Dominic Bräm: «Research is most exciting when you have to break out of your usual way of thinking»

If I wasn't working in research, my dream job would be...
Cook or ship's captain.

I became...
Pharmacometrician.

What fascinates me about research...
constantly facing new questions that you can solve with your own experience, new knowledge, discussions with other experts and creativity.

«Research means constantly finding new solutions with experience, curiosity and creativity.»

I gained my first research experience as a...
Scouts exploring the forests with their plants and animals.

I would like to solve the following research question...
How can therapies be customised as efficiently as possible for each individual patient?

In research, I particularly appreciate...
that you achieve the best results when you work together. Interdisciplinary collaborations are particularly exciting, where you come into contact with new issues and problems and often have to work outside your usual way of thinking.

Have you already carried out projects with the PFZ or are you currently planning a project with the PFZ...
No, unfortunately no projects. But nice coffee breaks 😉

My current project is...
How machine learning can be used to develop pharmacometric models directly on the basis of clinical data - without the previous iterative approaches.

What I particularly like about my current job...
that I am surrounded by experts from a wide range of specialist areas from whom I can learn a lot. Also that we can work on innovative methods.

I don't like my current job that much...
writing the introduction for scientific publications.

Who/what inspires me and why...
Nature, because it is full of fascinating ideas.

What advice would I give even my 18-year-old self...
Enjoy life as a Kanti student as much as you would advise your 10-year-old self to enjoy their time as a primary school pupil.

If I could work with a famous scientist for one day, it would be...
Ignaz Semmelweis - because his research into hospital hygiene saved countless lives, but he was not recognised during his lifetime. It would be nice if he could find out what influence his research had.

«My favourite music? For writing reports: classical music. For programming: Hardcore techno.»

What is my favourite type of music to listen to when I want to concentrate on my research work?
For writing reports: classical music. For programming: Hardcore techno.

What is important to me...
mutual respect and an openness to other ideas and people.

On Sunday mornings I like to do...
little.

What's surprising about me is that...
I can play the didgeridoo - including circular breathing.

The best thing that has happened to me so far in 2024...
the time I was able to spend with my family, my girlfriend and my friends.

My current wish is...
to complete my PhD.

The last book I read was...
Near the coast by Joachim Schmidt.

I would take the following 3 things with me to a desert island...
a pocket knife, a piano and a volleyball called Wilson.