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Anita studies at Northeastern University and is set to graduate in December 2023 with a BS in International Business with a concentration in Supply Chain Management, but she has spent most of 2023 in Berlin working at the EMEA headquarters of the 3D printing startup Formlabs and previously spent a semester at ESB Reutlingen in Baden-Württemberg. After first working in conference logistics in the 2022 edition, Anita is excited to return to the GAC as Co-Chair and to further promote the importance of the transatlantic relationship and the strong friendship between Germany and the United States. Outside of her studies and involvement in the conference, Anita enjoys skiing, traveling, and playing trivia.
Kai is an incoming PhD student in the Organizational Behavior department at Harvard Business School in Boston. In his research, he cooperates with international organizations to learn more about why employees (don't) have a passion for their work. His enthusiasm for science is mirrored in his psychology podcast "Positiv Korreliert." Kai loves to go to Harvard sports events for the free merchandise, and he regularly, but unsuccessfully, attempts yoga and comedy improv.
Liudmyla is a student in Master in Public Administration program and McCloy Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. In her studies she focuses on the topics related to the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. Prior to HKS, Liudmyla worked in management consulting in Germany specializing on banking sector and specifically on strategy and risk topics. She holds M.Sc. in International Economics and Economic Policy from Goethe University Frankfurt and two bachelor’s degrees – in Economics from University of Goettingen and in Philology from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla-Academy.
Peter is a student at Harvard College and the Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences obtaining his dual AM/AB degrees in German Literature and Economics. After completing a year of high school in North Rhine-Westphalia, German studies have become the cornerstone of his academic and extracurricular endeavors. On campus, Peter is involved with Effective Altruism, the German Club, the Arts and Crafts Club, and the Political Union. A proud New Jerseyan, Peter is an avid skier and lover of fantasy. He has been a member of the GAC team since 2022.
Sebastian is pursuing a Master in Public Administration in International Development at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Before coming to HKS, Sebastian was a Project Leader at the social impact consultancy Value for Good in Berlin, where he worked on projects related to global health and digital innovation in development. At Harvard Kennedy School, Sebastian tries to understand how public-private partnerships (PPPs) and impact-based financing approaches can support climate action the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Growing up playing the piano and the saxophone, he enjoys many types of music. During his time in Berlin, he discovered a new passion for electronic music and the art of sampling – something that he is now spreading in the Cambridge community.
Sebastian is a PhD Candidate in Biological and Biomedical Sciences and in the Therapeutic Graduate Program within the Harvard Division of Medical Sciences. His research focus in the HMS Department of Genetics is to study how evolution shapes the development of normal tissues and tumors. In particular, Sebastian wants to explore how these fundamental insights gained might translate to superior approaches for the early detection of cancer. Having previously organized the GACs in 2022 and 2019, Sebastian is fully committed to making this year's conference an unforgettable experience! On the weekend, you might find him exploring his favorite cannoli spots in Boston’s North End.
Emilia is a graduate student at the Hertie School in Berlin and will spend her semester abroad in the fall of 2023 at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC.
Following her curiosity for technology and security, Emilia is currently working at the German Federal Ministry of Defence on cybersecurity policy. Prior to this, she worked as a Threat Intelligence Researcher at a German cybersecurity organization. She has also worked at the German Council of Foreign Relations, the German Parliament, and Samsung, sparking her interest in European and international cybersecurity policy. In addition to politics and tech, Emilia is passionate about CrossFit, art, and food.
Henrike is a neuroscience master student from Heidelberg. Currently, she is writing her thesis at McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Her primary research interest is neurodegeneration and how metabolic processes affect the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease. Outside of the lab, Henrike is actively engaged in the NGO Lern-Fair which promotes equal educational chances. In her free time, she enjoys running around fresh pond and exploring all the things that Boston has to offer.
Linda is a Master in International Affairs candidate at the Hertie School and GW Elliott School with a specialization in International security. Besides her studies, Linda has previously supported the Aspen Institute Germany, where she was part of the digital program and transatlantic dialogue and worked at BCG’s public sector practice. Linda is currently spending her Professional Year at PUBLIC, where she explores the intersection between governments and technology before returning back to her studies. Being a GovTech enthusiast, Linda co-founded the Hertie School Tech Society, which seeks to facilitate the dialogue between the technology industry and the public sector.
Lukas is a medical student and doctoral candidate at Heidelberg University. Having also completed a bachelors degree in finance, he strives to combine medical knowledge and financial analysis to improve population health. Lukas currently pursues a year-long lab rotation at the Johns Hopkins University, researching about the costs and health benefits of different strategies to control Tuberculosis. In his free time, he loves going for a run, skiing, and engaging in culinary adventures.
Marlene is a medical student from Heidelberg University and currently she is doing research at Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School for her medical doctoral thesis. Her work aims at finding a treatment for a rare hereditary neurological disease that affects children form an early age.
In her free time Marlene enjoys exploring the museums, talks, concerts and other events that Boston offers and she loves collecting the free merch at Harvard sports events. Moreover, she is passionate about science communication, loves exercising outdoors and meeting new people like the inspiring organizational team of the German American Conference.
Merle is an MD Candidate at Harvard Medical School researching the regeneration of Peripheral Nerve. Originally a Medical Student from Göttingen, Germany, she spends one year in Boston for her project and is excited to join the GAC Organizing Committee for the first time. In her free time, you will most probably find her making music, discussing current political issues, or sailing on the Charles River.
Niklas Alexander Krakau is an MPA student at the Harvard Kennedy School. Prior to Harvard, he worked as Senior Consultant for McKinsey & Company advising private, social sector and government organizations focusing on the topics of digitization, economic development, and renewable energy. At Harvard, he concentrates on impact investing topics. He previously worked in private equity (Waterland Private Equity), tech (Google), and international development (KfW - the German Development Bank). He received a B.Sc. in International Business Administration from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management and an M.Sc. in Development Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Paul is working as a research associate at Charité – Berlin University of Medicine. Prior to this, he studied dentistry at the University of Hamburg. His previous research focused on experimental molecular biology. In his free time, he enjoys running and skiing.
Richard is a research scholar at the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a psychology master's student at the Catholic University Eichstätt - Ingolstadt in Germany. His research is centered around exploring the biological impacts of traumatic experiences on intergenerational health outcomes.
Outside of academia, Richard is an avid choir singer and church congregation builder. He also loves hiking mountain ranges.
Thilo Kerkhoff will be pursuing a Master in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. Thilo is a fully qualified German lawyer and serves as Head of Digital Strategy and Communications at the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna. In addition, he has diverse work experience in international law firms, strategy consulting, the German Federal Chancellery and non-governmental organizations. Thilo has studied law at Bucerius Law School and at the National University of Singapore.
Addie Esposito is a junior at Harvard College from Raleigh, North Carolina. Particularly interested in refugee issues and democratic backsliding, she is studying Government, German, and European History, Politics, and Societies (EHPS). At Harvard, Addie is involved with the Harvard International Review, the Harvard Undergraduate Foreign Policy Initiative, and Citizenship Tutoring through the Institute of Politics. In her free time, Addie enjoys writing poetry, hiking, walking her dog (Coco), listening to Michael Jackson, and collecting snow globes. Meeting Angela Merkel in person is on her bucket list.
Andreas is a fourth-year Ph.D. Candidate in Engineering-Economic Systems at the CS and AI Laboratory and the College of Computing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He studies algorithmic accountability in economic contexts, by combining real-world data with economic theory and computation to improve how algorithms interact with their users. He has previously worked at the European Commission and the German national parliament, and will work for the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in the summer 2023.
With a background in Computer Science and Technology Management, Chris has a keen interest in the intersection of technology and society. He has studied in Munich and Singapore, and has done applied cryptography research at the University of Cambridge and currently at UC Berkeley. He loves to learn from different cultures and perspectives, and is committed to improving access to education for everyone. When he is not working on his research projects, he likes to challenge himself with endurance sports and enrich his mind with literature.
Christian Kibby is a final year student within his Bachelor of Science in Social Media Systems at the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen. Currently he is pursuing an internship at the Commerzbank, before finishing his undergraduate degree this winter. During his semester abroad at UMass Boston he participated at the GAC in 2022. Because he appreciated it altogether, he wanted to help organize the conference this year. In his free time he loves riding his bike whenever he can, or he goes out with friends to do sports.
Daniel is an MD student from Erlangen with a special interest in neurology and immunology. To delve deeper into experimental research, he joined one of the neuroimmunology labs at Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston. There, his work mainly focuses on how the microbiome shapes the immune response during neuroinflammatory diseases, especially multiple sclerosis. If not at the lab bench, Daniel likes to start cooking experiments at home, join the uncountable number of runners on Charles Esplanade, or play & listen to Jazz and Classical Music.
Danil is a second year medical student at the Ludwig Maximilians University and the Technical University in Munich. Besides his studies he currently works for the German Human Organ Transplantation Foundation, where he coordinates human organ transplantations in Bavaria. In his free time, he enjoys going climbing, hiking or skiing in the nearby mountains. Moreover, you will also find him on the field hockey and tennis court from time to time.
Dimitrij is passionate about digital politics and entrepreneurship with an international relations and technology background. He has studied management, economics, politics and North American studies in Berlin, Paris and California. Having worked in research, public service and technology he has helped growing American startups in Europe. He volunteers for transatlantic organizations and mentors young entrepreneurs. Dimitrij loves art, music and sports so he is keen to visit a gallery and cheer for the Golden State Warriors.
Doreen studied chemistry and biochemistry at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich and did the research for her Master thesis at the Chemistry Department at Harvard. In her PhD, Doreen focuses on medicinal chemistry, investigating biomimetic iron(IV)-oxido complexes as functional models for iron(II)/alpha-ketoglutarate dependent enzymes. She is a long-term honorary member of several animal welfare organizations, and in her free time she like to do krav maga, kickboxing and standard dancing.
Enrica is a fifth-year medical student at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, Germany. She joined the Goessling Lab at Harvard Medical School in March 2023 to write her medical dissertation and pursue her passion for hepatology research and finding novel treatment approaches for chronic liver disease. After completing her medical degree, she wants to specialize in gastroenterology and hepatology. In her free time, Enrica enjoys reading, hiking, judo, watching U.S. late-night television shows and exploring new cities.
Felix Spiekerkoetter has a background in philosophy, economics, and international relations. Earning his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy & Economics from the University of Bayreuth and currently pursuing his Master of Arts in International Relations at Johns Hopkins SAIS. Felix has gained valuable experience through internships with Tesla, as well as the Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the OSCE, and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. As Chairman of the Student Association Philosophy & Economics, he managed the needs of 800 students and alumni. His interests include medicine, energy, development economics, politics, astrophysics as well as cycling and tennis.
A young mom who is passionate about voluntary commitment for good causes. She loves networking all over the planet, participate in contests and is a part time teacher. As the only woman in the mechanical engineering master's program, she tends to be underestimated. As a 6-time scholarship recipient, she is one of the top students in her class and dreams of one day flying to Mars.
Janna is a passionate and committed Medical Student and PhD Candidate in the field of translational oncology at the University of Duisburg-Essen. She was a research fellow in plastic surgery and transplantation immunology at the Massachusetts General Hospital/HMS. Janna has been fortunate to receive recognition as a stipendiary of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation, which has further motivated her dedication to academic excellence. Janna’s academic pursuits have led her to explore diverse subjects such as law and romance languages. As a volunteer for the non-profit student exchange organization Youth for Understanding, she is committed to promoting tolerance and intercultural understanding.
Jurek is a first-year physics student at the University of Bonn, fascinated by the potential of human spaceflight and artificial intelligence. He finds great satisfaction in collaborating with his peers to tackle challenging scientific problems, and enjoys learning from a diverse range of topics and individuals. Jurek has always enjoyed engaging in dynamic conversations with people from various backgrounds and is thrilled to continue doing so on a transatlantic level. In his free time, he organizes children summer camps, meets with friends or goes out dancing for a night.
Karlotta is an active duty officer in the German Armed Forces. She holds a degree in psychology with a focus on Leadership, Human Resources, and Social Psychology from the German Armed Forces University in Hamburg. With her passion for security policy and interest in institutional communication strategies she works on applying her knowledge of psychology to these fields. Currently, she holds a position at the multinational headquarter Eurocorps, serving both NATO and EU alongside comrades from all over Europe. Outside of work, she engages in WIIS, enjoys learning new languages and works on a voluntary project on resilience.
Lars is doing his Master's in Public Policy School at the Hertie School in Berlin. In the fall semester of 2023, he will study at the American University School of Public Affairs in Washington, D.C. In Berlin, Lars worked for the SME association of a German political party.
Before moving into politics, he studied business administration at the University of Mannheim and City University in Hong Kong and gained experience in various internships at a business association in Brussels, a strategy consultancy in Frankfurt, and the policy office of a German bank. Besides politics, Lars enjoys travelling, reading books and going to the theatre.
Until she starts her Master's in Innovation Strategy and Organization at the University of Cambridge in October, Lea is currently doing a research internship at Harvard Business School in Organizational Behavior. Besides that, she co-edits a self-written and -filmed screenplay, religiously watches the ZDF heute-show, and enjoys long walks (or very rare jogs) while listening to podcasts or audiobooks.
Marie is a first-year Phd student at the Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research, trying to discover novel drugs that can increase human health- and lifespan and investigating how these compounds can be influenced by the gut microbiome.
Prior to her Phd she obtained a M.Sc. in Molecular Biotechnology at Heidelberg University and was a visiting student at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Other than science she is passionate about traveling, healthy cooking and ballet.
Marlies is a young professional with a German - American background who is passionate about transatlantic relations and U.S. foreign policy. After graduating from the Freie Universität Berlin in political science, she led the Leadership Program at Aspen Institute Berlin. Marlies recently moved back to the United States where she is currently serving as the Program and Communications Officer at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Washington, DC. She likes to spend her free time boxing and is semi-successfully learning to salsa.
Michael is a tech strategist and product manager with an entrepreneurial mindset and a deep understanding of technological disruption. He holds an M.Sc. from Stanford ('10) and completed Harvard Executive Education in Innovation Management ('20). He specializes in SaaS software and IoT and emphasizes a technologically grounded strategy, customer empathy, and a “rumble and hustle” approach to building new things.
Moritz pursues a Master of Public Policy at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. with a focus on environmental and foreign policy. With various transatlantic experiences, such as the CBYX program, a climate fellowship in the American Midwest, or an internship at the United Nations in New York, he developed passions for the transatlantic partnership, climate change mitigation, and diplomacy. Previously, he studied International Relations in Dresden. Moritz considers himself a musical theater enthusiast, loves to go for runs, and hopes to advance his foreign language proficiencies.
Niklas Engel is a Master's student in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics at Ruprecht-Karls University in Heidelberg. His research focus is on precision oncology and computational genomics, with the goal of improving cancer therapies for patients. He is currently contributing to this field as a research fellow at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Niklas is also interested in business and uses his expertise in the biotech and healthcare industry to help clients succeed in his role at Bain & Company. In his free time, Niklas enjoys ballroom dancing and playing the alto-saxophone.
Meet Nikolai! He's currently living the dream in Boston as a visiting student in anesthesia and also happens to be part of the digital logistic team. While Nikolai might not be the most technologically savvy person on the team, he tries to make up for it by binge-watching "Mr. Robot". In his free time, he likes to run, hike, go by bike, and visit museums, mostly because he knows that medical students aren't allowed to have fun, and he's determined to break that stereotype. While he's a little nervous about being part of the conference planning team, Nikolai is excited to put his skills to use and help make the event a success!
Oscar is a graduate student at the Yale School of Management in New Haven. In his master’s, he is researching the role that businesses play (and should play) in society. Oscar’s has an academic background in philosophy and holds master’s degree in management from HEC Paris. Prior to his master’s studies, Oscar worked at McKinsey & Company where he served clients in the healthcare sector. In his free time, Oscar plays both American and European Football and likes to enjoy a good German beer every once in a while.
Paula is 22 years old and lives near Cologne in Germany. This summer she graduated from Maastricht University with a bachelor's degree in international business. Prior to joining the GAC 2023 team, she was involved in two associations at her university, organizing a large sports and recruitment event and promoting future female leaders. In her free time, she enjoys playing the Dutch sport "Korfball" and doing yoga.
Quirin Blomberg is a MPA student at HKS and a McCloy fellow. Prior to Harvard, he worked for the Federal Ministry of Finance in Germany. He was involved in legislation for corporate governance reform, negotiations of the European Council on financial market policy, and prepared several COVID-19 economic relief measures for German households and corporations. Quirin holds a MSc in Economics from LSE and a BA in Philosophy and Economics from the University of Göttingen, Germany. He can often be found in the mountains on skis, wheels or just his feet - but certainly jodeling.
René is a news journalist with a special interest in sustainable innovation in the media industry as well as strategies to combat fake news. In the past, he has reported on the impact of climate change in India, portrayed a young American Jewish woman in Jerusalem on Israel's 70th anniversary, and talked to Jordanian plumbers about the women's rights movement in Amman. His studies have taken him to Münster, Pristina, Hamburg and Boston. He is the leader of the Global Shapers Hamburg Hub and fellow of Think Tank 30, the young think tank of the Club of Rome Germany.
Salma is a fourth year medical student at the University of Würzburg in Germany. She also studies Masters of Translational Medicine in Würzburg. Alongside her clinical career, Salma is fascinated by research and wet lab work and aims to pursue a career as a clinician-scientist. She is currently completing her MD thesis as a postgraduate researcher at the Yale School of Medicine. She particularly enjoys intercultural exchange, traveling and meeting different people from different backgrounds. In her free time, she enjoys reading, meeting friends and deep conversations.
Sara is currently a postgraduate research fellow at the Yale School of Medicine working on her MD thesis for one year in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging. She is also a fourth year medical student at the Charite University of Medicine in Berlin, Germany and will continue her medical studies upon finishing her thesis at Yale. She is passionate about cancer research and aspires to work in this field as a future clinician and researcher. In her free time, Sara especially enjoys jogging and hiking with her friends.
Sina is a German medical student who attended the German American conference 2022 while conducting research at Harvard Medical School. Inspired by the event, she is enthusiastic about being an organizer for this year's conference!
Sophie is a fourth-year medical student at Heidelberg University, Germany, with a passion for neurology. Starting in August, she will pursue her doctoral thesis at the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Boston. Besides her love for science, Sophie is enthusiastic about sports, music, and politics. She is particular passionate about empowering other young people to get involved in politics. Being a member of a top-level German field hockey team and she is also interested in understanding successful team dynamics and leadership.
It's is ALL about deepening relationships in our community. Making strategic connections and the ability to envision how they relate to the big picture is my superpower! Let's connect in a meaningful way!
Til is a fourth-year medical student and a master’s student in experimental medicine at the University of Münster. He is currently working on his MD thesis at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Before coming to Boston, he completed research stays at the University of Cambridge and the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, as well as an internship at the German Parliament. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outside with friends, playing soccer, or going for a run.
Wendelin is currently a graduate student in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. After his 2022 research stay at the Energy Production and Infrastructure Center in Charlotte, NC, he joined the GAC team to contribute to the transatlantic dialogue. Specializing in Control Engineering, he is particularly interested in how humans act within complex systems and what impact technology has on our society. When he is not hitting the books, Wendelin can be found on a bike exploring the great outdoors or making new friends at a local concert or jam session.
Alex is a third-year economics student at the University of St. Gallen. Currently, he is a Visiting Undergraduate Student at Harvard College. Last semester he studied abroad at the Universidad Torcuato Di Tella in Buenos Aires. In his free time, he enjoys running and skiing.
Alex is a fifth-year medical student at Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, Germany. As a visiting graduate student at Massachusetts General Hospital, he is part of a research group that investigates how minimally invasive procedures can improve the management of patients with lung tumors. He is interested in international politics and the German-American relationship and has been part of the GAC team since 2022. In his free time, he can be found running along the Charles River or exploring Boston's museums and sports events.
Antonia Baskakov works on feminist development policy at the ONE Campaign, an international NGO fighting extreme poverty. Prior to joining ONE, she was the Strategic Advisor to the Executive Director of the Center for Feminist Foreign Policy where she managed projects on transatlantic relations, peace and security, and feminist international law. She has worked in a variety of human rights-related fields, including legal research at Berkeley Law School and Stanford Law School for Professor Dr. Beth Van Schaack, the current U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice. She also serves as the Development Director at [gather], a non-profit focused on women's leadership, a Europe Youth Envoy for the United Nations ITU, and a regular contributor to different news outlets writing about foreign-, security-, development-, and digital policy from a feminist perspective. This fall, she will begin her graduate studies at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Antonia Schach is a German master’s student in Molecular Biotechnology at Heidelberg University with a keen interest in cancer research. That’s why she decided to come to Boston for a research internship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she is currently studying Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Outside the lab, Antonia enjoys staying active through running or bouldering, and is always up for camping or hiking trips. With a genuine passion for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds, she looks forward to networking and engaging at the upcoming GAC 2023.
Bendix is currently a third year medical student at Heidelberg University and is a scholar of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation. He is working as a research assistant at the German Cancer Research Center and has interned in his gap year in the laboratory of nobel laureate Ada Yonath. Before university, Bendix was a junior athlete: he won the German Championships in sailing twice and participated in the world championships.
He is part of WEF Global Shapers Community and volunteers for several student organisations in Heidelberg, including Heidelberger Kreis where he has co-organized several keynotes by high-profile speakers. He is eager to bring the most interesting speakers for this year's GAC onto the stage.
Benedikt is a third-year Humanities student at Sciences Po Paris and currently on exchange at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Originally from Stuttgart, he has developed a great interest in Central and Eastern Europe through experiences abroad in Poland and Bulgaria. Starting this fall, he therefore plans to pursue a graduate degree specializing on this region. Apart from his studies, Benedikt is also very interested in discovering new cultures, trying food from all over the world, and meeting new people.
Caroline is a second year student studying Business and Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University in Germany. In her further studies, she wants to focus on aerospace engineering. Alongside her studies, she enjoys volunteering in multiple organizations like Verband Deutscher Wirtschaftingenieure, European Young Engineers, and the European Youth Parliament. She is also interested in leadership, learning new languages, and discussing international politics, and she uses every chance she can get to deepen her knowledge in those areas.
Cooper is originally from Bozeman, Montana and now studies Mechanical Engineering and Germanic languages at Harvard, with hopes of working for a ski lift manufacturer in the future. She is interested in a wide range of activities from Golf to Skiing to Photography. Outside of school she participates in foreign policy research and is always eager to engage in discussions about national security issues around the world!
Debbie is an MD-PhD student at Harvard Medical School/MIT and is currently pursuing her PhD in the Senseable Intelligence Group at the McGovern Institute for Brain Science at MIT. Here, she works at the intersection of brain imaging and genomics with a particular focus on applications to psychiatry. She is also very involved in mentoring undergraduate students as a Resident Tutor and Women in STEM mentor at Harvard College. In her free time, she loves to walk her poodle, Mochi, cook vegetarian meals, and is currently learning Spanish!
Denys is a second-year PhD student in Population Health Sciences (Epidemiology) at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, a Research Associate at the Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and a Research Trainee in the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics at Mass General Brigham. Prior to that, he studied medicine at the University of Münster and the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin with a scholarship from the German Academic Scholarship Foundation. His research interest lies in perioperative medicine and onco-pharmacoepidemiology. He joined the GAC family in 2018.
Hüveyda studied law at the Free University of Berlin on a scholarship awarded by the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (German Academic Foundation). She completed legal clerkships in Berlin and New York and has also worked in various international law firms. Hüveyda is currently a PhD student and has a full-time scholarship. She is writing her doctoral thesis on legal issues related to Artificial Intelligence. Socially, she is very active in the field of educational justice.
Jakob is a medical student researcher from Heidelberg, Germany in the Department of Pathology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Harvard Medical School. He will be pursuing an exciting project on resistance of brain cancers to therapy and will have a tenure of up to a year in the program which started in March, 2023. Since spending his junior year at the Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, NE he has cherished transatlantic friendships and interest in American culture and politics. The GAC is a unique opportunity to engage and intensify transatlantic relations which he is eager to contribute to.
Jan is a graduate student in the Industrial Engineering and Operations Research department at Columbia University. He previously worked as an investment analyst at the German High-Tech Gründerfonds and as an engineer in the electric vehicle industry. His interests include sustainable mobility, renewable energy, and the future of industrial manufacturing. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the great outdoors, either by mountain bike or on foot.
Jan is currently a Economics Student at the Ludwigs-Maximilians-University in Munich, working in the field of economic research. Born and partially raised in Austria having hiking and skiing as a hobby was a obvious consequence for him, even thought he would prefer a vacation on a tropical island. Jan loves to travel all around the world an learn new languages (ordering food especially), but mostly ends up putting the emphasis on eating as much as possible of the local cuisine.
Jana Sophie, currently in her second semester at WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management in Germany, is studying International Business and Business Psychology. She is also serving as a Board Member for the IdeaLab! WHU Founders Conference 2023. Jana enjoys traveling, learning new languages, and forming connections with people globally. When not engrossed in her studies or traveling, she pursues her passion for acting, participating in theater productions and short films.
Inspired by GAC 2022, she is enthusiastically looking forward to contributing to this year's conference!
Jason Adelhoefer is a final-year medical student enrolled at Charité University Hospital. He has spent research semesters in cardiovascular epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, and in minimally-invasive spine surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York.
Enthusiastic about health policy, he has worked for the governing party in the German Bundestag and volunteered on the board of the German Medical Students’ Association. He is an advocate for achieving long-term financial stability in the German healthcare system. Jason is a scholarship holder of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service, and the Deutschlandstiftung Integration.
Jennifer majored in Business and Economics at Zeppelin University and spent her semester abroad at UC Berkeley. During her studies she focused on research and published a paper examining the influence of Covid-19 on Airbnb hosts. Last July she defended her thesis which answers the question if only young, white, male Stanford students get into Y Combinator and succeed. Since then she has been doing several internships during her gap year and is currently based in Munich, Germany.
Jeremy Martinez is a 4th year student at Harvard Medical School and has been involved in the German American Conference for several years. While in medical school, Jeremy has conducted and published research in the fields of dermatology, epidemiology, and health equity, and he plans to pursue a future career in academic medicine. He has a clinical interest in complex medical dermatology and autoimmune skin diseases and recently earned his Master of Public Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Joachim is a PhD candidate researching machine learning methods for lithium-ion batteries to slow down battery degradation and accelerate innovation. He is jointly supervised at TU Darmstadt and MIT, fostering German-American research collaboration and friendships.
Besides his research, he led and organized the online BatteryDEV hackathon, bringing together almost 100 participants across the globe to write open-source software for analyzing battery data.
Joachim cares deeply about the environment and pressing social and global problems. When he's not in the lab, you can find Joachim outdoors cycling, hiking, or at the beach.
Julika is an open-minded student of international affairs who loves fruitful discussions that challenge her point of view. She is particularly interested in the EU’s external affairs and its role as a global actor, including vis-à-vis the U.S. as well as in gender, peace and security issues. Generally, Julika loves working in international contexts and spending time with friends from all over the world. Besides, you can find her on a hike in Bavaria, where she grew up but also in the Pyrenees, in the Caucasus in Georgia or in the Rockies in Canada.
Kaitlyn is a recent graduate of Virginia Tech, where she studied International Relations, Technical Writing, and Spanish. She is passionate about humanitarian relief and looks forward to pursuing a master’s degree in Foreign Service at Georgetown University this fall. She desires to use her skills and education to advance human flourishing and has loved interning with Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian international relief organization, this summer. Kaitlyn likes to spend her free time with her friends, going for long walks, and listening to music, and she is thrilled to be joining the GAC team as an international development panel coordinator!
Leila Doumi is a PhD candidate in Strategy at Harvard Business School. Her research focuses on technology adoption, corporate strategy, and the future of work with a focus on how corporations can develop and execute their strategies to become more digital and implement new technologies.
Prior to joining HBS, Leila earned her BA and MA in Sociology from the University of Mannheim, Germany. During her studies, she worked as a research and teaching assistant for the University of Mannheim as well as for the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She also worked for the Daimler Group (currently Daimler Trucks), where she was part of the inhouse consulting team focused on organizational development and later joined the Strategy and Governance Unit of the Digitization Department.
Leonard is a fifth-year medical student and research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital. Under the mentorship of Dr. Gfrerer and Dr. Austen from the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, he is exploring new methods to sustainably advance the diagnostics and surgical approaches in headache surgery. He is fascinated by providing an effective treatment solution for a persisting public health burden. Therefore, he is also working on a mobile application to broaden the access to headache surgery and enable non-surgical experts to screen headache patients. Leonard enjoys lifting weights and reading poetry. That is why he is always down for gym or Goethe sessions.
Lucas is a student from Heidelberg University, writing his Master’s thesis in the field of systems immunology at the Broad Institute (Boston). He received his B.Sc. in biochemistry from the University of Tuebingen (Germany).
Having experienced the great value of international exchange both during his studies as well as his time abroad, Lucas is excited to be part of the GAC.
In his free time, Lucas enjoys running, other outdoor activities, and the creation of bio-related memes.
Luke is an undergraduate student at Boston University currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Physics, with minors in Mathematics and the German language. Although his current home is Boston, he grew up in Lebanon, Ohio. He has been learning German from the age of twelve and hopes to actively uses it in his professional career someday. In his free time, he enjoys going on walks, reading, and playing the piano. He also has a passion for cooking.
Maria is doing a research fellowship on multiple sclerosis at Harvard Medical School. She is a graduate student from Heidelberg University, where she studied molecular biotechnology. Next year, she will pursue her PhD in Neuroscience at Harvard Medical School. In her free time, Maria enjoys reading, swimming, and going out for dinner with friends.
Mateo is a physics student from the University of Heidelberg and a Visiting Fellow at Harvard’s Rowland Institute. For his bachelor’s thesis, he investigates quantum dots that can be used in solar cells or displays and tries to influence their optical properties. To share his passion for physics, he co-organizes a seminar on "The Toolbox of Theoretical Physics - How Do We Describe the Future?". In his free time, Mateo enjoys hiking, taking photos, reading and mixing gin and tonic long drinks.
Mats is a product manager at WHOOP, a healthtech company focused on using wearable technology to unlock human performance. At WHOOP, he is primarily responsible for leading the product development of new features related to training quantification and coaching. Prior to joining WHOOP, Mats conducted research on digital health, artificial intelligence and innovation at Harvard Business School. In parallel to WHOOP, Mats has competed as a member of the US national rowing team and is also a venture capital fellow at Alumni Ventures. Mats became a US citizen in 2016 and retains dual citizenship of the United States and Germany.
Matthias is from Munich and spent his last 25 years as patent attorney in his law firm Bosch Jehle helping clients with IP matters around the world. Matthias transitioned in 2020 from the profit to the non-profit world and runs now the German chapter of Global Dignity. He is on the board of several charities, and since Jan 2023 a fellow at Harvard‘s Advanced Leadership Initiative. His focus is in Human Rights and supply chain issues. Matthias love sailing and golfing.
Max is a Phd Candidate at the Technical University of Denmark and a Research Fellow at MIT Sloan. Max' research is focused on the governance of deeptech ventures. Feel free to reach out.
My name is Max, I am 23 Years old, from Germany and currently studying Economics and History in Harvard as part of an exchange program from my initial home university, the University of St.Gallen (HSG) in Switzerland.
Maya is a fifth year M.D. candidate from the University of Tübingen in Germany and spent the last year as a postgraduate research fellow at Albert-Einstein-College of Medicine in New York. She conducted quantitative research in the perioperative field and collected extensive experience in clinical trial conduction. Apart from that, Maya is passionate about public and global health and has a strong interest in business and (health) politics.
Niels is a fifth-year medical student at the Technical University of Munich in Germany.
Having spent his sophomore year in high school in the USA, he will greatly appreciate promoting intercultural exchange and to strengthen the transatlantic relationship.
Niels career goal is becoming a competent and contributing physician scientist in the field of Internal medicine. In his spare time, Niels enjoys playing soccer and running. He is part of the organizing team preventive medicine and healthcare panel.
Oscar is a graduate student at the Yale School of Management in New Haven. In his master’s, he is researching the role that businesses play (and should play) in society. Oscar’s has an academic background in philosophy and holds master’s degree in management from HEC Paris. Prior to his master’s studies, Oscar worked at McKinsey & Company where he served clients in the healthcare sector. In his free time, Oscar plays both American and European Football and likes to enjoy a good German beer every once in a while.
Peter Holderrieth is working at the intersection of AI and biology as a Machine Learning Scientist at Cellarity, a biotech startup focusing on cell behavior-targeted drug discovery. Originally trained as a mathematician, Peter completed an MSc in Statistics and an MSc in Neuroscience as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, where he pursued a variety of research projects at the intersection of computation and biomedicine. Outside of work, Peter is a passionate musician and loves to hike and swim.
Rieke is a medical student in her 8th semester in Hamburg and is currently pursuing a PhD in immunology at the Yale School of Medicine. Her project involves working with Alzheimer's disease models to decipher the function of microglia, the immune cells of the brain in this context. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, playing soccer, painting, and traveling.
Samuel is a fourth-year medical student and doctoral candidate at the Klinikum Rechts der Isar in Munich, Germany. In cooperation with the Orgill Lab of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, he is exploring new methods to sustainably improve scar and wound healing. This interest in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery also manifests in his support of the non-profit organization Reconstructing Women International. The aim to put a smile on people's faces (again) is what energizes and motivates him. Samuel enjoys traveling and likes any kind of sport. International soccer matches with locals in Africa and gym sessions with friends in Australia, therefore, rank among his favorite memories.
Samuel is a 5th-year medical student at the TUM University in Munich, Germany. For his doctoral thesis, he conducted research as a data scientist in a large hospital network in New York City. At Montefiore Medical Center, he investigated the improvement of patients' postoperative outcomes and perioperative workflows using large observational data. He is excited about projects that leverage the disruptive power of digitalization and artificial intelligence in healthcare.
As a scholar of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and the Bavarian Elite Academy, he is passionate about ethically shaping the global economy and society of tomorrow.
Stefan is a master's student in Entrepreneurship and Computer Science at Technical University of Munich, and a visiting researcher at MIT and Harvard University. With prior experiences in Management Consulting, technology startups and leading Venture Capital firms, he has developed a well-rounded perspective on business, technology and entrepreneurship. Holding a degree in Industrial Engineering, Stefan strongly believes in the potential of technology and entrepreneurship to drive innovation for the benefit of society.
In his free time, Stefan enjoys sports and trying new dishes with friends. Stefan is interested in soccer, politics, contemporary art, as well as classical and rap music.
Thamina is an incoming senior at Harvard studying Integrative Biology and Psychology. When she is not doing research or mentoring other students at Harvard, she enjoys spending her time outside hiking, trying out new things, and travelling. She is also currently fundraising and training for the NYC marathon in the fall, and is happy for anyone to join her runs.
Thomas is a Ph.D. student at the Hasso Plattner Institute in Potsdam and holds a research affiliation with the MIT Center for Information Systems Research. Before this, he pursued a master’s in business innovation from the University of St Gallen (HSG), supported by a scholarship from the Foundation of German Business (sdw). Thomas is passionate about understanding what it means to drive digital innovation for sustainability by using human-centered design in a corporate context. He loves hiking, swimming, meditating, and visiting soccer games in his spare time!
Tilmann, a 24-year-old individual, hails from Darmstadt, Hessen, near Frankfurt am Main. With several years spent in Berlin, he is currently pursuing a social sciences degree at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Tilmann actively engages in youth work and international cooperation, including a year on the board of the European Youth Parliament Germany. He brings a diverse range of expertise to his academic and community endeavors through his extensive voluntary commitments, professional development, internships, and work experiences in Berlin's political and business landscape. Tilmann has work experience in international corporate consulting and serves as a Back Office Manager for one of Germany's top 20 most active business angels in startup venture capital. In his leisure time, Tilmann finds joy in kitesurfing, bikepacking, and immersing himself in the captivating sounds of house vinyl records.
Meet Tom, a skilled professional who has mastered the art of engineering management and data science. With a rock-solid foundation in these fields, he's not only a whiz in the classroom but also knows how to kick back and enjoy life. When he's not crunching numbers or designing innovative solutions, you'll find him indulging in his private passions: boxing and soccer. These adrenaline-pumping activities fuel his competitive spirit and help him maintain that perfect work-life balance.
Dr. Agrawal is a physician, scientist, and healthcare entrepreneur dedicated to advancing the care for cancer patients. He is President and co-founder of iuvando Health, a Germany-based, innovative digital health and precision oncology company, that enables patients with cancer to find and access life-saving treatments within clinical trials.
Prior, Dr. Agrawal was a research fellow at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard with a focus on blood cancer. Dr. Agrawal studied medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Baltimore), University of Zurich, and Heidelberg University, where he graduated with a doctorate degree. He also obtained a master’s degree in Health Economics from Heidelberg University.
Dr. Agrawal was a scholar of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes). He has been honored with multiple highly prestigious national and international awards both in his role as a physician-scientist and entrepreneur.
Bodo Liesenfeld is Managing Partner of Liesenfeld International GmbH, a private investment enterprise in Hamburg. For nearly 30 years, he was CEO and Chairman of German-based Rohde & Liesenfeld, an international air and sea freight forwarding group with global presence. He is the Honorary Representative of the City of Hamburg to the Northeast of the US and presided the German Latin America Business Association as Chairman from 2006 to 2022.
Since he made his primary home in Boston in mid 2009, maintaining presence in Hamburg, he became a Fellow at Harvard’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute. He also a Member of the Board of the German-American Business Council in Boston who’s President he was 2017 to 2021, a Member of the Steering Committee for Trade and Investment Policy of the Transatlantic Business Council and a Member of the Board of Advisors of the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Needham, MA.
In addition to his several high-level advisory roles, Bodo Liesenfeld is a Founding and Presidium Member of the Council of the German American Conference at Harvard e.V. In this role, he has been supporting the German American Conference for many years.