On April 9, 2025, the annual “Women of TUM Talk” took place at the Oskar von Miller Forum in Munich under the motto “Fierce & Fearless.” The Technical University of Munich (TUM) event brought together women students, alumnae, researchers, and staff to highlight inspiring career paths and foster meaningful exchange.
A highlight of the evening was the panel discussion featuring three outstanding TUM alumnae: Prof. Carina Baer de Oliveira Mann, Dr. Aledia Bilali, and Dr. Anna Magdalena Hepp. Particularly impressive was the contribution of Prof. Dr. Baer de Oliveira Mann, who has held the Professorship for Biomolecular Cryo-Electron Microscopy at the TUM School of Natural Sciences since 2023. In her talk, she shared insights into her remarkable career.
At the age of 19, Mann moved from Portugal to Munich to study biochemistry at TUM. Originally intending to return after completing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, her plans changed when she decided to pursue a PhD. As the first in her family to attend university, the path to a professorship was initially unfamiliar. Despite early challenges—failed exams in her first semester—she persevered. Thanks to her curiosity and the support of peers and professors, she found her path and specialized in nucleotidyltransferases, proteins that play a key role in the immune system.
Today, Mann is a professor at TUM, leading a research team investigating the molecular mechanisms of immune defence. She is deeply committed to mentoring young scientists and regularly sets aside time for one-on-one discussions with her doctoral students. She emphasizes the importance of motivation and self-confidence, especially for women in science. Her own journey demonstrates that career paths are rarely linear and that recognizing opportunities and embracing change is crucial.
“I think to myself every day: I have no regrets”– Prof. Carina Baer de Oliveira Mann
Her presentation at the “Women of TUM Talk” was more than a personal success story—it was a passionate call to challenge limits and seize opportunities, even if they diverge from traditional paths.
Alongside the panel, the event also provided space for networking, with student initiatives also represented. The evening underscored the importance of courage and determination in career development and served as a platform for exchanging experiences and inspiration within the TUM community.
Further information and links:
- Women of TUM Talk 2025: https://www.community.tum.de/en/tum-community/women/wotumtalk/
- Interview with Prof. Baer de Oliveira Mann: https://www.community.tum.de/en/carina-baer-de-oliveira-mann/
- Prof. Carina Baer de Oliveira Mann, Professorship of Biomolecular Cryo-Electron Microscopy
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