It is a unique model of success for doctoral training in the life sciences: the “International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm” (IGradU). At the end of June, it celebrated its 20th anniversary by looking back and looking ahead. An Alumni Hall of Fame and video messages from former graduates highlighted the paths many have taken since receiving their awards of a doctoral degree – in both academia and industry, with some now serving as professors or holding other leadership roles, both in Germany and abroad.

Since its foundation, 480 early-career scientists from 37 countries have graduated from the IGradU with a doctoral degree (Dr. rer. nat. or PhD). More than two-thirds of the alumni are women. What unites the graduates is excellent scientific training in conjunction with outstanding career prospects. “For Ulm University, the IGradU was the gateway to scientific excellence, and over time it has developed incredible momentum,” said Professor Thomas Wirth, Dean of the Medical Faculty. University President Professor Michael Weber recalled that, in 2007, the IGradU was Ulm University’s first success in the federal and state Excellence Initiative and was rated at the time as the best graduate school in Baden-Württemberg. From the outset, its mission had been “to produce highly trained and independent female scientists capable of conducting research autonomously”.

Situated at the interface between Medicine and the Natural Sciences, the graduate school has had a lasting impact on life sciences research at Ulm University and has reinforced its international profile. The structured PhD programme combines an English-taught curriculum with intensive scientific supervision in small groups of doctoral students. Thematic areas range from ageing and cancer research to virology and trauma research. Rigorous selection procedures, regular evaluations and the publication of scientific findings in specialist journals ensure high quality standards. Research is carried out in close cooperation with the Collaborative Research Centres and research training groups at Ulm University, which are funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).  

A running start to success
IGradU was founded by Professor Michael Kühl and PD Dr Dieter Brockmann. The Head of the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the then Head of the ‘Centre for Research Strategy and Support Ulm’ (ResUl), had previously established the Bachelor’s and master’s programmes in Molecular Medicine together with other colleagues and had provided the impetus for an English-taught PhD programme in this field. This programme formed the basis for the application under the Excellence Initiative, which was finally successful in 2007 – at the second attempt. International collaborations, initially with universities in Italy (Padua) and Finland (Oulu), and later with other European countries as well as the USA and China, enabled joint PhD programmes and intensified scientific exchange. The IGradU was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) until 2019. “Today, it is a key institution at Ulm University and is jointly funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg and the Medical Faculty,” adds Michael Kühl. The former spokesperson for the IGradU is now Vice President Outreach and President-elect of Ulm University.

“For Ulm University, the IGradU marks a significant shift – away from old-school doctoral training towards a modern format that was pioneering in Germany at the time,” emphasised IGradU spokesperson Professor Bernd Knöll, Head of the Institute of Neurobiochemistry. In addition to the international PhD programme, the graduate school now also includes a German-language doctoral programme (Dr. med./Dr. med. dent.) in experimental Medicine, as well as a collaborative programme with Southeast University in Nanjing, China.

Adapting
to change Professor Peter Gierschik demonstrated, in his anecdotal retrospective of shared experiences during excursions and events, that the IGradU’s impact extends far beyond scientific training. “Friendships, scientific networks and even partnerships have been forged here,” said the former head of the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, who has supervised numerous young female scientists over many years. With a touch of humour, he offered the following advice to future supervisors, amongst other things: “Don’t promise too much! And don’t claim that it will be easy.”

A highlight of the celebration was a time capsule designed by the Coordination Office, which was filled with postcards from the evening and placed in the capsule by the PhD student representatives for the PhD students of 2046. In addition, the two IGradU researchers, Tuğba Memiş and Nourice Jaber, demonstrated in a perfect ‘science pitch’ – using photos from 2006 and 2026 – just how much research and laboratory operations have changed over the last 20 years. “The IGradU has continued to refine itself alongside its students. Our aim remains to respond flexibly to new requirements and to offer PhD students the necessary freedom to conduct excellent research,” said Knöll.

Further information: Introducing the International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine (IGradU):
https://www.uni-ulm.de/en/institutes-and-facilities/igradu/

Prof. Dr Bernd Knöll, Spokesperson for the IGradU, email: bernd.knoell(at)uni-ulm.de
Lina Zaveleva, IGradU Coordination Office, email: lina.zaveleva(at)uni-ulm.de

Text and media enquiries: Andrea Weber-Tuckermann