OTH Regensburg is delighted to announce that its graduate Dr Andrea Reindl has been awarded the Regensburg Prize for Women in Science and Art. The electrical engineer received the prestigious award for her pioneering dissertation on the topic of ‘Decentralised Battery Management System for Improved Reliability and Optimised Battery Operation’, which she wrote at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at OTH Regensburg in cooperation with the Technical University of Berlin.
The prize has been awarded by the city of Regensburg since 2014 and recognises excellent scientific or artistic theses that are intended to motivate women to pursue a university career. The prize money of 15,000 euros supports the winners on their further academic path.
Sustainability at the centre of her research
In her dissertation, Dr Reindl developed an innovative, decentralised management system for battery storage systems. It enables resource-conserving and robust networking of different battery systems - for example by integrating second-life batteries. Her research thus makes an important contribution to the circular economy and the sustainable use of existing energy storage systems - a highly topical issue, also with regard to electromobility and the energy transition.
Dr Reindl has been working at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) in Oberpfaffenhofen since January 2024. There, she contributes her knowledge to the development of electrical energy systems for aviation. Her long-term goal: a professorship in which she combines research, teaching and practice.
Dr Andrea Reindl knows from her own experience how important early impulses can be for a professional career: Her interest in technology was sparked by Girls' Day at OTH Regensburg, when she first struck up a conversation with a mechanical engineering student. ‘At the time, I had poor grades in maths - but during my studies, I really understood for the first time what a curve discussion means, for example, and what it's good for,’ she recalls. Today, she passes on her experience - as a mentor for schoolgirls in STEM subjects.
A role model for young women in STEM subjects
For Dr Reindl, the award is not only recognition, but also an incentive: "I want to show that women can very well make a career in technical professions. Programmes for young women and financial support are essential - they were also decisive for my path." She is particularly grateful to OTH Regensburg, where she was able to complete her cooperative doctorate: ‘I always felt at home at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology - my supervisors were real role models.’
OTH President Prof. Dr Ralph Schneider acknowledged the significance of the award in his welcoming address at the ceremony in the Historic Reichssaal: "With her dissertation, Dr Reindl is living the very principle of sustainability and climate justice that is firmly anchored in the OTH's university development plan. Her research is exemplary of the values that we uphold and want to further strengthen at our university."
He went on to emphasise: "Your path is both an inspiration and an incentive. Perhaps one day it will lead you back to us - as a professor who inspires future generations with her expertise and passion."
A visible sign for more equal opportunities
Prof Dr Birgit Scheuerer, Commissioner for Equal Opportunities for Women in Science and Art at OTH Regensburg, also warmly congratulated the prizewinner:
"Young female engineers like Dr Reindl are researching sustainability and future issues in our society. I admire their creative drive and commitment."
In her laudatory speech, Prof. Dr Brigit Rösel, Vice President for Research and Teaching at OTH Regensburg, particularly emphasised Dr Andrea Reindl's scientific excellence, great perseverance and personal commitment: "Dr Reindl worked her way through her doctorate herself with great perseverance and initiative - initially without secure funding, as there have been no specific funding programmes for women in technical disciplines to date. Thanks to a bridging scholarship from OTH Regensburg, she was finally able to receive funding from the State Conference of Women's and Equal Opportunities Officers (LaKoF) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation."
Dr Reindl is now not only a successful scientist, but also active in the promotion of young scientists: she is a member of the board of the doctoral network and spokesperson for the physics/engineering forum of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
Promotion of women's careers at OTH Regensburg
The award confirms OTH Regensburg's successful approach to specifically promoting women in science. With six doctoral centres founded jointly with other universities, the university creates excellent conditions for academic careers. The aim is to provide targeted support for talented individuals and to sustainably increase the proportion of women at all qualification levels.
