On October 11-12, Boston University (BU) welcomed a delegation from TU Dortmund University for a two-day workshop and reception to kick off the new BU-TU Dortmund Research Network. This initiative is designed to foster collaboration in key research areas such as membrane biological chemistry, high-energy theory, and quantum condensed matter physics.

The event began with a reception at BU’s Kenmore Room, attended by Dr. Sonja Kreibich, Consul General of Germany to the New England States. Senior BU leaders, including Senior Vice President Ken Olliff, Associate Dean Sean Mullen, and CAS Research Director Kathleen Shannon, also joined the gathering. Sponsored by BU’s Office of the Vice President for Research, the reception provided an opportunity to discuss shared goals and the exciting potential of this transatlantic partnership.

Leading the delegation from TU Dortmund was Professor Matthias Schneider, who spoke about the importance of collaboration in tackling complex scientific challenges and advancing research across disciplines.

The workshop featured presentations from prominent researchers at both universities, including:

Professor Michelle Sander (BU, Electrical and Computer Engineering)

Professor Jan Kierfeld (TU, Physics)

Professor Herre Jelger Risselada (TU, Physics)

Professor Joerg Debus (TU, Physics)

Professor Masha Kamenetska (BU, Chemistry/Physics)

Professor Bjoern Reinhard (BU, Chemistry/Physics)

Professor John Straub (BU, Chemistry)

 

In addition to faculty presentations, early-career researchers also played a key role.

TU Dortmund students Annabelle Sömer, Anna M. Mendel, and Michael Gutnikov shared their work and collaborated with BU researchers, including Dr. Panagis Samolis, a postdoctoral fellow in the Sander lab, and Nick Russo, a BU Physics graduate student in Professor Kevin Smith’s lab.

The BU-TU Dortmund Research Network marks an exciting new chapter in international collaboration for both universities. By combining expertise and resources, BU and TU Dortmund aim to make significant contributions to fields like membrane biological chemistry, quantum physics, and high-energy theory.

Events like this don’t happen without a lot of support behind the scenes. Thanks go to BU’s Physics staff, including Robyn Kinch, Grace Lillibridge, Christina Crabtree, and Mitch, as well as Rose Deshon, Carolina Gonzalez-Aller Winslow, and Sarah Flanagan from BU’s Office of the Provost, for ensuring the event ran smoothly as well DFG and UA Ruhr.  

The BU-TU Dortmund Research Network is just the beginning, and we’re excited to see how this collaboration grows in the years to come.