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Andreas Poschenrieder decided to become a mentor back then because he enjoys meeting people and wanted to give something back to TUM. But also because he knows what it feels like when you are still starting your career. “You should always have a mentor,” says the TUM Alumnus. “Whether privately or at work. Someone who is interested in the other person and their development and can provide food for thought or advice in certain situations.”

Lots of questions? In the mentoring program you have time for answers

Duygu Aydin and Andreas Poschenrieder have been working together as a mentoring tandem for four years now. Initially, the two met weekly, but now they see each other about once a quarter, depending on the arrangement, always with questions on their minds. “Duygu makes it easy for me. She prepares specific questions and topics in advance to make it easier for her to make decisions in difficult phases,” says Andreas Poschenrieder. He sees himself as an independent source who can also dispel doubts. “We’re all in our bubble, so it’s not a bad thing to have a discussion partner who can look at the situation from the outside without emotion,” says mentor Andreas Poschenrieder.

Biochemistry, pharmacy, nuclear medicine: experience in all areas

When she has decisions to make, says Duygu Aydin, Andreas helps her to act purposefully. “It’s very helpful to have someone as a sounding board to discuss things with.” To this day, their discussions take place digitally, as Andreas Poschenrieder lives in Geneva, an hour’s flight from Munich. He works there for a company that develops radioligand therapies for cancer patients in the field of nuclear medicine. He brings experience from science and industry to the mentorship: Before his job at the pharmaceutical company, he completed a doctorate in pharmaceutical radiochemistry at TUM – a field that Duygu Aydin also finds exciting. In biochemistry, she says, you are more often interested in basic research, while nuclear medicine provides a relatively quick overview, from research to application in humans. “You have a direct effect on the patient, which I really like,” she says.

Duygu Aydin is currently working on her doctoral thesis in the field of anesthesiology. “Towards the end of my doctorate, I will of course have another conversation with Andreas,” she says. Perhaps even in person, as this is still on the alumni’s joint to-do list. “When I’m back in Munich, I’ll think of you,” says Andreas Poschenrieder. “When I’m in Geneva, I’ll let you know,” replies Duygu Aydin.