SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

Faculty: Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences
Department(s): Physics, Center for Free-Electron Laser Science (CFEL)
Profile: Prof. Dr. Florian Grüner

What are your research areas? What research projects are you currently working on? How do these relate to “your” SDG?

One of my research areas is the development of new imaging methods in the field of medicine for uses such as the early detection of tumors. Another future area of application is pharmacokinetics, which is the study of how medications are broken down and processed by the body.

This naturally links directly to health.

How and why did you become interested in this topic?

My primary field of research is the development of laser-based x-ray sources. The question is of course what we can do with such sources. Medical imaging is one possibility. Over the course of my research, I have seen how important it still is even today to keep pushing the limits of medical imaging.

What activities are you planning as part of the SDG sponsorship? What possibilities do you see in (interdisciplinary) networking with other members of your sponsorship team?

At the KNU, I am intensively involved in the networking of interdisciplinary research—so, close cooperation between medicine, physics, biology, chemistry, and the nanosciences. I would like to further this cooperation. This type of research is especially attractive to students, hence we should perhaps also consider interdisciplinary teaching.

Is your topic related to any of the 16 other SDGs?

Yes, it is related to SDG 4 and SDG 9.

Faculty: Psychology and Human Movement
Department(s): Psychology
Profile: PD Dr. Kirsten Hötting

What are your research areas? What research projects are you currently working on? How do these relate to “your” SDG?

In my research, I study how the brain can be changed by experience. Our brain’s ability to adapt to new situations is referred to as neuroplasticity. In my current research projects, I am studying whether neuroplasticity and thus our ability to learn can be increased through movement training. We want to discover what forms of movement training facilitate specific cognitive functions and identify the underlying mechanisms by which movement influences cognitive processes. Regular exercise and sport can contribute to the maintenance of cognitive performance throughout our lifetime and thus to the long-term preservation of health and well-being.

How and why did you become interested in this topic?

I was already fascinated by brain research during my university studies because it helps us to better understand the biological processes behind our perception and behavior. My current study consists of basic research into how movement influences neuroplasticity and cognitive processes. I am motivated by the thought that, in the long term, my results could be incorporated into the design of prevention programs to combat age-related cognitive decline.

What activities are you planning as part of the SDG sponsorship? What possibilities do you see in (interdisciplinary) networking with other members of your sponsorship team?

I look forward to networking with colleagues from other fields of study to gain additional perspectives on the topics of cognitive health and well-being in order to initiate new research ideas together.

Is your topic related to any of the 16 other SDGs?

It is connected to SDG 4 (Quality Education), in particular in the context of promoting life-long learning.

Faculty: Business, Economics and Social Sciences
Department(s): Socioeconomics, Economics
Profile: Prof. Dr. Mathias Kifmann

What are your research areas? What research projects are you currently working on? How do these relate to “your” SDG?

My core research area is health economics, in particular the analysis of health insurance markets and service providers’ behavior. The focus is on creating framework conditions that permit a good and affordable healthcare system for all.

How and why did you become interested in this topic?

Health is essential for human well-being. In many countries of the world, access to good healthcare is not a matter of course. Even in Germany, it is difficult for certain groups to access good healthcare. As an economist, I can highlight ways and means of creating a good, affordable healthcare system for all.

What activities are you planning as part of the SDG sponsorship? What possibilities do you see in (interdisciplinary) networking with other members of your sponsorship team?

We don’t have any activities planned yet. I would like to get to know the other members first.

Is your topic related to any of the 16 other SDGs?

Health is closely connected to many of the SDGs, especially those relating to basic needs:

• SDG 1 (No Poverty)
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

Faculty: Business, Economics and Social Sciences
Department(s): Economics
Profile: Jun.-Prof. Dr. Jan Marcus

What are your research areas? What research projects are you currently working on? How do these relate to “your” SDG?

• Education and mortality
• Unemployment and health (and health-related behavior)

While the first project looks at a factor that improves health (education), the second project examines a factor that has a more negative impact on health (unemployment).

How and why did you become interested in this topic?

 Experiences among my friends and acquaintances.

What activities are you planning as part of the SDG sponsorship? What possibilities do you see in (interdisciplinary) networking with other members of your sponsorship team?

Health is a complex issue. It therefore makes good sense to view health not from the single perspective of one discipline but instead from a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach. Accordingly, I hope that interdisciplinary networking with other members of the sponsorship team will grant me new insights into the topics of health and well-being.

Is your topic related to any of the 16 other SDGs?

SDG 4 (Quality Education)

Faculty: Business, Economics and Social Sciences
Department(s): Economics
Profile: Prof. Thomas Siedler, (PhD)