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Prof. Dr. Eva Tolosa
Professur für Immunregulation mit Schwerpunkt Autoimmunerkrankungen
What sparked your interest in a career in science resp. your professional field?
In my last year of High School, my Biology project was in Immunology. :-) In my University study, Immunology was still included in the Dept. of Microbiology. My PhD supervisor was the first Professor of Immunology in Catalonia (one of the first 5 in Spain). My PhD project led me to autoimmunity, and I loved the filed- at that time there were seminar discoveries on how T cells are selected. I found the relationship to autoimmunity fascinating.
Did you always want to become a professor?
No- until my postdoc I just did research without considering what type of position I would opt for. Only when I came to Germany and discovered that you must be a member of the Faculty/ Professor if you want to stay doing research in Academia.
What still excites you as a professor?
As a professor or as a scientist: To see how our knowledge of the immune system improves- literally, by the day. To dig into big data and learn (I still do this myself).
What do you like about working as a professor?
Discussions with colleagues: projects, ideas, results from other groups... Interdisciplinarity: in my field, I feel I have helped other (more clinical) groups to improve their research Not least, to train students and see how they evolve to be researchers, medical doctors, etc. I find there is nothing better than to be surrounded by intelligent, highly educated, polite, and very motivated young people.
Is there anything that you do not like much about working as a professor?
The administrative part.
Were there critical phases in your career and how did you deal with them?
Yes: the transition between postdoc and project leader/principal investigator-- it coincided with pregnancy (twins). I wanted to keep working, but I was scared that I would not get the chance to run a project. Solved by a wonderful program in Baden-Wüttemberg: Margarete-von-Wrangell Habilitation grants for women. I applied, got it, and this allowed me to pay my own salary plus to have money for my own project.
What are the main topics of your research?
Two main topics: Early determinants of T cell immunity and Purinergic signaling in immune regulation.
In your opinion, does a young researcher/physician need to decide to take the path towards a professorship already at a very early stage in her/his career?
YES. It is much better to do so- whoever wants to stay in academia needs to plan early and work towards this goal. Only very few latecomers make it as the system is currently organized.
How would you rate the work-life and work-familiy balance while being a professor?
Much more work than family- but work is highly rewarding.
Please state briefly about a very special moment in your career.
Every time you get a high impact factor paper accepted is special.
Which supporting structures and supporting activities were helpful for you on your way to professorship? Was there a special person who inspired you?
As mentioned above: the habilitation grant (Margarete von Wragell Habilitation grant, Baden-Wüttemberg)-- supporting a postdoc to work toward scientific independence, own research group, and finally, to my professorship. Without this, I doubt that I would be a professor now. Person: my PhD mentor (Prof. Ricardo Pujol-Borrell).
MILESTONES
1992
Phd, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
2010
Habilitation University of Hamburg
2013
Call for W3, University of Münster (declined)
2015
W3 Professor, University of Hamburg
WORK AREA
Prof. Dr. Eva Tolosa
- Forschungsgruppenleiterin
- Projektleiterin