We had an incredible week in the beautiful Kleinwalsertal where the Graduate School of Life Science Engineering together with the SOS research group of Prof. Heinz Koeppl gathered for our annual retreat. The event was filled with inspiring talks, insightful poster sessions and stimulating discussions.

We would like to thank Dr. Wadim Weber, Dr. Johann du Hofmann and Dr. Caibin Sheng for their engaging presentations on their post-PhD careers in industry. Their journeys and achievements have inspired us all.

We would also like to thank Prof. Alexander Loewer, Prof. Beatrix Suess, Prof. Thomas Burg and Prof. Boris Schmidt for sharing insights into their fascinating research.

A particular highlight of the retreat was the poster design and presentation workshop led by Jo Richers. This session was incredibly useful and well received by all participants, enhancing our skills in presenting research effectively.

In addition to the academic activities, we enjoyed hiking in the beautiful mountains, which provided the perfect setting for relaxation and team-building. A special mention must go to our youngest participants who added a unique charm to the retreat.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this retreat a memorable and enriching experience!