Interview Ute Armbruster

Ute Armbruster was appointed to the W2 professorship position at the Institute for Molecular Photosynthesis, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, in November 2022. In an interview she tells us about the focus of her research and what she likes most about Düsseldorf.

Where did you work before and what has been the focus of your research so far?

Many places, including New Zealand for an internship and my Master’s thesis and the San Francisco Bay area (Carnegie Institution and UC Berkeley) for my postdoc. For the past eight years I was a group leader at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology in Potsdam.

Since starting my PhD, my research focus has been on understanding the regulation of photosynthesis and the biogenesis of photosynthetic membranes in plants.

"CEPLAS is a highly collaborative environment of top scientist from multiple disciplines..."

What were your main reasons to join CEPLAS?

CEPLAS is a highly collaborative environment of top scientist from multiple disciplines all seeking to advance knowledge of plant science under the same umbrella. I believe that the research of my group will strongly benefit from this unique environment.

What will be your research focus at CEPLAS?

The same as previously, but very open for newly emerging questions within the context of CEPLAS.

Have you already settled in well in Düsseldorf and at the University? What do you like most about Düsseldorf?

Setting up a new institute at the HHU takes up a lot of time, leaving little time to explore the region. However, I was positively surprised how green the city is. When I take my bike to work, about 90% of the route is through parks, very pleasant.