Jun 26, 2026
Episode 43: Science Adventures – How Hard Is It to Be a Researcher?
Can AI actually be stressed? And what happens when cells are under stress? Why do some questions fascinate us so much that we spend years exploring them? And what does it actually take to become a scientist?
For our podcast as part of Dresden Science Night, we were guests at TU Dresden—on the main science stage. We wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes of research: How do scientists learn? What sparked their curiosity? When was the foundation for their career path laid? Which encounters and connections were important? And how do you manage to stick with it when the answer to a question takes a long time to emerge?
The discussion covered a wide range of research fields—from digital health to theoretical physics to cell biology. But above all, it was about the people behind the work: their curiosity, their enthusiasm, their doubts, and their very personal paths into science.
The result is a warm and personal conversation about research, learning, and the question of what actually drives us to want to truly understand things.
The Adventure of Science—listen now and join us for a look behind the scenes of research.
Our advisors:
- Dr. Magdalena Wekenborg – Psychobiologist and Group Leader at the Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health
- Prof. Dr. Matthias Vojta – Chair of Theoretical Solid State Physics, TU Dresden
- Dr. Sandra Scharaw – Cell biologist and group leader at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Moderator:
- Jana Forkel
- Stephan Wiegand
Musical accompaniment:
Recorded and produced live by Johannes Gerstengarbe ( Ballroom Studios ) at the Dresden Science Night open-air event.
Photo Credit
Photographs and videos will be taken during this event. The photos will be used for press and public relations purposes by TUD and the other participating organizations. As part of the coverage, photos may also be shared with third parties as needed. By participating in the event, you consent to the possible use of photos of you for publication in print and online media, including social media.
This project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the Free State of Saxony as part of the Excellence Strategy developed by the Federal and State governments.