Mustafa Demirbuga, University of Illinois at Chicago

Mustafa Demirbuga is a chemistry education researcher, trained in Berlin. Today, as a doctoral candidate at the University of Illinois in Chicago, he explores how best to communicate scientific advances to students, whilst remaining closely connected to Brain City Berlin. His research is an enrichment for chemistry curricula everywhere.

"My research aims to enrich the chemistry curriculum by integrating innovative scientific insights into the laboratory and developing them further in ways that enhance student learning and motivation," says Mustafa Demirbuga. He seeks to bring advances in science and technology into university learning environments, with fluorescence in laboratory practice serving as his representative example.

Chemistry, as a submicroscopic science, is often not perceivable to the naked eye, which can make understanding difficult for learners. "My research supports students in connecting observable phenomena to submicroscopic explanations," explains Mustafa Demirbuga. This is particularly helpful for concrete didactic design strategies – to promote active engagement with experiments, strengthen participation in scientific practices, and deepen both evidence-based learning and molecular-level thinking.

Chemistry education research sits at the intersection of natural science and education, giving rise to many overarching research questions. "What does it actually mean to learn chemistry?" asks Mustafa Demirbuga in his research. The answer: it is not merely the acquisition of factual knowledge and algorithmic problem-solving skills, but rather a deeper conceptual understanding of chemical principles, representations, and ways of thinking.

After completing his teacher education at Humboldt University of Berlin with a focus on chemistry and history, Mustafa Demirbuga delved deeper into pedagogical approaches at the Professional School of Education. He remains in close contact with Humboldt University: "We support each other's research through academic exchange and feedback on our current work."

In choosing Brain City Berlin, he was motivated not only by the reputation of the university, but also by the environment of a major city: "I was convinced that large cities offer great opportunities – academically, professionally, and personally. Berlin, with its diverse higher education landscape and dynamic environment, confirmed this belief time and again."

His time in Brain City Berlin shaped the chemistry doctoral candidate both personally and academically: "The diversity of people at work and in study enriches exchange and contributes to research. Different perspectives open up new viewpoints and foster innovative approaches."

He describes the city through the lens of his chemistry background: "Berlin as a science location is a catalyst in a complex reaction system, lowering the activation energy for new ideas and thus continuously enabling scientific breakthroughs." Berlin, he says, is a city full of possibilities, but also of dynamism and contrasts. His most important tip for new researchers in Brain City Berlin: "Be curious and open to new experiences. The city doesn't introduce itself – it simply throws you in, like Alice in Wonderland. But therein lies its particular strength: those who are willing to embrace this diversity can grow enormously here, both professionally and personally." He also recommends building networks early, seeking out interdisciplinary exchange, and actively making use of the city's many scientific and cultural offerings.

Mustafa Demirbuga now collaborates with international researchers on projects that reach far beyond US institutions. What remains is the joy of meeting other German-speaking researchers abroad – for instance at the American Chemical Society Meeting. For the future of Berlin as a science hub, he hopes for stronger collaboration with US institutions: "A more intensive transatlantic exchange in research and teaching could provide fresh impetus, foster joint projects, and accelerate the international transfer of knowledge." It very much appears that Mustafa Demirbuga is already contributing to this goal with great commitment.