Farewell symposium in honor of Dr Petra Rettberg
- Farewell symposium for Dr Petra Rettberg, head of the Astrobiology working group at the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine
- Honouring her many years of work in the field of astrobiology and its significance for international research
The farewell symposium for Dr. Petra Rettberg, head of the Astrobiology working group at the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine, took place on the occasion of her retirement. The symposium honored Petra Rettberg's outstanding scientific career. Her many years of work in the field of astrobiology and her extraordinary contribution to the scientific community were particularly emphasized.
The symposium was opened by Institute Director Prof. Dr. Jens Jordan. Afterwards, PD Dr. Christine Hellweg, Head of the Department of Radiation Biology, paid tribute to Petra Rettberg's scientific life with personal insights and showed videos from her career.
Dr. Hubertus Thomas (DLR, Institute of Materials Physics in Space) introduced the scientific part of the symposium with his lecture “Microbiology and Plasma” on the applicability of plasma in medical and technological issues. Dr. Stephan Ulamec (DLR, MUSC) then presented exciting insights into the Rosetta mission and the historic landing of the Philae probe on a comet in his lecture “Petra and the Protection of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko”. In “Sunny Skies - a research project off the beaten track”, Dr. Matthias Meier (DLR, Institute of Aerospace Medicine) discussed the UV exposure of pilots in the cockpit. In a video contribution, Prof. Dr. Christine Moissl-Eichinger (Medical University of Graz) explained the joint scientific work with Petra Rettberg and underlined its importance for international research.
The second session was opened by Prof. Dr. Reinhard Rachel (University of Regensburg) with a lecture on electron microscopy and electron tomography entitled “Microbes, viruses, cells, seen by electron microscopy and electron tomography”. In her contribution, Prof. Dr. Pascale Ehrenfreund (George Washington University, COSPAR President) highlighted the joint projects with Petra Rettberg and her outstanding work within COSPAR and in the field of Planetary Protection.
Finally, Petra Rettberg herself looked back on her impressive scientific career at DLR. Farewell words and greetings were delivered by Dr. Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic (DLR, Institute of Aerospace Medicine).
The afternoon ended in a convivial atmosphere and all participants expressed their best wishes for Petra Rettberg's retirement.