Where are you originally from, what are you studying at Goethe University, and what brought you here?

I am originally from Iran and came to Germany in 2018 to study at Goethe University. I first completed my bachelor’s degree in Biosciences here. After graduating successfully, I began my master’s program in Molecular Biosciences in 2022. My strong interest in the life sciences and the opportunity to study at Goethe University brought me to Germany. The university’s wide range of study programs and international research opportunities were important factors in my decision.

What challenges have you faced as an international student, and what have been some highlights of your studies so far?

As an international student, I had to adapt to a new academic system and stay informed about the structure of my degree program. Integration was also a challenge at first. However, the biggest challenge was the language. Even though I had prior knowledge of German, it was initially difficult to fully understand lectures—but that improved over time. A significant moment for me was receiving my bachelor’s diploma. Another highlight was my work as a student assistant at the university’s computing center. I am especially proud of having contributed as a co-author to an article published in Springer Nature.

Why did you apply for the Completion Scholarship at Goethe University?

Alongside my master’s studies, I worked as a student assistant. During my master’s thesis, I had to reduce my working hours. My supervisor, Prof. Eric Helfrich, suggested that I apply for a scholarship to ease the financial strain. After a consultation with the university’s Scholarship Service, I learned about the Completion Scholarship and decided to apply.

What is your research focus, and how did this opportunity support your work?

My research focuses on the bioinformatic development of new tools for analyzing the biosynthetic pathways of natural products. Secondary metabolites play an important role in medicine, agriculture, and the food industry. Mining tools such as antiSMASH support researchers but have limitations in visualization. To address this, RAIChU was developed. Alola, a web-based tool, provides interactive visualization and customization of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). As part of my master’s thesis, I improved and expanded the functionality of Alola. Having the opportunity to dedicate more time to my research helped me achieve in-depth and high-quality results.

How did you get the opportunity to contribute as a co-author to a paper published in Springer Nature?

The topic of my master’s thesis was the further development of Alola. I implemented five new reactions in RAIChU and tested all modification enzymes. Because of this contribution, I was given the opportunity to participate as a co-author in that publication.

What are your future plans after completing your studies?

After finishing my degree, I plan to pursue a PhD and continue my research. My focus will remain on bioinformatics, particularly on developing innovative tools for genome analysis. A central part of my future work could involve further developing Alola.

Do you have any advice for other international students considering applying for a scholarship?

My advice is to complete study modules in a timely manner and to keep track of requirements and deadlines early on. I also recommend making use of the available advising services. Good preparation is key to a successful application process. Above all, I encourage others to follow their dreams and never give up.