Dipl.-Chem. Dana Warner
Chemistry graduate Dana Warner receives the coveted PhD fellowship awarded by the HaVo Foundation. Ms Warner is part of the UniCat working group headed by Prof. Dr. Christian Limberg researching the activation of small molecules with biomimetic model complexes based on amino acids.
After completing her secondary school education, Dana Warner trained as a Chemical Laboratory Assistant with the Bundesanstalt für Materialprüfung (Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, BAM). On completion of her traineeship she studied Chemistry at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin while simultaneously training as a Chemical Technical Assistant. She successfully completed her degree in Chemistry in August 2011 with a dissertation on polydentate cysteine-based ligands and their complexation behaviour.
The HaVo Foundation was founded in 2008 by the longstanding CEO of BASF, Dr. Jürgen Hambrecht, and the chairman of the BASF Supervisory Board, Eggert Voscherau, who provided a financial base for the Foundation of €1.25 million from their personal assets. Each year up to two grants are awarded to gifted undergraduate students, PhD students and postdoctoral students whose research focuses on areas of worked linked to the field of chemistry. The recipients of HaVo grants receive support in the form of €1500 per month for two years.
In 2009 Jennifer Jaitzig, a student at the BIG-NSE Graduate School received the first HaVo grant alongside Marion Gedrat, a student at Universität Karlsruhe.
UniCat: Ms Warner, you have just received the news that you are a recipient of a coveted HaVo fellowship. What does this mean for you?
Receiving the grant has confirmed my choice of thesis subject and will help spur me on even more to produce a high standard of work.
UniCat: How well does your thesis topic fit in to the context of the Cluster of Excellence "Unifying Concepts in Catalysis“?
There are some biology projects within the Cluster of Excellence that focus on enzymes containing nickel. These enzymes are capable of activating small molecules such as hydrogen or carbon dioxide, and a transfer of the reaction principles to the field of chemistry is would be very useful. Based on this background, I am interesting in the synthesis of biomimetic model complexes.
UniCat: Your Master’s Degree focused on polydentate cysteine-based ligands. To what use can these be put?
In the types of enzymes mentioned, nickel ions are in most cases to be found in cysteine-rich environments. In order to recreate this situation as accurately as possible, artificial cysteine-based ligands are essential.
UniCat: While completing your degree in Chemistry you also completed your training as a Chemical Technical Assistant. Was it easy to combine the two things?
Very easy, because the topics involved form the basis of a chemistry degree.
UniCat: How do you relax after work?
With a good book. I also take part in competitive sailing.
UniCat: Thank you for talking to us.