Today we are delighted to announce the successful completion of two doctoral theses.
Jan Gebauer has successfully defended his doctoral thesis in the Secondary Metabolism Enzymology working group at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry.
In his thesis entitled ‘Flavin-dependent halogenases for the derivatisation of natural products,’ he provides important insights into the targeted modification of natural products, which is particularly important for the development of new active substances. After an intensive research phase, Jan joined RWTH Aachen University and the DWI in Aachen as a research assistant to deepen and share his knowledge.
The doctoral thesis was written as part of the BioSC Focuslab CombiCom, which promotes interdisciplinary collaboration. Jan distinguished himself through his commitment as a networker, initiated collaborations and contributed significantly to innovative research approaches. Colleagues and students appreciated him as a reliable contact who provided constructive feedback on scientific questions and had a positive influence on the team atmosphere.
Beyond his own research, he was committed to promoting the institute's public image, for example by giving guided tours, and inspired numerous guests with his enthusiasm for bioorganic chemistry. In his teaching, he also conveyed complex topics to students in a clear and motivating manner and supervised final theses with great dedication.
In the afternoon, Julia Hindges, née Bramski, took her doctoral examination, which she also passed with flying colours. During her research phase at IBOC, she worked on 2-deoxy-D-ribose-5-phosphate aldolase (DERA), which has since become established in the research group, and wrote her dissertation on this topic entitled ‘Optimising the investigation of acetaldehyde-dependent aldolases and their application in organic synthesis’. Among other things, she investigated the stability of the enzyme towards acetaldehyde and the reaction control between mono- and dialdol products. Her valuable work has resulted in six publications to date.
Even outside of her research, her positive and friendly nature always made her an asset to the entire institute. After her time in the laboratory, Julia began training as a patent attorney, which she successfully completed in 2024. Since the beginning of the year, she has been putting her skills to good use at the patent law firm HOFFMANN EITLE.
The entire institute congratulates Jan Gebauer and Julia Hindges on the successful completion of their doctorates and thanks them both for their great commitment. We wish them all the best for the future.
