Prof. Dr. Barbara Hellriegel
| Zoologist, Mathematical Biology Barbara Hellriegel was born in Mannheim, Germany. She is an external titular professor at the University of Zurich and teaches postgraduate and doctoral students in mathematical modelling and statistics. «The work ethic in the academic world is unique.» |  |
Career
| 1989 1993 1994 1994 – 1995 1995 – 2001 2001 – 2002 2002 – 2003 2003 – 2004 2004 – 2005 2005 – 2007 2007 – 2008 2008 – 2009 since 2009 | Diploma in Mathematics with Biology, Freie Universität Berlin Doctorate in Zoology, University of Basel Research Assistant, Semafor Informatik & Energie AG, Basel Postdoctoral Researcher in Theoretical Ecology, University of Zurich Postdoctoral Researcher and Senior Research Associate in Evolutionary Ecology, University of Zurich Deputy Professor of Applied Mathematics, University of Bonn Senior Researcher, Sylvia Lawry Centre for Multiple Sclerosis Research, TU München (University of Technology Munich) Senior Researcher, Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, TU München (University of Technology Munich) Fellow of Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin Research Associate in Anthropology, University of Zurich Visiting Professor of Behavioural Biology, University of Siegen, Germany Advisor, Computer Brainware Advisors, Zurich Titular Professor, University of Zurich Editor, Birkhäuser Springer Verlag, Basel |
What do you like about your academic work?
The work ethic in the academic world is unique. There are few other occupations where people have the same enthusiasm for their chosen field.
Did you experience any dry spells or disappointments in your career?How did you overcome these?
I wanted to be involved in the challenging questions at the interface between mathematics, biology and medicine. But many of these interdisciplinary positions are only temporary. This career doesn’t quite fit with the standard academic career path.
Who was your greatest source of support in your professional life? And personally?
Most of my initiative and motivation came from within. I received support here and there, but I never had a mentor. That’s why I’m such a great advocate of peer mentoring.
Do you have any advice for young, ambitious female researchers?Write your doctorate in your degree subject. If you want to change subjects, then in the interests of your career, make sure you prepare and plan well. Network, find mentors, and make sure people know your name. Work towards the next step in your career in a way that shows you genuinely want to achieve it – if you change your mind then you’ll have done your best for your new goal too.
Institute and Museum of Anthropology
University of Zurich
Winterthurerstrasse 190
CH-8057 Zurich
Tel. +41 44 635 54 11 (Sekr.)
barhell@aim.uzh.ch
