Alumna in portrait: Dr. Isabel Allegro

Isabel Allegro completed her bachelor's degree in physics engineering at the Universidade Nova de Lisboa in Portugal. She then completed a Master's degree in Optics and Photonics at KIT as part of the Karlsruhe School of Optics & Photonics (KSOP). For her PhD (also at KSOP), she conducted research in the group of Prof. Uli Lemmer at the Light Technology Institute, where she worked on recombination processes in perovskite semiconductors and developed an innovative approach to nanostructuring of perovskite-based DFB lasers. Today, Isabel Allegro works as a product manager for the semiconductor industry at Jenoptik Optical Systems GmbH.

What valuable experiences and insights from your studies still influence you today?

My time at KIT, especially as part of the interdisciplinary and international graduate school KSOP, had a huge impact on me, both professionally and personally. One of the most important experiences was working closely with people from different cultural and scientific backgrounds. This diversity broadened my perspective and helped me to communicate openly and constructively in mixed teams - a skill that I still use enormously in my professional life today. I also found the many workshops and soft skills courses offered by the HECTOR School of Engineering & Management as part of the graduate school training extremely helpful. Whether it was time management, conflict resolution or presentations - I still use a lot of what I learned there in my day-to-day work.

My doctoral supervisor also had a particularly big influence: I greatly appreciated and admired his open, human nature and his genuine interest in the further development of his doctoral students (both professionally and personally!).

This combination of professional depth, interdisciplinary exchange, personal development and respectful cooperation made my time at KIT one of the most formative phases of my life.

What added value do you get from being a member of the alumni network?

Even without regular active participation, the alumni network offers me valuable access to interesting events, professional exchange and a strong network. It's exciting to see what other alumni do after their time at KIT and how diverse the career paths are. I find the opportunity to participate more actively again at any time or to make new contacts very valuable. In addition, the network regularly reminds me that I am part of a larger, very committed community and offers potential that I would like to utilize even more in the future.

What is your vision for KIT?

KIT is known for its excellent research, innovative strength and close cooperation with industry. I am particularly impressed by the extent to which KIT supports the development of new technologies and the emergence of start-ups. It offers an environment in which new ideas can really grow. My vision is that KIT will continue to build on these strengths and at the same time develop further in other areas. For example, I would like to see teaching become more of a focus and achieve the same high standards as research. A healthy, appreciative working environment with greater awareness of mental health also offers the opportunity to make KIT even more attractive as a research location in the long term. Overall, I believe KIT is on a very good path and am convinced that it will further consolidate its role as a leading research and innovation platform in the coming years.