Hertha Sponer College

Educating a New Generation of Future Researchers

Multiscale integrative research performed by MBExC scientists offers unique opportunities for the interdisciplinary training of early career researchers coming from a basic science or medical background. The Hertha Sponer College targets particularly talented students and early career researchers interested in further personalized research training and career advice to spark and foster enthusiasm for research at the boundary of the natural sciences and biomedicine. The overall aim is to promote cutting-edge, interdisciplinary early career researchers on their way to independence, to thus educate a new generation of future research leaders.

Vision & Community
Organization
College Members

Join the Hertha Sponer College - our new call for applications is out now - deadline: March 23rd, 2025

Vision & Community

The Hertha Sponer College aims to promote students and early career researchers who intend to pursue an academic career at the interface of the natural sciences and biomedicine. The College's program is based on the specific training needs of students, early career scientists and clinicians at various stages of their career. Training measures are designed to promote the scientific and personal development, networking among collegians, with PIs, and the community. To foster early independence, specific fellowships are available for research-oriented clinician scientists and for postdoctoral junior fellows.
The Hertha Sponer College offers two career development tracks: The basic scientist track is dedicated to excellent students as well as early career researchers of the natural and life sciences interested in quantitative, interdisciplinary research. The clinician scientist track promotes excellent medical students and residents by providing a framework that supports them in combining clinical training and practice with research within the scope of MBExC. The educational concept complements existing programs for structured education available on the Göttingen Campus.

Dr. Heike Conrad
Hertha Sponer College Coordinator &
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Manager

heike.conrad[at]med.uni-goettingen.de
Phone: +49 551 39-61305

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College Program

Hertha Sponer (1895–1968)

The Hertha Sponer College was named after the German physicist Hertha Sponer (1895-1968), who came from Neisse, Upper Silesia (in present-day Poland). In the early 20th century, a scientific career was still unusual and difficult for women. Together with Lise Meitner, Emmy Noether and Hedwig Kohn she was among the first female physicists in Germany.
After studying physics in Tübingen and Göttingen, Hertha Sponer received her Ph.D. in physics at the University of Göttingen, and later was one of the first women to become a professor here. She left Göttingen under the repressive regime of the National Socialists and moved to the US, to work at the Duke University. In American exile, she married her former Göttingen mentor and nobel prize winner James Franck, who, like many other colleagues, also emigrated. The college was named after Hertha Sponer to honor her interdisciplinary work in physics and chemistry, which resulted in numerous scientific publications.

Hertha Sponer, 1958 (Picture: Duke University Archives)

Organization

The Hertha Sponer College Board operates the selection of collegians, and promotes the constant development of the high-quality college program supported by the Hertha Sponer College coordinator.