Who we are, what we do
and why
Welcome to the WiRe Blog! WiRe – Women in Research is a Fellowship program for outstanding female postdocs at the University of Münster, Germany. On our blog you will find exciting insights into the (research) worlds of our fellows, learn more about how current research helps to solve pressing problems of our times, get inspired by our fellows and their experiences in the world of research and academia, and go on forays through Münster with us!

Newest posts

Plastics That Don’t Pollute Our Planet? How Research on Enzyme Optimization Helps To Solve One of the Biggest Challenges of Our Time
Plastic pollution is a worldwide problem. Learn more on a promising scientific approach, advanced by Dr. Aleksandra Marsavelski, to overcome the global crisis. Aleksandra’s research focusses on enzymes that can act as molecular scissors to cleave apart plastic pollution.

Celebrating a Culture of Knowledge Transfer and Creativity: The First WiRe Research Video Contest!
Cast your vote in our first WiRe Research Video Contest! Our fellows – mostly new to video making – have put a lot of effort, time and creativity in explaining their resesarch in a video! Have a look and help us find the best videos!

Chemical Crusaders: Unmasking the Secrets of Psychedelic Potions for a Safer Society!
Step with Dr. Ruxandra Chira into the world of cutting-edge chemistry as she and her research colleagues explore the potentials of Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry (EC-MS) in identifying and combating the hidden threats of New Psychoactive Substances (NPSs). Discover how EC-MS serves as a powerful, effective, and ethical tool against the elusive nature of NPSs, capable of detecting even the tiniest changes in substance structure with remarkable precision.

Towards a Better Understanding of Emotional Processing: Exploring the Brain With Electric Stimulation to Modulate our Emotions
Emotions play an essential role in the development of our lives, as they influence the way that we interpret the world, as well as the way that we interact with it. Psychological research using brain stimulation raises hopes for treating psychiatric disorders linked with imbalanced emotions.

Our Rights in Social Media – Or the Impact of Facebook & Co for Democratic Discourse
Social media platforms have appeared only relatively recently in the history of public communication. However, the biggest platforms have significantly more users than any media company ever had. As platforms have gradually been increasing their role in determining which content gets priority, they posses a considerable opinions power. This has profound implications for our democracies.

Transformers in Real Life: Shape Memory Alloys or Revolutionary Properties in Science and the Game Changer in Industry
The alien robots in those films disguise themselves as normal vehicles, switching back and forth at will between their forms as either inconspicuous machinery or powerful, giant fighters.
The Fellows

Revolutionizing the Treatment of Neurological Swallowing Disorders – An Interview with Speech Therapist Ivy Cheng
In today’s 33-questions-to-episode we are speaking with Dr. Ivy Cheng, a speech therapist and passionate lover of animals and plants.

Dr. Ivy Cheng: Unleashing the Power of Neurostimulation in Swallowing Disorders
On this Welcome Wednesday, say hello to Dr. Ivy Cheng, a speech therapist specialized in neurorehabilitation of swallowing disorders, and passionate lover of animals and plants.

Dr. Alison Posey: Investigating How Racial Minority Authors and Artists are Represented in Spanish Literature
Meet philologist and expert in Hispanic literature Dr. Alison Posay on this Welcome Wednesday! Alison investigates the role of the work of ethnic and racial minorities in debates about defining a collective national identity in contemporary Spain.
Exploring Münster

The Christmas Markets of Münster
The arrival of Winter in Germany, signalled by cold rain and short days, luckily also coincides with one of the most ‘golden’ times of the year – the Advent season!