An espresso with... Dr. Aljoscha Flohr
Dr Aljoscha Flohr was born in Bremen and studied biology at the University of Bremen from 1993 to 1998. After receiving his doctorate in Bremen 2004, he worked for the healthcare company Sanofi-Aventis. He now works as an innovation manager at the pharmaceutical company Roche in the field of diagnostics. Despite the change of location, the city and the University of Bremen still mean a lot to him.
Why did you study at the University of Bremen?
Yes, I can answer that quite simply. At the time, I wanted to stay in Bremen for personal reasons. In addition, there was the opportunity to study biology, which was still a diploma programme, and that suited me.
Were your expectations of the university fulfilled?
Yes, definitely. Overall, I also found the so-called project study programme special. It was a kind of small diploma thesis where you did experiments in a group in the lab and had to summarise them. It was very good preparation for the dissertation. I did it at the Centre for Human Genetics. Another thing worth mentioning is the Project Novel-Food, which was a hot topic at the time in terms of novel food. I found it particularly interesting that they also looked at topics outside the box.
What significance did your studies in Bremen have for your career path and later work?
It was crucial. I did my doctorate at the University of Bremen at the centre for human genetics and gained insights into molecular pathology – research wise I last did this for my PhD thesis. Also in collaboration with clinics in Bremen. And those were the perfect grounds and preparation for starting my post-doc in the industry in 2004 at the company Sanofi-Aventis in Frankfurt am Main.
What was the most formative aspect of your time at the University of Bremen?
The courses at the Centre for Human Genetics and the project studies. I also visited the pathology department of the Klinikum Bremen Nord, which was made possible by a collaboration with the university.
What do you still associate with the University and the city of Bremen today?
I would like to have more contact with the university, it is truly a matter of the heart. Especially the scientific research, perhaps gaining some insight into that again. It’s a shame there is no medical faculty as that provides a few obstacles for a connection through work. That’s where I wish the University of Bremen and the research facility success for the future.
And the city of Bremen is also absolutely a matter of the heart for me, my home and, yeah, a very beautiful city. Alas, Bremen also must master a few challenges and here as well, I wish them all the best for the near future.
What advice would you give to today's students?
A careful choice of profession, because you don’t do it for only one or two years. Maybe also to consider the current challenging times and topics of sustainability. I think that has absolutely changed compared to my years of study, because climate change has become truly drastic. The times have unfortunately changed and in my opinion, they have become more challenging. That’s why maybe to choose a profession that promotes sustainability.
If you have any questions or would like to contact Dr. Aljoscha Michael Flohr, he would greatly appreciate it. He is available via aflohrprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de.