TUM Alumna Carola Fuchs (Photo: Manu Theobald).
I learned to love scientific work at TUM.
During her studies, she worked as a research assistant in a small room at the Chair of Process Engineering and realized that research was something she enjoyed: “I learned to love scientific work at TUM,” says Carola Fuchs: researching literature, conducting experiments, evaluating data, developing theses – all skills that were essential for her future career.
From Wastewater Treatment to the Digital Health Industry
After completing her doctorate, Carola Fuchs set up the fermentation laboratory at a biotech start-up in Munich, then went on to develop insulin pens for the pharmaceutical company Sanofi. She joined PARI to lead projects for the development of inhalation devices. “The constant in my life is innovation,” says the TUM Alumna. “I am enthusiastic about everything that is new.”
In the healthcare industry at that time, that meant telemonitoring and digitalization. Carola Fuchs founded the e-health department at PARI and has since been developing digital services for lung disease patients worldwide. She was able to put together her own team, and now she works with more women than men at PARI. For a long time, it was the other way around.
Between Headwinds and Self-Confidence
In her class at a mathematics and science high school, Carola Fuchs was one of three girls; at university, the percentage was even lower, and this distribution continued throughout her career. Sometimes her superiors would make comments such as, “I haven’t had good experiences with women so far.” During a job interview, she was once asked if she wouldn’t rather stay at home with the children. “I found that rude,” says Carola Fuchs today. Nevertheless, quitting was never an option for her; she always found her work too exciting, too enriching, and too inspiring. “With each year of professional experience, your self-confidence also grows,” she says. “Because you establish yourself and can demonstrate experience that makes you very valuable.”
And now, according to the TUM Alumna, the world of work fortunately looks different. When it comes to balancing family and career, Carola Fuchs still advises sharing childcare responsibilities fairly between partners: “Then it’s possible to be happy in both roles.” Back then, her dual role even gave her an advantage. “Because I knew I had a second life outside of work.” Her children helped her switch off, leave the stress of work behind, and slow down. “A very helpful combination,” recalls the TUM Alumna.
Dr. Carola Fuchs has been head of the E-Health Solutions department at Pari in Starnberg since 2017 (Photo: Manu Theobald).
I often have wonderful moments that show me that my work is meaningful.
Carola Fuchs wants students at TUM to have the same feeling. In the beginning, she says, it’s not so important to know exactly where you want to go professionally. You can also develop broadly at first and find out what really inspires you; every experience counts. “There are always ways, and they can be unusual,” says Carola Fuchs. For example, you can start in the sewer system and end up in the healthcare industry.
Carola Fuchs (Photo: Manu Theobald).
Diploma Mechanical Engineering 1997
After studying mechanical engineering at TUM, Carola Fuchs earned her doctorate in biotechnology at the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg. She then returned to Munich and took over as head of the fermentation department at biotech start-up Anbics Laboratories.
This was followed by two years in Frankfurt, where she drove forward the further development of insulin pens at Sanofi-Aventis. The TUM Alumna has been working at PARI in Starnberg since 2006. Since 2017, she has been responsible for the e-health division as Senior Director and develops digital health solutions.
