Dr. Chiara Löffler
Dr. Chiara Löffler was born in Leipzig and studied medicine at RWTH Aachen University after graduating from high school. Following her studies, Löffler completed her doctorate in the field of artificial intelligence for the prediction of gene mutations from histological images in various tumor entities. Internships in Paris and New York shaped her training. Since 2023, Dr. Löffler has been a clinical scientist at the Else Kröner-Fresenius Center for Digital Health (EKFZ) at Dresden University Hospital. There, she works in the "Clinical AI" department on AI applications in healthcare, with a focus on precision oncology. The interdisciplinarity between medicine and computer science opens up a dynamic field in which one is constantly confronted with new challenges.
"I've always found it fascinating to delve really deeply into a topic - with the freedom to examine things from different perspectives and not just stay on the surface."
However, Dr. Löffler is not only motivated to pursue an academic career by her fascination, but also by interdisciplinary collaboration. The constant exchange with colleagues within the research group plays an important role for her and shapes her daily work. In Löffler's experience, role models also have a motivating effect, especially on young scientists. They "can tease out many positive aspects and skills from you that you might not have been able to do yourself."
Dr. Löffler has also been accompanied by several role models on her path so far. Medical colleagues in Aachen or Dresden, as well as experts she has met as part of her podcast "AbendVisite". Friends and family also inspire her in her everyday life, as "role models (...) don't always have tobefar away or 'unattainable'".
In addition to her research, Dr. Löffler is also involved in science communication. Together with her colleague Dr. Hannah Muti, she sheds light on everyday medical life and current issues in medicine in her podcast "AbendVisite". The two scientists received the TUD Young Scientists Award for Excellence in Science Communication in 2025 for their work.
Dr. Löffler advises young female scientists who are aiming for an academic career:
"Don't do it out of a sense of duty or because others expect it of you - but because you really care about the subject and enjoy it. Passion goes much further than mere ambition. And even if it sometimes feels bumpy or tough along the way, things often fall into place over time. The important thing is to have confidence in yourself, stay positive and look for people who will honestly support you (...)."