Interview
Why did you choose the Master’s programme in Food Science?
“The decision was relatively straightforward. I joined the Bio Science and Health Bachelor’s programme at a later Semester of study because I had previously studied pharmacy. Whilst studying pharmacy, I was part of a research group focusing on microbiology. I then discovered that there was also a microbiology research group at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, led by Professor Dirk Bockmühl. I started there as a Student assistant and carried out research projects as well as my Bachelor’s thesis. The Bachelor’s programme was very broad-based and practical, and that was exactly what I was hoping for from the Master’s in Food Science as well. I wanted to build on this broad foundation in the natural sciences by gaining knowledge in food science, but at the same time I wanted the opportunity to continue working in Prof. Bockmühl’s research group and to establish links between microbiology and food science. That worked out well, and I haven’t regretted for a second that I also did my Master’s degree at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences.”
What happened next in your career after you graduated?
“After my Master's thesis, I started as a Research Associate in Prof. Bockmühl's research group at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. There, I worked on industry projects and, at the same time, began my joint PhD programme with the University of Bonn. So, for the next three and a half years, I worked in Kleve and completed my PhD in Bonn, as Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, being a University of Applied Sciences, does not have its own right to award doctorates. Shortly before the end of my PhD, when I had finished writing my thesis and was waiting for the date of my oral examination, I was approached by Henkel because of my background in microbiology and applied hygiene; they already knew me from a joint project. That’s how I ended up at Henkel – it was a smooth transition.”
To put it simply: in your Master's thesis and your doctoral thesis, you looked at germs in coffee machines and washing machines. What sparked your interest in this field of research?
“Home hygiene affects everyone, and there are so many pieces of old wives’ wisdom that still ring true today – but there are also many things consumers don’t know, and that’s something you can communicate relatively quickly. And microbiology and hygiene are simply my passion.
For my Master's thesis, I wanted to combine my degree programme in Food Science with this passion. I always love working with things and objects that consumers use, so when it’s not quite so abstract. And I managed that very well in my Master's thesis, because almost everyone drinks coffee, almost everyone has a coffee machine at home, but we also buy a coffee when we’re out and about, in a café, in a restaurant or at the bakery round the corner. Coffee machines provide an ideal environment for bacteria: suitable, warm temperatures, moisture, coffee residues as a nutrient for microbial growth, and: we consumers come into contact with them. My aim was to bring all these elements together. We carried out the research in collaboration with the Consumer Advice Centre NRW because I also wanted to highlight the issue of sustainability. For example, we also investigated differences in bacterial contamination between takeaway cups and reusable cups. That was really enjoyable, and of course we were delighted that the media showed great interest in the results.
And my PhD thesis actually turned out in much the same way. The topic was the development of a European standard for determining the antimicrobial efficacy of domestic washing machines and domestic washing processes. Prof. Bockmühl and I worked in a consortium with many industry partners, such as Henkel, but also with other companies. That’s how it came about that I was also able to focus on a household appliance in my PhD thesis, which is again very consumer-oriented. Furthermore, washing has a great deal to do with sustainability, and that fitted in with the focus of my work: on the one hand, linking the topics of microbiology and hygiene with aspects of consumer health and consumer use of these appliances. But on the other hand, also exploring how one can contribute to sustainability by testing the appliances appropriately and, for example, helping to reduce energy consumption. Breaking down topics to their relevance for consumers is the common thread that has run through my work, even if it was more of a coincidence that both times it was household appliances.”
You are currently working at Henkel as ‘Manager Hygiene & Allergies’. What is your day-to-day work like?
“Since the middle of this year, I’ve been responsible for hygiene and allergies at a global level, specifically for all aspects of business support. You can picture it like this: my team and I try to demonstrate the antimicrobial/hygienic effects of our products at Henkel (e.g. laundry detergents, surface cleaners, etc.) visually, for example. And I’m part of what I’d call an in-house consultancy department, as I work with every department. So any question relating to hygiene and allergies at a global level is brought to me and dealt with by my team and me. So I need to be well-versed in the field of regulations and standards; I need to know what is permitted in Europe, the USA or Asia, what needs to be done if we wish to make specific claims about our products, and I have to work very closely with other departments across disciplines. Whether it’s the marketing department, which would like to make a new claim for our products, or with regulatory affairs or the central microbiology team. Or Product Development approaches me with topics such as probiotics, the consequences of microbial growth, or with specific questions, for example, how we can make our products more sustainable from a hygiene and microbiology perspective, and how we can work together to ensure that consumers recognise these effects and benefit from them. At the same time, it’s about how products can be made ‘greener’ and ensuring we don’t just rely on the traditional chemical approach. And I also work directly with consumers and contribute to consumer education. The interdisciplinary collaboration with experts from other areas is what I particularly value about my job and about Henkel: the idea of being ‘One Team’ and supporting one another to ensure we can deliver the best possible products for consumers!”
What do you particularly like about your job?
“I like the diversity, the variety, the interdisciplinary nature, the business focus, and the fact that this role challenges and supports me. Things don’t just happen overnight; you can’t know everything by heart, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for everything. Sometimes you have to think outside the box, and I personally really enjoy that. What I find absolutely brilliant is the interaction with consumers. The fact that my team sees the impact of what we’ve developed, how it’s received by consumers, but also how it’s received at Henkel – that is, how much of it we can sell and what the sales figures are. Of course, it takes time for a new product to hit the shelves, but eventually I go into the shop and there’s a new washing powder, and I know the claims on the label wouldn’t be there if I hadn’t worked on them. And that’s a great feeling. We have many products in the Laundry and Homecare range; hygiene and allergies play a role in all of them, so I’m involved in almost everything to some extent.
And Henkel is a great employer. For example, we have an ambitious sustainability strategy for the next ten years that I can really identify with personally. And the fact that I can make a contribution to that, however small it may sometimes be, makes me feel a bit proud too.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
“In principle, it’s relatively simple: I want to develop both personally and professionally, which means I’d like to take on even more responsibility in my job, work strategically with larger teams and help shape the future. Another goal of mine is to spend time abroad. I want to gain international experience with other cultures, as I believe this will benefit me greatly both professionally and personally. By ‘abroad’, I really do mean a different continent; that’s a major, important point for me. I also want to have achieved professional fulfilment in such a way that I can still exert influence and continue to pursue the goals that drive me personally. Making the world a better place sounds a bit abstract, but I’d like to play a small part in ensuring we can create a better world for future generations.
And I do hope that in 15 years’ time, when Prof. Bockmühl retires, I’ll be able to take over his professorship (laughs). Well, that’s a bit of a joke, but in principle I can imagine returning to the academic world later in my career. For example, I also run a lot of training sessions, both internally and sometimes externally, and I really enjoy teaching people and sparking their enthusiasm. I was a Student assistant, a research assistant, a PhD student; I supervised internships and gave lectures, and I always enjoyed that too. And I’m still in close contact with Prof. Bockmühl as my supervisor, and what he’s achieved and built up at the university has to be carried on by someone at some point (laughs).”
When I think back to my time as a student at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, I think of...
… “First and foremost, that’s where I met my wife Laura – we’ve been together for 10 years. But I also think of the fantastic campus and the excellent laboratory facilities, which give students plenty of opportunities to realise their potential. You get a superb grounding that allows you to develop in any direction, and the strong practical focus – whether through lab work or the Internship semester in a company – is incredibly valuable.
When I was doing my Bachelor’s degree, I never imagined that I’d one day be working in a role like this at Henkel. So yes, when I think of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, I think of the countless opportunities available – but you have to be willing to seize and make the most of them. And then you have every freedom to develop personally, academically and professionally, and to lay the foundations for any career.
What I find really important is that it’s not just me – there are many other examples of former students from Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences who have gone on to complete the highest level of academic training, a PhD. Through a collaborative PhD programme with universities, this is also possible at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. So you can go one step further after your Master’s degree, even if you’re ‘only’ studying at a University of Applied Sciences.”
Date of interview: January 2022