Physicist

We are pleased to introduce to you our latest rOLe model:
Prof. Dr. Caterina Cocchi, Professor of Theoretical Solid-State Physics at the Physics Department, University of Oldenburg.

First published on instagram (@equality_uol) on 24 May 2022.

You can check out the Instagram page @est_uol – there you’ll find updates on research projects, events, and publications of Prof. Dr. Caterina Cocchi and her working group.

This Post portrays Physicist Prof. Dr. Caterina Cocchi. On this slide, she is shown in her lecture room.
Caterina Cocchi is a Professor of Theoretical Solid-State Physics at the Physics Department, University of Oldenburg. She explains her field of work in the following way: "I study the electronic structure of matter and I investigate how materials interact with light. To this end, I employ computer simulations based on quantum-mechanics."
Question to her: What made you want to go to science? Caterina answers: "As a teenager, I was very much into languages, literature, poetry and communication. In fact, I attended a high school with specialisation in humanistic studies, where I learned ancient Greek and Latin. But when I was approaching the end of my studies, I felt the urge to learn something new. I knew that I would always be reading and writing, would love the literature, would read and speak foreign languages. At that point in my life, when I was 19, I decided to study physics. There were several aspects that inspired me: My father has a degree in chemistry, and we have family friends who are professors in chemistry and physics, so this was a part of my environment ever since I was a child."
Caterina Cocchi in her office, discussing her research.Question to her: What is the achievement you are most proud of? Her answer: "I lead a group of 24 people from 14 different nationalities and all levels of careers, starting at bachelor students up to senior postdocs. Naturally, there are the ups and downs that are typical for any working environment, but the idea of heading such a diverse group and that these people are able to work together - that is something I’m very proud of. I managed to create this environment in which my group members can be happy and productive, and successful on their own. This is something I’m really proud of!"
Question: Did you have any inspiring model that influenced your career? Her answer: "When I started working on my Master's thesis, I had the fortune to meet whom I still consider my mentor: Elisa Molinari. She is a professor of theoretical solid-state physics at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. At that time, she was also director of the "CNR - Istituto Nanoscienze" in Modena. I consider her my role model, especially in the way she is able to envision the future and create scientific collaborations. To this day, whenever I am making a big decision in my career, I turn to her for advice. We are still very much connected. Elisa is the person who had the most tangible impact on my scientific career."
Question: Did you meet any barriers during your career as a scientific researcher? Her answer: "When I moved to Germany I could already speak the language and I had visited this country many times already. However, the impact of a culture that is quite different from my own was tough. This barrier appeared more pronounced as I became Junior Professor. I was coached by professionals who helped me with these issues and I am most grateful to the German academic system for having offered me these opportunities."
Caterinas advice to those who want to get into science: "The most important thing is to keep your goals in mind - and not to be drifted away. For many young scientists, science is primarily a passion. However, as soon as it becomes a job, it entails all the dynamics of a job. As in any profession, if you want to make a career, you should have goals and you should pursue them. There will be times in which your boss, supervisor or colleagues will try cut you short and want you to do something - and especially for people in early stages of their career, it is very difficult to say no. But it’s ok to say no, because in the end this will be your life and your career and not someone else’s. And I’m saying this also for the sake of science, because I believe good science needs people who have a positive attitude towards life in general, not just towards science. Stressed scientists do not produce good science."
Caterina at a conference that she had co-oraganized.Here is an overview regarding the countries and institutions where Caterina has been doing research:Italy: 2003 - 2006: Bachelor of Science in Physics, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaItaly: 2006 - 2009: Master of Science in Physics, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaItaly: 2009 - 2011: PhD student, Physics Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Supervisor: Prof. E. Molinari)Italy: 2012: Post-doctoral researcher, "Centro S3", CNR-Istituto Nanoscienze, Modena (Group of Prof. E. Molinari)Germany: 2013 - 2017: Post-doctoral researcher, Physics Department, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Group of Prof. C. Draxl)Germany: 2017 - 2020: Junior Professor, Physics Department, Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinGermany: 2020 - present: Full Professor of Theoretical Solid-State Physics, Physics Department, Universtiät Oldenburg, Oldenburg
The last question: What is your agenda for the coming months? Her answer: "I have a few projects that are running and some new ones that I would like to establish. Moreover, I will engage myself even further in the promotion of young and female scientists. I am organising a summer school in June for female scientists only and I am involved in the establishment of a postdoc program in Berlin which, for the first time, will be gender neutral. I believe this is absolutely important, because especially in the German system, the postdoc phase is a very delicate phase in which scientists are most vulnerable.I believe that if we manage to provide a support structure for postdocs, we will be able to grow a healthier and bigger generation of scientists for the future. This is what’s on my agenda: both advancement of science, but also advancement of scientists, especially young scientists."
Caterina giving a lecture at a summer school. We thank her a lot for participating in our "rOLe model" project!

rOLe models

IDM insta.equality.fk5uol