Girls’ Day 2025: Insights into Leukemia Research at CATCH ALL

On April 3rd, 2025, the CATCH ALL research unit at University Clinic Schleswig Holstein, Campus Kiel (UKSH) welcomed young students for Girls’ Day, offering a first-hand look into the world of leukemia research. This nationwide initiative encourages students from grades 5 to 10 to explore career paths beyond traditional gender roles.

Under the theme “Insights into Modern Cancer Research: From Patient Sample to Treatment”, the seven participants learned about acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and the role of the immune system in fighting this disease. After a brief introduction, they moved to the laboratory, where they observed leukemia cells under the microscope and had the chance to perform hands-on experiments. The program then shifted to the bioinformatics section, where students explored how patient samples are analyzed at the molecular level. Finally, they discovered how translational research bridges the gap between lab discoveries and clinical treatments.

The session was led by Sophie Steinhäuser (PostDoc, lab research), Nadine Wolgast (PhD student, bioinformatics), and Alina M. Hartmann (PostDoc, bioinformatics). Through interactive activities and real-world applications, the event provided an inspiring glimpse into the diverse career opportunities in cancer research. “Initiatives like this are a great opportunity for us to inspire young women from such diverse backgrounds for science!” says Sophie Steinhäuser. “And who knows, maybe we will see each other again at university in a few years!” adds Alina Hartmann.