Reflections on NeurotechEU: Insights from supervisors on student development

Group leader Michael Ratz saw his student’s experience at BonnBrain3, where she returned with fresh perspectives on scientific talks directly relevant to their research. “She gave a lab presentation where she shared valuable insights from the event, which has been great for our team,” he said. Ratz also connected with two PIs from Bonn on possible research collaborations—one of the unexpected and valuable outcomes of his student’s time with NeurotechEU. He sees programs like these as crucial for students’ academic growth, exposing them to a wide variety of research topics and the latest advancements in neuroscience.

Principal investigator Kristiina Tammimies was equally positive, noting how her student’s international experience gave him professional and interpersonal skills that benefited his work within her group. She observed, “It really enhanced his ability to lead training activities and support others, which is a big win for us as a team.” While her student’s involvement hasn’t yet led to new collaborations, she’s hopeful about future connections that may stem from the experience.

Both supervisors shared ideas for future improvements. Dr. Ratz suggested developing a formalized PhD program across NeurotechEU’s partner universities to further support cross-border research and learning. Meanwhile, Dr. Tammimies recommended that the program create a way for doctoral students to earn academic credit for their involvement, emphasizing the importance of accredited experience in building their careers and encouraging other research groups to participate.

Both Ratz and Tammimies are excited to see how NeurotechEU continues to inspire and shape young researchers, believing that initiatives like these expand horizons, foster new skills, and prepare students for an interconnected scientific world.