Alexander Beck, CRC 1333 doctoral researcher in Project C03 in Prof. Johannes Kästner group, recently completed a three-month research stay at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) in Tarragona, Spain, hosted by Prof. Jordi Burés. His visit, from December 2025 to February 2026, focused on deepening the understanding of the relationship between apparent reaction orders and the actual mechanisms underlying chemical reactions.
In the CRC 1333, all doctoral and postdoctoral researchers have the opportunity to receive additional funding for a research stay abroad up to three months by applying to the CRC board. The aim is to promote the international competence and early independence of our early-career researchers.
The research group of Prof. Burés is widely recognized for the development of the Variable Time Normalization Analysis (VTNA) method, a graphical tool that allows chemists to determine reaction orders directly from experimental kinetic data without prior mechanistic assumptions.
Alexander’s work aimed to link apparent reaction orders with mechanistic pathways, providing insights that could complement DFT simulations and strengthen the interpretation of kinetic experiments.
In an interview, Alex gave us some insights into his stay:
What was special about the work of the Burés Group?
This stay allowed me to view DFT interpretations not just as simulations but also in the context of experimental kinetics, which is very valuable for our work at the CRC 1333. The working group was very welcoming, even though their experimental work was primarily in the laboratory while my work was mainly office-based. We met regularly at group meetings and also enjoyed some activities together outside of work.
How did you like Tarragona? What were some highlights for you?
Tarragona is a historic university city on the Catalonian coast, renowned for its rich Roman heritage. Its coastal location offers a perfect balance between exploring culture and enjoying the natural surroundings. While the winter weather is often quite windy, that only added to the experience. During my time in Spain, I also visited nearby Barcelona and spent time with family and friends in Madrid. My Spanish language skills proved very helpful, and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to practice speaking the language.
Do you have any recommendations for someone looking to do a research stay?
For doctoral researchers considering a stay abroad, I recommend not only relying on existing collaborations, but also proactively reaching out to potential host groups whose work you find interesting and inspiring.
Thank you for all the insights, Alex!
