The RTG 3096’s kick-off successfully took place on June 23rd at the Campus Düppel of the School of Veterinary Medicine. Principal investigators, doctoral researchers (DRs) and the RTG’s coordinator came together to get informed about possibilities and obligations in RTG 3096 and to start the One Health Seminar (OHS) series. Unfortunately, two DRs could not participate in person due to unforeseen reasons, but will join us in the next months.

The kick-off started with an introduction to the graduate program for the doctoral researchers. After a warm welcome by the speaker Susanne Hartmann, the PI Isabelle Ruhnke introduced the qualification concept of RTG 3096 to the DRs, followed by administrative information from the coordinator. Then, Dr. Ruth Hirschberger from the Dahlem Research School gave profound insights into their opportunities and offers.

In the afternoon our Mercator fellow Prof. Raffi Aroian started the OHS seminar series by giving an inspiring and interactive talk about his research on Cry proteins and their anthelmintic properties, which sparked many curious questions by DRs and PIs.

Beyond the formal program, everybody had time to connect with each other while sharing refreshments and finger food. All in all, the RTG 3096 kick-off succesfully laid the foundation for the whole group of One Health scientists to grow together as a team.