In November 2022, the first cohort of the Ira Rischowski Programme at the Institute for Nuclear Physics has continued to grow: three young women have started their Master’s degree in physics at TU Darmstadt with the help of our scholarship. Kiriaki Prifti from Albania made the start back in 2021, followed by Valeriia Skibina from Russia and Ann Rochele Netto from India.

“I still have to get used to the temperatures in Darmstadt,” says Ann, “but I’m overjoyed to be here.” She’s only been in Darmstadt for a few weeks and is eager to start her research as part of her Master’s degree at the institute. This gives everyone the chance to gain practical experience in leading basic research – for example with the superconducting electron linear accelerator S-DALINAC. Kiriaki adds, “It’s very interesting to participate in everyday research.” The scholarship holders already work as student assistants and regularly attend lab meetings. This gives them the best possible training for their future doctoral research at TU Darmstadt.