The Graduate Schools for Medical Students funding line aims specifically to support early-career researchers training within medical faculties. With approval of the doctoral programs in Bonn, Leipzig, and Rostock, highly motivated, talented medical students will have the opportunity to complete their studies in outstanding research environments. Within these programs, they will be supervised closely by experienced mentors, explore diverse scientific career paths, and begin linking medical research and patient care at an early stage.
The following graduate schools will each receive €900,000 in funding:
Spokespersons: Prof. Dr. Anne-Katrin Pröbstel & Prof. Dr. Kaan Boztug
Institutions: Center for Neurology – Clinic for Neuroimmunology & Neuromuscular Diseases and Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine – Clinic and Polyclinic for Pediatric Immunology & Rheumatology, Bonn University Hospital
Title: IMMUNE PILOT: Dissecting immune-mediated pathologies across tissues and life span for targeted immune intervention
With its “IMMUNE PILOT” graduate school, the Faculty of Medicine at Bonn University Hospital introduces medical students to the link between immunology, neuroscience, and genetics at an early stage and specifically prepares research-minded young medical professionals for a career as a clinician-scientist. Students benefit from intensive supervision, structured training, opportunities for international exchanges, and access to an exceptionally strong research infrastructure. This includes the Bonn Technology Campus, the DFG Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation, and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Together, these institutions offer a vibrant environment in which to train the next generation of clinician-scientists.
Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Berend Isermann
Institution: Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Leipzig University Hospital
Title: Early medical training in lifestyle-associated chronic vasculo-metabolic diseases (EMILIA)
The early detection, prevention, and reversal of chronic diseases pose significant medical challenges. Lifestyle‑associated metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes can lead to cardiovascular disease and microvascular complications. The pathological processes leading to these conditions already begin during pregnancy and early childhood. At the cellular level, critical “switch points” such as changes in gene activity and protein modifications steer the course of the disease and disrupt cellular metabolism. The EMILIA doctoral program trains aspiring clinician-scientists to investigate the mechanisms of these switch points and identify new therapeutic strategies for lifestyle‑associated conditions.
Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Dr. Markus Kipp
Institution: Institute of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, University of Rostock
Title: Step: Physical mobility in healthy and pathological aging
The graduate school focuses on upright gait as well as disease and aging processes that can compromise gait and impair mobility. Doctoral researchers investigate different aspects of gait disorders in a variety of conditions including multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Analyses of human gait and studies of animal models are systematically linked to neural processes and pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. The overarching goal is the early detection of gait disorders, with a particular focus on preventive strategies and treatment options. To achieve this, the graduate school pursues an interdisciplinary approach that involves the faculties of medicine, computer science and electrical engineering, and sports science.