Between lasers and landscapes
Meet our new doctoral candidate Max Koch!
As a laser physicist working mainly in dark labs, our new doctoral candidate Max Koch likes to keep his balance by spending his free time outdoors.
Max recently joined us from TU Dortmund University to pursue his PhD studies in the group of Prof. Ferenc Krausz, which aims at improving health diagnostics through ultrafast metrology. Get to know Max and his research in this interview.
What’s your main research focus for your PhD?
The amount of information we can gain from spectroscopy always depends on the frequency range available to us. My goal is to increase the usable frequency bandwidth for human blood sampling into the lower THz region, which might increase the medical diagnostic capabilities. This enhancement could make the process faster, more reliable and broaden the region of detectable diseases. (preliminary)
What excites you most about this field?
I am definitely most excited about the possible application of this process. Combined with the other fascinating research here at the Max Planck Society we could, one day, achieve a leap in the diagnostic of cancer, diabetes and other common illnesses for which we would only need a drop of blood.
What and where did you study?
I did my bachelor’s and master’s degree at the TU Dortmund University, where I studied physics, later leaning towards condensed matter physics, ultra-fast optics and THz spectroscopy. There I worked in the group of Prof. Dr. Zhe Wang, who sparked my interest in ultra-fast optics and THz spectroscopy and enabled me to develop my skills in the lab.
What attracted you to the IMPRS-APS program?
Honestly, I stumbled on the program by mere chance as a friend of mine shared a post of IMPRS-APS with me. But once I dug a bit deeper, learned more about the cutting edge research, wonderful ideas and the amazing people behind it, I immediately applied for the program. Seeing all the labs and meeting the brilliant minds that organize the program convinced me fully to dive into the IMPRS-APS.
What skills do you want to develop during your PhD?
Besides working in the lab I really enjoy science communication, talking about new discoveries and conveying recent ideas to other interested people. I hope that I can use this interest of mine to become a good science communicator, while also developing my skills in the lab and research in general.
What is something that you enjoy outside of research?
Being a laser scientist also means to be in dark rooms for most of the time while working. So I like to spend my free time outside either climbing in the mountains, racing around with my bike or caring for my numerous plants. From time to time I also get creative and paint a little bit.
Thanks for the interview - we wish you a great start into your doctoral studies!
