Melanie’s academic journey began with a B.A. in International Business, specializing in financial controlling, where she fell in love with Excel spreadsheets, but decided to switch from tracking money to pursuing health. This shift led her to a second bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Nutrition at the University of Education Weingarten, followed by a Master’s degree in Sport, Exercise and Health in Basel.

In the following years, she gained experience in different settings, including working on clinical study with post-COVID patients experiencing cognitive fatigue, which deepened her interest in brain function. In parallel, she contributed to health promotion initiatives with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Integration in Baden-Württemberg.

Since working with kids seemed way more entertaining than dealing with bureaucrats, she ditched her safe job and went all-in on the adventure of an academic career. Currently, her PhD project investigates how exercise influences social-cognitive development in school children, with the aim of supporting cognitive development and health from an early age. Since undertaking a PhD can also be cognitively fatiguing, it remained a research field that intrigued her – now also in connection with neuromuscular performance.

Outside of science, she enthusiastically engages in sports she is not even good at, like surfing, ski touring, and CrossFit. This reflects her personal way of embracing new challenges despite frustration and repeatedly stepping out of her comfort zone.