unit of TU Ilmenau, the I3TC Center is assigned to the Institute for Intelligent and Interactive Immersive Media and Technologies (I4MT). The core of the technology center is formed by the laboratories for augmented, mixed and virtual reality and the TU Ilmenau media laboratory, which are being built in the new computer center (Grace-Hopper-Bau). This will create an environment for top-class research and teaching in the field of interactive immersive media at the TU Ilmenau.
After studying mechatronics at the TU Ilmenau, Thomas Helbig worked for over eleven years as a research assistant at the Biomechatronics Group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He is therefore very familiar with the structures at TU Ilmenau and can draw on a wealth of experience in applying for and carrying out scientific projects. The graduate engineer is also familiar with working in interdisciplinary teams. Over the years, his scientific activities have focused in particular on people, their senses, how they move and how they can be supported technically.
In his role as Advisor for Technology and Research, Thomas Helbig acts as an interface between the management and all scientific and technical staff at the I3TC. In addition to providing purely organizational support to the center's management, he is the point of contact for questions relating to the technical and content-related design of the center. He supports the networking of I3TC members, organizes events such as colloquia or study information days and helps to develop courses at the I3TC. He is also responsible for the external presentation of the center and in this role will work together with the Division of Marketing and Communication at TU Ilmenau and offer guided tours of the I3TC. Thomas Helbig is particularly interested in using the I3TC and the I4MT to help make the TU Ilmenau attractive to both future students and researchers.
