Sabine Reither, a research associate at FMI’s Facility for Advanced Imaging and Microscopy, shares her passion for supporting researchers, her goals as a newly elected employee representative, and her creative pursuits in photography.
What sparked your interest in science?
I became curious about science in school, especially in biology classes. I was fascinated by understanding how our bodies work and how different aspects of life are interconnected. That curiosity led me to study biology.
Did you always want to work in a lab?
Actually, no. When I started my biology degree, I was sure I’d work in ecology because I love being in nature. But during my studies, I realized that the most exciting things were happening in the lab. For my diploma thesis, I focused on DNA methylation, which gave me a strong molecular biology background.
Can you tell us about your transition to microscopy?
For a few months, I worked as a visiting scientist in a laboratory at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany, where I got introduced to microscopy. Then, I got a position in the imaging facility there. That’s where I truly learned microscopy and what it means to provide it as a service.
What’s your role in FMI’s Facility for Advanced Imaging and Microscopy?
I focus on high-content screening, which involves microscopy-based assays with a large number of samples. This includes managing multi-plate experiments, supporting sample preparation, and training users on the microscope, which is a complex machine with robotics. I guide researchers from the start of their projects, helping them optimize their assays for high throughput. It’s exciting because I’m involved in diverse projects, from 3D human organoids to 2D mouse cell monolayers.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love supporting people and being helpful. Over the years, I’ve learned many tips and tricks that make researchers’ lives easier. It’s satisfying to share that knowledge.
What motivated you to become an employee representative?
I believe it’s important for FMI employees to have a voice. I was also curious about the legal aspects of running a research institute and wanted to learn more about how decisions are made.
How do you view the future of employee representation at FMI?
We’d like to be more visible, so we’re working on improving our presence on the intranet and seeking input from employees. There’s also potential to revive initiatives such as regular all-staff meetings, which were paused during COVID. Collaboration with PhD and postdoc representatives is another goal, especially on shared issues such as mental health in a high-performance environment.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I love being in nature - walking, hiking, cycling - and I also enjoy photography. My photography is unique because I use long exposures and move the camera to create blurry images. It’s a contrast to the precise, focused imaging required at work. This year, my husband and I even had an exhibition showcasing our different photographic styles, which received great feedback.
Sabine Reither pursued her biology studies at the University of Giessen in Germany before earning a PhD from the University of Saarbrücken. After a stint as a visiting scientist in Carsten Schultz’s lab at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, she worked for 9 years as a Scientific Officer at EMBL’s Advanced Light Microscopy Facility. In 2022, Sabine joined the FMI’s Facility for Advanced Imaging and Microscopy as a Resarch Associate.
