Hi, I’m vin!

  • 2021 – 2022

    In work placements in Germany, Ghana, and Cuba, I explored what decolonizing science can look like in different contexts. One highlight was that I got to work on a virtual exhibition on the literary life of Kwame Nkrumah with the Library of Africa and the African Diaspora (LOATAD) while in Accra, Ghana.

    Another highlight followed shortly after in September 2022, when I co-organized and hosted a session at the Science Summit at the UN General Assembly entitled Towards Decolonized Science: Global Policy Dialogue. Together with 7 colleagues from around the world – Samia Chasi, Chuckie Calsado, Jorge Moreno Soto, James Poskett, Aline Marcele Ghilardi, Ocean Mercier, and Caleb Mandikonza – we discussed what decolonizing science means and how to move towards that goal.

  • 2023

    Theory and labwork are great, but as a true experimentalist, I naturally had to get my hands dirty in the field as well.

    In 2023, I therefore dedicated several months to learning about permaculture and improving my Spanish skills while working on two farms – Finca Sin Fronteras (No Borders Farm) in Colombia, and Igloo Kokolo in Mexico.

  • 2023 – 2025

    After coming back to Germany for personal reasons, I continued my involvement around the topic of decolonizing science by participating in conferences, giving workshops, and launching the website https://decolonizescience.org/ as a repository for information around the topic.

    Professionally, my focus moved more towards science education and communication.

    Most recently, I was the project lead for TüftelLab’s Quantum Career project. My job was co-developing the engagement strategy and content. We developed playful and interactive educational content on everything quantum – from workshops and games on quantum phenomena, technology, to teacher trainings. Together with Goethe Institutes in five European cities, we also curated programs like the Karriere Quantum Camps. A mobile exhibition – Quantenzirkus – started touring in March 2025.

  • Late 2025 onwards

    I’m just as passionate about using science as a tool for social transformation — and about doing my part to change how we teach, do, and think about research.

    My current focus is on transitioning into soil biogeochemistry as a postdoctoral researcher, as I believe that is where I can best combine my skills and make a difference in the long run. I am currently a guest researcher at the ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF).

    In recent months, I’ve built a portfolio of projects at the intersection of environmental research, microbial ecology, and plant-soil interactions — combining my analytical chemistry background with computational tools to tackle questions such as forest carbon cycling.

    I continue offering freelance services in science communication and data visualization for researchers and impact-led organizations.

    Check out my freelance services here.