Moin*, I am Frauke!

Scientific Researcher and Engineer in Bionics/Biomimetics

I am a PhD student within the field of Bionics/Biomimetics, more specifically for soft robotics and soft artificial muscles, at the Rhine-Waal University for Applied Sciences in Kleve, Germany. In Bionics/Biomimetics, interesting phenomena, structures or principles are investigated in nature and abstracted for technical applications. That is what I love about it: Exploring nature but also making use of the knowledge to help humankind.

* 'Hello' in Nothern German Dialect

Exploring Nature On Land

I love exploring nature, not only as a scientist but also by traveling to different countries and continents. On my most recent trip, I went to South Africa, where I observed whales, hiked with meerkats over the sandy dunes of the Kalahari desert and went on a safari through its dry riverbeds to see stunning landscapes and unique animals.

... And Underwater!

When I moved to Kleve, I joined the HSRW Submarine Team right away, became captain and I learned diving. After racing a human-powered submarine against other international submarine teams, I continued diving as a hobby. I enjoy diving in local lakes or traveling to other diving sites to I explore the hidden nature underwater.

My Background

I was born in Göttingen, Germany, in 1997. During school, I moved to Bavaria and Osnabrück, both in Germany. After school, I did not quite know what to do. Therefore, I spent some time in New Zealand on a diary farm with a really nice host family. After some traveling, I made up my mind and started studying the field of Bionics/Biomimetics in Bremen, Germany. I loved this field as it connects the world of engineering closely with nature and science.
After a term abroad in Canada, where I absolved a research internship combining it with some traveling of course, I completed my degree (B.Sc.). I moved to Kleve where I continued my studies. During the time there, I worked for BIOKON, a network for Bionicists within Germany, and for the Submarine Team of the Rhine-Waal University for applied sciences (HSRW) as the team captain, where we won the world championship in Gosport, England in 2022.
In the end of 2023, I finished my masters degree which led me to a PhD position at the HSRW. I still very much like to learn, explore and research. Hence, despite having learned several rapid prototyping techniques, I have started FabAcademy to deepen my skills in the field of digital manufacturing. To simultaneously forward my PhD, I want to pick my assignments and my final project according to what I need for my PhD.

Student Agreement signed by Frauke Waßmuth, 31st of January, 2024