In 2018, IPB fundamentally revised its PhD program and introduced the structured doctoral training "Leibniz Research School PlantBioChem". Arianne Schnabel, doctoral researcher in the group "Phenylpropanoid Metabolism" led by Thomas Vogt has now been the first to successfully complete the new program and was presented with the LRS PlantBioChem certificate at her recent dissertation defense.
In her doctorate project, Arianne Schnabel studied black pepper (Piper nigrum). Over the past four and a half years, the biochemist identified the key enzymes for the biosynthesis of piperine and was thus able to fully elucidate how this plant forms the pungent substance. Her research resulted in three publications and a patent application (see News Tickers #20, #66, #80).
During her time as a PhD student at IPB, Arianne Schnabel has successfully mastered all the milestones of the PhD program. These include reporting annually to her supervisory team, presenting her own research results at an international symposium, regularly attending research seminars, and completing a transferable skills course. The basis of this program is a supervision agreement completed at the start of the doctorate. In this agreement, the doctoral candidate and the primary supervisor, together with at least two other supervisors or mentors, define the goals and key points of the supervisory relationship. In the case of supervisee Arianne Schnabel and supervisor Thomas Vogt, at the defense, both gratefully praised the successful supervision relationship, which led the research project to success even in the face of challenges.
Within the framework of the doctoral program, the doctoral researchers can take on additional tasks from an elective repertoire. Here, Arianne has excelled in mentoring students in particular, has helped organize the PSSC student conference, and has taken further training at IPB DoCous. DoCous - short for "IPB Doctoral Training Courses" - are recurring methods and technical skill workshops initiated about three years ago by IPB's doctoral student council. By now, DoCous also enjoy lively participation by MLU doctoral students on campus beyond the institute's boundaries.
We congratulate Arianne Schnabel on her successfully completed dissertation and wish her all the best for the future.
