DGKJ honors young MHB researcher for abstract presentation

Neuruppin, 9 April 2026

Josephine Stark, young researcher at the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB), performed with success: The German Society of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ) hosted a research meeting on pediatric health in Frankfurt/Main from 5 to 7 March 2026, where Stark earned a second place in an abstract competition endowed with € 500.  
The student was honored for the presentation of her findings gained in the context of the work group “Medicine and Society”. Dr. med. Stefan Reinsch is in charge of the work group and mentor of the doctoral project at the Zentrum für Studiengangsentwicklung, Aus- und Weiterbildungsforschung Brandenburg (ZSAW-BB), an MHB educational research facility in Neuruppin. According to him, the jury was most impressed by the style of her presentation which indicated much enthusiasm for the topic.

About 50 young researchers from pediatrics and adolescent medicine took part in the advanced training for which they had to submit a scientific abstract. The program comprised presentations, introductory speeches on the significance of pediatric research and funding options, and workshops to explore scientific methods and discuss specific projects. In addition, a workshop with Prof. Kühnen from the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin offered the chance to upgrade presentation skills.
  
Apart from the scientific quality of the research project, the jury also acknowledged its presentation. Prof. Stefanie Oess, MHB professor of biochemistry, is pleased with the feedback and feels confirmed in the decision to integrate a scientific traineeship into the Brandenburg Medical Model Curriculum: “At the MHB, this traineeship concludes with the presentation of findings at a poster congress. This gives students an early opportunity to present research findings in preparation for future congress appearances.”  

Prof. Olaf Ahlers, co-director of the ZSAW-BB and head of the Institute of Health Sciences Research, also sees the award as validation of the MHB approach, i.e. practice-oriented medical training combined with the acquisition of research competences as defined by the National Catalog of Competence Based Learning Objectives in Medicine.

Research on family planning among people suffering from mucoviscidosis

The prize-winning research project (original title: Der Einfluss gelebter Erfahrungen auf die reproduktive Entscheidungsfindung von Menschen mit Mukoviszidose) explores ways in which people suffering from mucoviscidosis make decisions concerning family planning and the impact of personal experience in this process.

Doctoral student Josephine Stark is currently in her Practical Year. She points to advances in medicine, specifically so called modulator therapies, which considerably improved life prospects for many people suffering from mucoviscidosis over the past years: “The number of pregnancies has increased accordingly. This underlines the challenges for people with cystic fibrosis to take decisions regarding reproduction.”

People with mucoviscidosis as well as members of treatment teams were interviewed on personal experiences and perspectives in the context of a qualitative study. The aim was a better understanding of factors influencing reproductive decisions and of the type of support affected individuals expect from their team of carers.