MPGC Students’ Seminar
The MPGC Students’ Seminar is a central forum for scientific exchange within the graduate center and an integral component of the MPGC curriculum.
Each doctoral researcher is required to present their research at least once during their doctoral phase. During the seminar, students present the latest results of their interdisciplinary projects to a broad audience from the participating Max Planck Institutes and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.
The interdisciplinary setting is a key strength of the seminar. Presenting to researchers from different scientific backgrounds provides valuable training in communicating complex ideas beyond one’s own field. It strengthens presentation skills, encourages clear scientific argumentation, and offers practical experience in handling questions and discussion in a diverse academic environment.
Beyond formal presentations, the seminar fosters constructive feedback on scientific results and presentation techniques. It also promotes informal discussion, networking, and exchange across research areas and institutions. Many participants identify shared interests, develop new perspectives on their work, and initiate potential collaborations through these interactions.
Held regularly throughout the academic year, the MPGC Students’ Seminar contributes to building a cohesive doctoral community while reinforcing the interdisciplinary character of the graduate center.
Schedule for Summer semester 2026
13 May 2026
Speakers: Vasileios Xenidis (Supervisors: Prof. L. Stelzl, Prof. S. Dhiman); Jun.-Prof. Dr. Michael te Vrugt (JGU FB08)
Chair: Jun.-Prof. Dr. Michael te Vrugt (JGU FB08)
20 May 2026
Speakers: Dustin Schilling (Supervisors: Dr. U. Barayeu, Prof. Dr. Gräter); Frederik Munko (Supervisors: Prof. F. Schmid, Jun.-Prof. K. Amann-Winkel); Rebecca Full (Supervisors: Prof. E. Rentschler, Prof. P. Blom)
Chair: Dr. Uladzimir Barayeu (MPIP)
27 May 2026
Speakers: Simon Sochiera (Supervisors: Jun.-Prof. A. Wittmann, Prof. E. Rentschler); Alexander Hagenow (Supervisors: Prof. E. Rentschler, Jun.-Prof. A. Wittmann); Dr. Sam Wilken (JGU FB09)
Chair: Dr. Yair Litman (MPIP)
24 June 2026
Speakers: Dr. Dandan Gao (JGU FB09); Daniel Vigelius (Supervisors: Prof. T. Tütken, Prof. Geisler-Wierwille)
Chair: Dr. Dandan Gao (JGU FB09)
1 July 2026
Speakers: Chenxi Yang (Supervisors: Prof. E. Lemke, Prof. S. Dhiman); Yuean Zhou (Supervisors: Prof. M. Kläui, Dr. Mentink)
Chair: Jun.-Prof. Dr. Igor Obreht (JGU FB09)