International Women’s Day: Interview with Dr. Anna Taubenberger

During International Women’s Day, we celebrate all women working at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering of TU Dresden. Today, we would like to feature one of our research group leaders from Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Dr. Anna Taubenberger.

Tell us more about your scientific journey. How did your career look so far?
After finishing high school in Bavaria, I decided to pursue a university degree in engineering, focusing on bioprocess engineering. I had a fondness for the natural sciences and found the job of an engineer somewhat intriguing.

I actually hadn't considered a scientific career at all. It wasn't until relatively late in my studies that I became involved in scientific research, through various project assignments and my thesis in biophysics group led by Prof. Daniel Müller, TU Dresden alumnus, now at the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zürich. During that time, we characterized the adhesion of individual cells using atomic force microscopy, right down to the interaction of individual integrins with extracellular matrix proteins. I was fascinated by the topic and decided to continue working on it by doing a PhD in the same group.

During my PhD, I got increasingly excited about projects with a biomedical focus, such as a project on the adhesive interactions of leukemia cells. Because of that, I decided to do a postdoc focusing on tissue engineering in the group of Prof. Dietmar Hutmacher at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane, Australia. My partner, now husband, accompanied me at that time, even though he didn't immediately find a job there.

I arrived at QUT with a postdoc scholarship funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). I worked on various cancer models, exploring interactions between cancer cells and the metastatic niche in bone. After three years, my path led me back to Dresden, to the research group of Prof. Jochen Guck, where I got into the mechanical properties of cells and tissues. During this second postdoc phase, I also had my two children.

With my own research group, which I started approximately 3.5 years ago, we work at the interface of biophysics and bioengineering. Using in vitro models and tailored biomaterials, we investigate how cells, especially cancer cells, respond to mechanical stimuli in their 3D microenvironments. We also aim to contribute to an understanding to what extent the mechanical properties of cells and tissues can provide complementary information, for example, to better estimate the progression of cancer.

Why did you choose science?
On the one hand, I enjoy practical applications and problem-solving, which is why I became an engineer. However, I almost enjoy discovery more than development. I particularly like delving into the causes of a specific phenomenon and designing an experiment for it. What I also highly value about science is working in an international environment, exchanging ideas with colleagues, and collaborating in a team.

What was your dream job when you were still a child?
For a while, I wanted to become a pilot, then a veterinarian - for horses, of course…

A Career in science can be tough at times. What motivates you to face the challenges?
I'm a pretty optimistic person. Sure, I might feel a bit down when a paper or grant gets rejected, but it usually does not last long. Most of the time, the positive moments outweigh any negatives. I enjoy the research and working with my great team.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for women in science nowadays?
That sounds so generalized. I believe the difficulties can vary greatly, depending on factors like the environment you're in, your family situation, and your level of self-confidence and security awareness.

Personally, I can't say I've had negative experiences in this regard so far. I had always had much support from family (especially my husband), mentors, and also good colleagues. There are certainly many well-known issues, such as the long uncertainty with temporary positions and the lack of long-term prospects in research. But of course, these are problems that affect not only women. I know plenty of male colleagues who face the same issue. Without wanting to generalize, I can imagine that these circumstances can affect women slightly more often.

There are still clearly too few female professors. In some fields, like engineering, the low percentage of female professors can almost be understood, as the number of female students is much lower as well (well below 20% when I was studying). But this is also often the case in faculties where many more women study.

Lastly, there's a need for female role models for younger female scientists. When I was a postdoc in Brisbane, there were several senior female professors with children that impressed me. In contrast to what I remember from my undergraduate studies, where I can’t recall having heard a lecture by a female professor. Also, when growing up, most of my friends' mothers, even if they were educated, were not working or had part-time jobs while the kids were young.

Perhaps it's due to the recruitment process itself, but the problem probably starts earlier, such as during the postdoc phase or when applying for the first independent position. Perhaps women need to approach applications with a bit more confidence, or be less risk-averse when it comes to non-permanent positions that signify a step forward, or the conditions they face need to be changed accordingly. But that's being discussed a lot right now. Some women I know also hesitate to accept a postdoc position abroad or a professorship elsewhere if it involves commuting or moving the entire family. Maybe many men are more resilient in that regard. But in the end, these are individual decisions.

Do you have any advice for students who just start their scientific career?
Do not take the path of least resistance, but seek out an exciting research topic in a good scientific environment. Don't give up too quickly if you're good at what you do and if you have fun with it—there's still time for plan B and C later. There are certainly many other great jobs if you find that science isn't for you in the long run. Find good mentors and stay optimistic. Prepare for hard work! 🙂