Andreas Rowald, PhD - Associate Professor
Andreas Rowald, PhD - Associate Professor at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
Where are you from, and what is your educational background?
I was born and raised in Germany and studied Physics at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). During my studies, I had the opportunity to work, study, and research at various national and international institutions. I conducted my master's thesis at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), focusing on computational simulations of how neuromodulation influences spinal circuits to restore motor function after paralysis. I continued and expanded this research during my PhD in the same lab at EPFL.
Right after your PhD, you obtained a group leader position at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg. We often hear that securing a university group leader position typically requires one, two, or even three postdoc positions. What led you to this opportunity immediately after your PhD?
Towards the end of my PhD, I knew that I wanted a position that allowed me to develop an independent vision. Rather than restricting myself to traditional paths, I only explored career options that aligned with my individual interests and goals. After months of searching online, I found an opportunity that fit. I took the time to understand the role’s requirements and built a strong case for myself, emphasizing key qualifications like high-impact publications and funding experience. It worked.
What is the main focus of your research lab?
My primary interest is improving the quality of life for people with neurological disorders by enhancing neurostimulation therapies and streamlining patient pathways. My approach revolves around three pillars:
Uncovering the mechanisms behind these therapies by computationally modeling their biophysical interactions with the nervous system.
Virtually prototyping effective therapies.
Building smart, automated clinical decision-support tools.
The goal: more efficient and effective, personalized patient care.
How do you approach collaboration, both within your institution and with external partners?
I start by identifying gaps between current clinical practice and stakeholder needs (clinicians, patients, caregivers, and medical device manufacturers). Then, I design a technological solution that optimally balances these needs. This process reveals scientific challenges, guiding us toward experts who can help bridge them. I reach out, discuss mutual goals, and build collaborations where I see a high potential for value creation and synergies.
How did you adapt from being a PhD student to a group leader?
Having gained some leadership experience during my PhD was a huge advantage. Still, the transition to leading my own group was and remains one of the most challenging and exciting phases of my career. I quickly realized how much I had yet to learn. To navigate this, I adopted an iterative approach: set clear objectives, break them into measurable tasks, allocate resources, execute, evaluate results, refine the process, repeat.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Writing, whether it’s a grant proposal, a research paper, or even a personal strategy document. Writing forces me to deeply analyze problems, trace the evolution of a thought, and envision future breakthroughs. Few things feel more rewarding.
What were the biggest challenges you faced in becoming a group leader right after your PhD?
Funding and financial administration. I had little prior experience in these areas, so that required a steep learning curve.
What skills beyond scientific expertise have been most crucial in your success as a group leader and now as an associate professor?
Writing again. I aim to dedicate four hours a day to it. Until I write an idea down, I can’t fully grasp it. Once I do, I immediately spot flaws and unanswered questions. This forces me to review what is known and then refine and structure my thoughts, turning vague ideas into concrete plans. Eventually, these unstructured manuscripts turn into grant proposals, scientific publications, and other concrete outputs.
What piece of advice has had the greatest impact on your professional development?
My mother, who was born and raised in Greece, often repeats an ancient Spartan saying to me that roughly translates to: "Either with it or on it." Spartan mothers told their sons to return from battle either with their shield (which meant they were victorious) or on it (which meant they fell in battle). Fleeing—and thus dropping the heavy shield to run faster was not an option. Whenever I set my mind to something, I remember her words. They remind me that, for me, the only real failure is not giving it my everything.
What can I wish you for the years to come?
Acceleration.
Andreas’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-rowald-272a75142/
