Twofold success for MHB researcher Dr. Johanna Tennigkeit

Brandenburg an der Havel, 31 July 2026

Dr. Johanna Tennigkeit attended one of the most renowned congresses for young scientists worldwide, the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. Nominated by the MHB, she was chosen by the Lindau Council via an international selection procedure. Over 600 young researchers from more than 90 countries came together with Nobel laureates for the 75th anniversary of the meeting. The interdisciplinary agenda included lectures, panel discussions and formats of face-to-face conversation with Nobel Prize winners. The focus was on latest developments in natural sciences, scientific excellence, international collaboration and the social responsibility of researchers. International networking and exchange across disciplines were further key elements of the event. Dr. Tennigkeit used this special opportunity to gain new perspectives and establish international contacts for future collaboration.

Postdoc receives Walter Benjamin fellowship from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft e.V.

Dr. Johanna Tennigkeit also receives a Walter Benjamin scholarship from the German Research Foundation (DFG) for a two-year research period at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore (USA) with Prof. Hugh Calkins (cardiology/electrophysiology). He is an expert of international renown in the field of cardiology, specifically for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARCV), or heart rhythm disorders. During her stay in Baltimore, Dr. Tennigkeit plans to continue her research activities in translational electrophysiology and ARCV. The aim of the pertinent project entitled "Smartphone-Based Physical Activity Monitoring and Ventricular Arrhythmic Risk in Gene-Elusive Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: A Prospective Pilot Study" is a prospective cohort study with a 12-month follow-up time to record the day-to-day physical activity of ARCV patients via their own smartphones. Data material won in this way is expected to identify possible correlations between physical activity and arrhythmia. Previous support for Dr. Tennigkeit’s work came from the MHB Clinician Scientist Program and from a grant of the German Society of Cardiology, Heart and Circulation Research (DGK).

The Walter Benjamin Program helps scientists in the early career stages after a doctorate to pursue an independent research project at a site of their choice. The idea is to promote scientific independence and mobility. The DFG series “Prospects” describes this format of individual grants in an online presentation (in English) on 31 August 2026 between 10 and 11:30 a.m.