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Q&A Series: 10 (Beyond) Science Facts
Interview with Dr. Selina Olthof
Published on in NEWS
It’s not always about science – today we are publishing the second interview from our Q&A series “10 (Beyond) Science Facts.” Do you think that our researchers have always been pursuing the career path of a scientist? Are you sure that you know your group leader well? Would you like to get helpful career advice from someone with a great deal of experience?
With the second Q&A episode, we would like to introduce our Guest Professor, Dr. Selina Olthof to you. Enjoy reading!
- Pretend you are the Federal Minister of Research: What would your first action be?
Quit the job and find a better suited (more patient) person. - What was your most surprising research discovery so far?
I cannot remember ever being surprised, I guess I’m open to any outcome. Usually I’m either thrilled or frustrated, one of the two. - What makes a perfect day at work for you?
No meetings, no proposal writing - just me in the lab. - How do you spend a lazy Sunday afternoon?
Cleaning my two shrimp tanks while listening to podcasts. - What did you want to be when you grew up?
I think I wanted to open up a pony farm with my best friend. - Do you have any role model?
Richard Feynman. When I realized that one of the most brilliant physicists who ever lived also had a great sense of humor it convinced me that it is ok to study physics. - What was the best career advice you've been given?
To study physics (given by my English teacher who also gave me the book on Feynman). - What is on top of your bucket list?
Probably sky diving. Even though I will likely never do it unless someone forces me to. - List three things only few people know about you.
I am half-Dutch, allergic to chocolate, and I talk to myself a lotI - What's next?
I never know.
About Dr. Selina Olthof
Dr. Selina Olthof is a Visiting Professor at the cfaed. Starting 1st of January 2018, she joined the research team of the Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) within the framework of TUD's Eleonore Trefftz Programme for Visiting Women Professors. Dr. Olthof involves in the materials-inspired Paths of the Cluster, mainly Carbon and Organic/Polymer. Moreover, she will be involved in teaching and supervision activities. Her research interest is centered around novel semiconducting materials, based on organic molecules as well as hybrid perovskites.
Bio
Dr. Selina Olthof obtained a M.Sc. in Physics in 2006 at the University of Stuttgart followed by a Ph.D. on the topic of organic semiconductors under Prof. Karl Leo’s supervision from TU Dresden in 2010. After that, she went to Princeton University (USA) for two years, where she worked as a postdoc at the Department of Electrical Engineering with Prof. Antoine Kahn . Since 2012, she has been a Junior researcher (Habilitand) at the Institute for Physical Chemistry in the group of Prof. Klaus Meerholz. Read more about Dr. Selina Olthof.
Eleonore Trefftz Programme for Visiting Women Professors
The Eleonore Trefftz Programme for Visiting Women Professors allows women professors to visit faculties for one or two semesters and to represent independently their subject in the fields of teaching and research.
The Programme is funded by TUD's Institutional Strategy in the framework of the Excellence Initiative by the German Federal and State Governments. More details.