Dr. rer. nat. Olga Speck

Education

1978 – 1985 University degree in Biology and Sports (1. Staatsexamen), University of Freiburg (D), Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Dieter Vogellehner

Scientific degrees

2003 Doctor’s degree, PhD-Thesis in Biology, University of Freiburg, Advisor: Prof. Dr. Hanns-Christof Spatz

Work experience

2019 – 2025 PI in Area C and Area D of the Cluster of Excellence „Living, Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials Systems (livMatS)“ funded by DFG

2018 – 2020 PI in the research project “ Kraftübertragung und Aktuierung  in der Übergangszone zwischen stabförmigen und flächigen Bauteilelementen“ in the framework of „Bio-inspirierte elastische Materialsysteme und Verbundkomponenten für nachhaltiges Bauen im 21ten Jahrhundert (BioElast)“ funded by MWK-BW

2014 – 2018 PI in A03 and C01 of TRR 141

2014 – current Scientific coordinator, Freiburg Center for Interactive
Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT), University of Freiburg

2012 – 2015 PI in two sub-projects in the framework of the SHeMat project „Training Network for Self-Healing Materials: from Concepts to Market“

2008 – 2012 PI in the research project “Vom biologischen Vorbild zum bionischen Produkt: Wundheilung bei Pflanzen als Ideengeber für selbstreparierende technische Materialien“ funded by BMBF

2008 – 2012 PI in the research project „Wissenschaftlich-didaktische Aufbereitung der Bionik für Aus- und Weiterbildung an Schulen und Hochschulen“ funded by BMBF

2003 – current Project management and PI in various R & D projects in the field of biomimetics, biomechanics and education & teaching of biomimetics

2002 – current Manager, Competence Network Biomimetics

1996 – 1998 Visiting scientist, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, research group Prof. Dr. H.-Ch. Spatz

1988 – 1989 Assistant Medical Technician, Institute of Forest Sciences, University of Freiburg

1987 – 1988 Scientific employee, Botanic Garden, University of Freiburg, research group Prof. Dr. D. Vogellehner

1985 – 1987 Education and degree as Assistant Medical Technician at Medizinisch-Technische Akademie Esslingen

Miscellaneous

2014 – current Member of the Steering Committee of ICSHM (International Conference of Self-Healing Materials)

2011 – 2012 Member of ISO/TC 266 BIOMIMETICS, Dt. Institut für Normung e. V., Normenausschuss Materialprüfung (NMP)

2009 – current Chairperson of the working group „Aus- und Weiterbildung“ of BIOKON e.V.

2009 – 2015 Chairperson of the working group “Education & Training” of BIOKON international

2007 – 2015 Member of the Advisory Board ›Bionics‹ of ›The Association of German Engineers‹ (VDI)

Several science and industrial awards for studies in biomechanics/functional morphology, development of biomimetic products, as well as commitment and contribution to education and teaching in biomimetics