Ainara and Alexandra Are the New Student Representatives
Our PhD students elected Ainara Claveras and Alexandra Kaminer as their representatives for the year 2024
Ainara and Alexandra will represent the students’ interests, and will be there to help with questions, problems, or challenges arising amongst the students. By organizing student-driven activities and participating in decision-making as voting members of the Steering Committee, the student representatives will contribute to shaping the future of the IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics.
Interview by Katharina Käfer & Jannick Baake
In an Interview, Ainara and Alexandra talked about their motivation, their goals, and their interests beyond science.
What are your responsibilities as student representatives of the IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics?
Ainara: Our main responsibility is to make sure that the interest of the IMPRS students are represented in decision-making processes concerning the program. We should hence invite the rest of the IMPRS students to general meetings, and chair meetings of the student committee.
Alexandra: Our primary responsibility is to ensure that the interests and concerns of the IMPRS students are adequately represented in the decision-making processes related to the program. Additionally, we are responsible for leading the student committee meetings, facilitating discussions, and ensuring that the collective viewpoints of the students are communicated effectively to the program administration. We act as a bridge between the student body and the program leadership, advocating for the needs and suggestions of our peers.
Why did you choose to be student representatives? Do you have any specific ideas about what you would like to accomplish as student representatives?
Alexandra: In addition to fulfilling the standard duties of a student representative, I am particularly passionate about fostering a strong, supportive student community. I envision creating a safe and welcoming space where students feel comfortable discussing any and all issues they may face. It's clear that students often hesitate to share their problems or concerns, even with their peers. To address this, I would like to organize events or small workshops designed to help students get to know each other better while engaging in enjoyable activities. These gatherings would not only build camaraderie but also provide a relaxed environment for open dialogue. Additionally, after our IMPRS-CBP seminars, we all are having an informal meet-ups at nearby restaurants, where students can freely discuss their lab work and any challenges they are encountering. This combination of formal and informal interactions hopefully will help build a more cohesive and supportive community.
Ainara: Besides the regular duties as a student representative, I would love to help creating a strong student community. I think it would be great to have a safe space where all students feel comfortable talking about all possible matters. I would like to organise several social events where students can get to know each other better while doing fun things together.
Two female student representatives reflect female empowerment. What are your personal experiences as female scientists? What do you think has already been accomplished and what challenges do you still see?
Ainara: Although a lot of progress has been made, it is still uncommon to find women in leading positions in academic research. I consider myself very privileged because of all the chances that I have had so far, but I see that in many areas, men and women do not have the same opportunities. For me, having women in science and research, especially in leading positions, is an expression of women empowerment.
Alexandra: Despite progress, women in leading academic research positions are still rare. The representation of women can vary greatly depending on the field and country; for instance, there tend to be more female students at the PhD level, but this number dwindles significantly at the post-doc and PI levels, indicating unequal opportunities.
As a female scientist, I've benefited from support networks and mentorship but have also faced gender bias. While there are more women in science now, challenges like gender bias, unequal advancement opportunities, and work-life balance remain. Additionally, the scientific community must strive for balance to ensure that efforts to support women do not lead to the underrepresentation of men. More efforts are needed to create an environment where both women and men can excel and lead in research.
What do you like to do when you are not in the lab or thinking about science and the IMPRS-CBP?
Alexandra: I am very passionate about painting, crocheting, and sewing. I find it amazing to create something with my hands, and it's incredibly relaxing. I also love reading science fiction and dystopian books. It's important to have activities that provide a break from work to prevent burnout and maintain mental health.
Ainara: I love to play the guitar and the bass in my free time, and I also enjoy a lot listening to music. I also love reading, especially books related to philosophy.
