Great joy at MPI CEC and especially among the trainee team: Jana Brylak, a former trainee chemical laboratory assistant, was honored by the Essen Chamber of Industry and Commerce as the best in her year in Mülheim an der Ruhr. The 22-year-old completed her training at MPI CEC with outstanding results and is now the subject of a recent newspaper article that profiles her impressive career and her enthusiasm for chemistry.

Jana Brylak knew early on that she wanted to understand “how our world works”. Inspired by her chemistry teacher in upper secondary school and fascinated by basic research, she decided to pursue an apprenticeship at the MPI CEC after graduating from high school. “The MPI convinced me more,” she recalls of the selection process. “Here, you can directly experience how research is done - that fascinated me.” During her training, she worked in various laboratory areas, including biochemistry, where she gained valuable practical experience. Particularly important for her were the many “aha moments” in which theoretical knowledge and practical application complemented each other.

The fact that Jana Brylak is now the best in her year in Mülheim comes as no surprise to her training supervisor Patricia Malkowski: “Jana is a dream laboratory assistant. She has impressed us with her diligence, curiosity and enthusiasm for her work.” With her award, Jana joins a long line of successful young professionals who have completed their training at the MPI CEC with top marks - proof of the high standard and personal support that the institute offers its trainees.

Training at the MPI CEC has been considered exemplary within the Max Planck Society for years. The institute has received multiple awards for its outstanding joint training work with its neighboring institute (MPI für Kohlenforschung), most recently the Max Planck Society's Training Centre Award. The training concept focuses on practical relevance, variety and individual support: trainees learn about different disciplines, work closely with international researchers and receive additional support in the form of in-house lessons to supplement their vocational school education. This commitment is bearing fruit - many graduates are regularly among the best in their year.

Jana Brylak is also continuing on her path: after successfully completing her training and spending a year as a laboratory assistant at the MPI CEC, she is now planning to study chemistry. “I want to understand things even more deeply, down to the smallest detail,” she says with a smile - expressing precisely what good research and good education have in common: passion, curiosity and the desire to understand the world a little better.