What are you reading?

Anna Sonsala is administrative assistant to four junior groups at the Max Delbrück Center. She also works on innovative science communication formats. Her reading tip is a book that transforms archive material into a captivating story about the “destruction of the East German public sphere.”

Ian Erik Stewart is a neuroscientist in James Poulet's lab, where he analyzes proprioception, among other things. In his reading tip, Ian delves into two books that explore the secrets of the brain and human consciousness. And he also recommends a fantastic movie.

Sanja Drakulic coordinates the international PhD program at our center, and she is passionate about the diversity, equity and inclusion. Here, she recommends a book by the award-winning Belarusian writer Svetlana Alexievich, who has coined her own literary genre: the documentary "novel in voices".

This month's recommended reading comes from Russ Hodge, a science writer and trainer in the People & Culture department at the Max Delbrück Center. His tip is a gripping novel about music, family, and identity. It is set in post-war America during the civil rights movement.

Michael Gotthardt studies how the heart adapts in health and disease to develop novel therapies. He shares a comic book, “Asterix in Switzerland,” with his children. But his main recommendation is a book on the art and science of prediction that he enjoys as an audiobook on his bike-ride to work.

Ulrike Ohnesorge has been at the Max Delbrück Center since 2007 and is primarily responsible for contracts and labor law matters. Furthermore, she serves as a First Contact Point in case of conflicts. She recommends a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Siddhartha Mukherjee: "The song of the cell".

Inga Patarčić, who holds a PhD in bioinformatics and molecular biology, is a research data manager at the Max Delbrück Center. A native of Croatia, she recommends a book about Buddhism and philosophy, but also about egoism in research and open science.

Data science has long been part of our research – including artificial intelligence. However, AI has also permeated the daily lives of many people. At "Insights," we were curious: What books would ChatGPT & Co. recommend for laypeople interested in molecular medicine? The result: three bestsellers.

Since 2018, Jutta Kramm has headed the communications department at the Max Delbrück Center, and her team is also responsible for “Insights”. Now, the seasoned journalist shares a reading recommendation: a fascinating and moving book about a wondrous creature, the eel, and the big questions of life.

Tijana Perović is a PhD student in the Gerhardt lab. She analyzes brain vasculature, which provides an alternative route for blood in the event of a stroke, for example. She was born in Serbia and moved to Berlin in 2017. In her recommended reading, she explores how much passion it takes – in love and in science.