UNI NOVA – Research Magazine of the University of Basel

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  Research

  Chemistry between the stars.

  Text: Angelika Jacobs / Astrochemist Jutta Toscano studies how molecules react with one another in the coldest and darkest regions of space. Her aim: to better understand the nature of the universe.

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  Research

  A diamond as a quantum sensor.

  Text: Andreas Lorenz-Meyer / With a high-precision quantum sensor, the Basel-based startup Qnami is opening up new insights into matter and computer chips — and therefore opportunities for the computers of the future.

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  Alumni

  A leap from science to industry.

  Interview: Céline Emch / How does a nanoscientist end up in the insurance industry? Marco Krummenacher talks to us about how he launched his postresearch career.

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  Alumni

  Touchdown in life.

  Text: Céline Emch / Greg Starek combines scientific precision with a passion for sports. His path has taken him from biophysics at the University of Basel to the data department at the National Football League in the United States.

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  Research

  Understanding how politics works.

  Text: Daniel Höhmann, political scientist* / Daniel Höhmann has been interested in politics since his school days. However, he was less interested in active participation and more in looking at political processes. Today, his research focuses on the question of how women are represented in politics.

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  Research

  Girls are better at languages, boys are better at math — true or false?

  Text: Jana Lindner / The cliché holds that girls have an affinity for languages, boys for technology. Parents and teachers can help to prevent this becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

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  In conversation

  Joint research efforts to fight the next epidemic.

  Interview*: Angelika Jacobs / Emma Hodcroft is investigating how our coexistence with viruses changes both us and the pathogens. In terms of diseases such as bird flu and Ebola, she is concerned about the USA and the slashing of science and development aid under the current administration.

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  Dossier

  News by song.

  Text: Noëmi Kern / Before we had mass media, people’s voices were instrumental in disseminating news. A research project looks at vocal culture in the early modern period.

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  Dossier

  From Elvis to Adele.

  Text: Christoph Dieffenbacher / Even today, songs have a marked influence on international pop culture. The individual voice is as important as the lyrics in conveying the message.