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Dr. FrankaSchröder-Pernet

Negotiation und Self-Confidence and Assertiveness

What are your professional milestones?

  • Doctoral thesis at RWTH Aachen University: Basic research on particle deposition in the human lung during exhalation. When I graduated in 2015, no one was really interested in this topic. Since 2020, the topic has been on everyone’s lips.
  • Scuderia Toro Rosso, England: Measurement technology from the doctoral thesis integrated in the Formula 1 wind tunnel. Making a very scientific application practical for an industry that would have preferred to have the results of the measurement today the day before yesterday.
  • Scuderia Toro Rosso, Italy: simulations during the week and race support from the factory on weekends. It doesn’t matter if it’s Japan or Brazil. I was on the grid for 2 years for 22 races each.
  • Sauber Motorsport AG, Switzerland: Research work on measurement accuracy in the Formula 1 wind tunnel and install new measurement systems. Round 2 in the wind tunnel.

What is your most defining career experience?

Before moving from England to Italy, I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to handle this new professional challenge because I had to learn a lot of new things. My dad said to me at the time: You’re in your early 30s and not about to retire. You will still be given new tasks very often in your career, where you will first be a beginner. But with time, you’ll also have expertise in the field. Surprise: He was right!

What do you recommend to applicants for the Femtec Career-Building Programme?

Reach for the stars! I’ve been telling people for more than 20 years that I want to be in Formula 1. Most people thought it was impossible. Nothing is impossible as long as you believe in yourself.