Erika Keil receives Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship

Starting from next year, she will work as a postdoctoal researcher at Charles University in Prague. 

Congratulations, Erika! Our latest IMPRS-APS graduate has received the Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Starting from next year, she will be working as a postdoctoral researcher in the group of Prof. Pavel Malý at Charles University in Prague.

The topic of her work at the Faculty of Mathematics and Optics will be the spectroscopy of photosynthetic light-harvesting complexes, with a focus on the role of solvent effects. Photosynthesis is initiated by absorption of light, followed by extremely fast energy transfer and dissipation. This can lead to significant heating of the local environment - but the influence of this process on the primary steps of photosynthetic energy transfer has not yet been estimated. 

During her postdoctoral stay, Erika will work on gaining a fundamental understanding of the local heating process in the context of photosynthetic light harvesting. This may lead to the development of new strategies for the design of systems that harness thermal energy to drive uphill energy transfer.

We wish Erika all the best and a wonderful time in Prague!