15.04.2025

‘Translator’ between science, politics and administration

Jeannette Endres-Becker heads the Global Health team at DLR Projektträger, leading a group of around ten people. In her interview she talks about how did she joined DLR. In her interview with Manuela Braun, she explains why she values her role as a scientific officer at DLR Projektträger and why she feels she is exactly where she is meant to be.

This interview was conducted by Manuela Braun.

Full interview on the DLR website: ‘Translator’ between science, politics and administration

Caption from the interview:

What, for example, is one of your current projects about?

One of our current projects is the research network TAKeOff. In many cases, we don't supervise individual projects, but rather collaborations and networks where various partners work together in an interdisciplinary way to create added value. The focus of TAKeOff is the treatment of filariasis, an infection caused by parasitic threadworms. This disease is prevalent in certain countries in sub-Saharan Africa and is one of the neglected tropical diseases. Filariasis is a highly debilitating condition that also stigmatises those affected, as it causes painful, disfiguring swelling in the feet and legs. Although there are existing therapies, they are not sufficiently targeted. The network is investigating whether certain drug combinations might be more effective. An important aspect of the project is also local health education: training and information campaigns aim to help people better understand the disease and learn how to prevent it, such as through regular foot hygiene.

Source DLR : www.dlr.de/en/blog/archive/translator-between-science-politics-and-administration