Aug 15, 2025
AI researcher Dr. Sandra Hummel honored as TUD Young Investigator
Dr. Sandra Hummel has impressed TU Dresden with her work on AI-based learning assistants: The head of the junior research group "Situating AI-based Mentoring" at ScaDS.AI Dresden/Leipzig was appointed TUD Young Investigator on August 5, 2025. She investigates how artificial intelligence - incorporating didactic principles - can accompany learning processes and provide personalized support.
"I think it’s great that TU Dresden supports academic careers in such a targeted way – with real connections, concrete opportunities to help shape the program and an open mind for different paths in academia.", says Dr. Sandra Hummel.
On the occasion of the appointment, Rector Prof. Dr. Ursula M. Staudinger presented her with the certificate at a Rector's Council meeting, following a laudatory speech by Vice-Rector Research Prof. Dr. Angela Rösen-Wolff. Prof. Dr. Thomas Köhler will support Dr. Sandra Hummel as a mentor within the framework of the program.
The "TUD Young Investigator" program strengthens excellent, independent Junior Research Group Leaders at TU Dresden by fostering their integration into the faculties and enabling them to participate in the FAST FORWARD qualification program. The status is awarded for a limited time and linked to the duration of the activity as head of an independent junior research group.
Sandra Hummel's current research focuses on the AI learning assistant SAM, which enables pedagogically sound and personalized learning and teaching support. She previously completed her doctorate in educational science at the University of Graz in Austria. She has worked on various initiatives to improve teaching quality and innovation, including with cooperation partners from Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka and Cambodia. She has also coordinated several EU projects dealing with the development of educational technologies that take into account and adapt to the individual characteristics of different learners.