Research Experience Program: The Chair of Public Economics welcomes a student from Hebrew University

As part of the Research Experience Program of the TU Dresden, Ronny Gelman, a student from Hebrew University, visits the Chair of Economics, esp. Public Finance from the beginning of September to mid-October.  Ronny has been studying Mathematics and Economics at the Hebrew University Jerusalem since 2019 in a double major bachelor's degree. At the Chair of Economics, esp. Public Finance, he will think about mathematical models of "Food Addiction".

Every year, the Research Experience Program offers up to 25 international students from selected universities a research stay at TU Dresden. The participants receive a scholarship for stay and travel expenses. The students spend 4-12 weeks at a Chair suitable for their research interests and also have the opportunity to participate in a cultural program as well as mini-workshops on topics such as entrepreneurship and personality development.

© gelman

In a short interview, Ronny Gelman talks about how he became aware of the program and what he expects from his stay in Dresden.

How did you become aware of the program and why did you apply for it?   
I received an e-mail from my university in Jerusalem drawing attention to the Research Experience Program of TU Dresden. I found this immediately exciting, because it is a research-oriented program. This gives me the opportunity to get to know a new country and to strengthen my research skills.

For what reasons did you choose the Chair of Public Economics as host for your research stay?  
I looked for Chairs in Mathematics as well as in Economics. Since I study both, Mathematics and Economics, Marcel Thum and his team suits me very well.  I will work with Katharina Bettig on the topic of food addiction. My interest in the application and further development of mathematical models can be combined with a thematically exciting question.

Have you had the opportunity to meet other international students participating in the Research Experience Program?   
Unfortunately, this is not the case because of the other students were at TU Dresden from May to August. The workshops also took place in the summer month. However, I received the documents for the workshops by e-mail, so that this knowledge is not lost to me. And I now have a little more time to concentrate on the research questions and, of course, to get to know Dresden and the surrounding area.

What are your plans when you are back in Israel?
I will soon complete my bachelor's degree and start a master's degree. I already work as a research assistant at the Economics department of my university and enjoy it a lot. I would therefore very much like to start a scientific career after my studies. And I already know that I will recommend the Research Experience Program.