Postdoctoral Researcher Spotlight: Gabi Wenzel
Postdoctoral Researcher Dr. Gabi Wenzel describes her research and answers 20 random questions.
Originally from Germany, Gabi Wenzel arrived at MIT in October 22. She completed her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Germany, majoring in Physics for both. Gabi earned her PhD in Laboratory Astrophysics in France, and completed her first postdoctoral position in Denmark, mostly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During my time in grad school I also got to spend two months each in Italy, England, and the Netherlands for collaborations and internships,” said Gabi. “I love the interconnectivity in Europe but am so happy to finally be able to explore the American academic landscape, too!”
Gabi’s main research focus is laboratory astrochemistry, and in particular heading all rotational spectroscopy efforts in Professor Brett McGuire‘s group. Gabi and her fellow researchers are measuring rotational spectra of astrochemically relevant molecules in the laboratory and our main interest are aromatic compounds. Once a lab spectrum is recorded, it can be almost directly compared to astronomical observations made by radio telescopes of molecular clouds present in the interstellar medium. The McGuire Group uses in particular the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) that is located in the radio quiet zone in West Virginia. Using their lab spectra and the GBT is how they can detect molecules in space.
To date, it is known that there are more than 300 distinct molecular species distributed in the most diverse regions in space. How many more can be found? What are they made of? And how are they formed in the first place? How do they contribute to the physicochemical processes and conditions in space? Could they lead to the formation of life? These are questions that accompany Gabi’s daily research in the Department of Chemistry.
As the subject of this Postdoctoral Researcher in the Spotlight, Gabi reveals the skill she’d like to master, the alternative career she’d choose, the name she’d give a boat if she owned one, and more!
- What game or movie universe would you most like to live in?
Aren’t we all still waiting for our Hogwarts letters? - If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
Ohh so many things! I’d probably shift all my lab work to the night, so that I’d have the days to do fun outdoorsy stuff, discovering new places with my dog, horse back riding, sailing, perhaps learning a new type of sport. Since there’s a 6 hour time difference to Europe I’d probably also spend a lot of time calling my friends and family back home which often is cut a bit short! - What is the best vacation you’ve ever taken?
Sailing around the Greek island Milos with my best friend right after we got our PhDs. Fantastic views, swims, food, and overall mesmerizing experience! - Who would be the best person you could be stuck in an elevator with?
Probably my husband, he’d just stay so relaxed and keep me calm at the same time. - If you were given five million dollars to open a small museum, what kind of museum would you create?
Probably a forensic science museum, from fingerprints and hair analysis all the way to the discovery and usage of DNA profiling. - What are some small things that make your day better?
When there’s signal (lab or observation), when my dog wants to cuddle, when a grad student asks ‘their research-specific’ questions, if there’s coffee. - What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the molecules I study since I started my PhD; equestrian life; true crime. - What skill would you like to master?
Sailing! I just started here at MIT’s sailing pavilion and love it! While I am still a noob and find the wind on the Charles really intimidating at times, it does take the edge off of me and I can do something totally unrelated to work. Highly recommend signing up for a class! - What did you think you would grow out of but haven’t?
Being bad at losing (board games, competitions, you name it). - What irrational fear do you have?
A person standing outside, peeking through the ground floor window right inside; spiders. - If animals could talk, which animal do you think would be the most annoying, and why?
Definitely my miniature dachshund Mando. His nickname is Sir Bark-a-lot. My office mates in building 6 know why! (Sorry!)
Mando - If you could pick any career other than the one you’ve chosen, what would it be?
I’d LOVE to be an astronaut! I had applied to the European Space Agency (ESA) selection in 2021 and it was actually already quite cool to be even eligible to apply in the first place. Obviously I didn’t get invited to any of their tests or training. Next time maybe! - An epic feast is held in your honor, what’s on the table?
Sushi, Kinder chocolate, avocado toast, raspberry pastries, pancakes with bacon and maple syrup. - What one thing do you really want but can’t afford?
A private or sports pilot license and a small plane to experience our planet from above. At least not right now! - If you could know the truth behind every conspiracy, but you would instantly die if you hinted that you knew the truth, would you want to know?
Absolutely yes. Tell. Me. Everything. - What inconsequential super power would you like to have?
Stopping time for everybody except me and then being able to move through space, doing whatever I want for however long I want, and eventually resuming time, just for everybody to continue where they left off and I got all that stuff done. - What bit of trivia do you know that is very interesting but also very useless?
I’m not sure this is interesting but one of my favorite molecules, pyrene, carries the same name as princess Pyrene, daughter of King Bebrycius. According to Greek mythology, she was a lover of Heracles who, upon her death, piled up rocks to build a tomb for her and so created the mountain range called the Pyrenees at the border of France and Spain. Y’all should go, they are breathtakingly beautiful! - What’s the most interesting documentary you’ve ever watched?
Hands down Mother of God documentary. Psychological manipulation and trauma abuse can go so far, it’s unreal. - If you owned a boat, what would you name it and why?
She would be a sail boat, anywhere from 26 to 50 feet, and her name would be Fina in memory of my first dachshund. But maybe that’s too sad so I might name her Pyrene like the Greek princess instead. - What movie title best describes your life?
Interstellar. 😉
