"They made me feel like I have a new family here" In the middle of the pandemic, Susmita Ghosh decided to leave her home country for the first time in her life. For her dissertation, the 25-year-old moved from Kolkata to Dortmund, to ISAS. Since October 2021, the biologist has been actively involved with the doctoral students at the institute alongside her research project. In this interview, Ghosh reports on how she has settled in and what advice she has for other young researchers from abroad.
Susmita Ghosh uses the ultra-sensitive mass spectrometer to analyse her samples for her dissertation on »Unravelling the molecular makeup of neutrophils invading tumours and inflammatory tissues«. Outside the lab, the biologist writes short stories in her native language Bengali.
step closer towards my goal of becoming an independent researcher. I can’t thank myself enough for having made the right decision.
How did you first notice ISAS? Ghosh: I’ve always been fascinated by immunology but
What was your job interview like?
didn’t get many opportunities to work in this field in the
Ghosh: I believe interviews always make any candidate
past. Hence, I wanted to explore immunology more as
nervous. I was additionally excited because I had just
a topic in my doctoral study. When I was looking for a
recovered from COVID-19. The interview was 15 days
PhD position in immunology, I found the job advertise-
after I had a severe infection with breathing trouble
ment on the internet. I was fascinated by Prof Dr
including having to use an inhaler, and other complica-
Matthias Gunzer’s research as well as the scientific
tions. But the moment I saw Matthias Gunzer and one
output at ISAS.
of his PhD students, I instantly felt more comfortable. My first interview with them was more like a scientific
Why did you choose to leave India and come to ISAS for your PhD? Ghosh: It was indeed a tough call for me to leave my
discussion rather than an interview. During my second interview, I had the opportunity to talk to Prof Dr Albert Sickmann. That’s where I realised that I will get a ton to learn from the various scientific disciplines at ISAS.
parents and friends. However, I always believe that in order to achieve something great, you’ll have to sacrifice something great. Today, I’m in Dortmund to achieve my goal. Here, I can undertake my doctoral
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What did it feel like to start a new chapter in your life during a pandemic?
studies and at the same time hone my knowledge and
Ghosh: It was very much a mix of emotions for me.
experience in immunology. All of this helps me get a
Before I got here, a few other renowned research
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
