Speaker
Description
After completing my degree in medical biophysics at RPTU Kaiserslautern, I joined LAHA – Laser Hearing Aids, a research transfer project with the goal of developing a laser-based hearing aid and founding a startup.
In my talk, I will share what it is like to work at the intersection of fundamental research and company building and how a biophysics degree prepares you for some of it – and leaves you to figure out the rest.
In my first year, I ran simulations and conducted lab experiments to prepare for our first-in-human study, a study in which we demonstrated that humans can indeed hear light, thanks to the optoacoustic effect. Following this milestone, I presented our results at scientific conferences and co-authored a publication.
In my second year, securing funding became the priority. I joined the investor-finding team, gained hands-on experience in startup financing, and began pitching at investor events alongside scientific conferences.
Beyond the science and business side, I will also reflect on what it means to start a family while working in a project with startup-like structures, a reality shared by several members of our team.
