Anja Car – Is a passionate advocate for the nanoscience students My job is to ensure that the nanosciences study program not only exists but also endures and evolves. That puts me at the interface between various stakeholders: students, professors and faculty members from various departments as well as staff from the administration. This role calls for considerable co- ordination and sometimes even conflict resolution. A lot of my work entails direct communication — and a knack for pragmatic problem-solving. What’s your professional background? After studying chemical engineering at the University of Mari- bor in Slovenia, I went on to complete a dissertation on poly- mer membranes for gas separation in 2008. Following that, I worked as a postdoc in various research projects at the Helm- holtz-Zentrum Hereon in Geesthacht and at KAUST in Saudi Arabia. In 2012, I was awarded a Marie Curie Fellowship in order to continue my career at the University of Basel. After many years in research, I took on a new professional challenge as study coordinator at the SNI in 2017. As part of my profes- sional development, I completed an MBA in Innovation Man- agement in 2022, specializing in the education sector. What motivates you about your job? My everyday work is very varied but also dominated by emails and coordination. Even with the best-laid plans, there are al- ways unforeseen circumstances that get in the way. This is exactly the dynamic I love and is a source of motivation — because it means the job never gets boring. What are you currently working on? May is a month filled with great events and planning for the fall semester. One highlight is undoubtedly SmallTalk, which is held on an annual basis for students in the sixth semester. At the same time, I’m already working on allocating places on the block courses to students starting the new semester. Fun Facts Tea or coffee? Coffee Cats or dogs? Dogs Early bird or night owl? No specific chronotype Favorite place? Nature Favorite food? Spaghetti in a hundred and one ways Dream vacation? The Galapagos Islands Secret talent? Juggling between students, teachers and the administration, creating more space for students in that mix while keeping everthing in balance :) “Anja has an incredible memory – she can really remember EVERYTHING!” Simone Chambers on Anja Car’s superpower 33 SNI INSight June 2026