Graduate Institute
Award ceremony for doctoral scholarships 24/25
Scholarship holder of the Institute for Security Research (ISF): Elias Ellingen
In his doctoral thesis, Elias Ellingen is working on beam shaping for combined 3D measurement methods with multi-emitter illumination systems. These are used, for example, in medical technology, robotics and autonomous vehicles.
Currently, so-called VCSELs (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers) are used as the light source. However, additional light shaping elements are required to direct the light exactly where it is needed. The aim of the work is to develop criteria that can be used to select the best lighting technology for different applications.
Another focus is on generating dynamic light patterns to better illuminate certain image areas or to project different patterns in succession.
This could improve 3D imaging in many areas, for example in robotics or medical technology.
Scholarship holder of the Institute for Security Research (ISF): Alexandra Mielke
Alexandra Mielke is working on 3D measurement methods for facial recognition in her doctoral thesis. Her project is entitled Data-Based super resolution of low cost Time-Of-Flight cameras for 3D facial biometric applications.
3D facial recognition is more reliable than 2D, but is used less frequently. The reason: high-quality 3D data is expensive, and low-cost sensors have poor resolution or errors in the image.
The proposed PhD project addresses the question of whether sufficient 3D face recognition performance can be achieved with low-cost indirect 3D time-of-flight (iTOF) cameras.
The assumption is that resolution and image noise are the most important factors for good recognition. Therefore, a technique will be developed to improve the resolution of 3D images to make them suitable for face recognition.
Scholarship holder of the Graduate Institute: Axel Kretschmer
Axel Kretschmer's thesis is entitled ‘Analysis and modelling of reactive oxygen species in disinfection with determination of the influence on their composition in case of contamination by TOC in ultrapure water treatment plants and their storage tanks’.
The chemist is investigating how water in industry can be utilised and purified more efficiently and sustainably. As less usable water is available due to climate change, better methods of water treatment need to be developed.
One focus is on purification with ozone (O₃). Ozone prevents the contamination of water, but decomposes quickly and must be constantly replenished. During decomposition, reactive oxygen compounds (ROS) are formed, which influence the disinfection process. Temperature, pH value and organic impurities play a role here.
The study analyses how various factors influence water treatment and whether these processes can be predicted using computer models.
Scholarship holder of the Graduate Institute: Allex Semba
Allex Semba's doctoral project is being carried out in collaboration with the University of Zambia and is entitled The impact of cash transfers on caregiving for persons with disabilities: A qualitative evaluation in South Africa, Zambia and Malawi.
This doctoral thesis examines how financial support programmes (social cash transfers) affect the lives of people caring for relatives with disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa - particularly in Malawi, South Africa and Zambia.
The focus is on the impact of this support on the economic, psychological and social situation of carers, who are mostly women and girls. Scientific models are used to analyse how these cash transfers reduce the burden on carers and improve their quality of life.
The assumption is that these payments not only bring financial relief, but also strengthen carers' skills, improve their health, promote their social participation and reduce gender inequalities. The research closes an important knowledge gap on the comprehensive impact of such aid programmes in developing countries.
PhD Scholarships 2025
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