“LGBTQ+ Visibility and Representation matters! I am happy that we have an opportunity to make a change within the STEM community.”

Jovan Dragelj is originally from Belgrade, Serbia. Following bis BSc and MSc studies, he worked as a chemistry teacher and did research at the University of Belgrade. In 2019, he obtained a PhD in computational chemistry at Freie Universitaet Berlin (FU Berlin). He now works on drug discovery as a senior scientist in biotech/pharma industry. He is also a guest lecturer at Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT). In 2019, he co-founded the LGBTQ STEM Berlin with the intention to increase visibility and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
Pronouns: He/Him.

Queer in Chem: Q&A with Dr Jovan Dragelj

“Visibility of LGBTQ+ people can enrich STEM as a whole. Therefore I’m dedicated to help increasing the visibility of LGBTQ+ people working in STEM in the Berlin area.”

Klaus is a physicist working as senior scientist at a research centre in Berlin. In his work, he does optical simulations of solar cells in order to improve their performance. He is motivated to help solving the World´s big problems through science – such as fighting the climate crisis through decarbonizing the energy sector. Driven by the same motivation he also participates in the core team of LGBTQ+ STEM Berlin, where he aims to increase the visibility of LGBTQ+ people in academia.
Pronouns: He/His.

“Physics PhD student who really feels at home in the LGBTIAQ+ community and loves to find ways to bring these worlds closer together.”

My name is Daan (he/his), a PhD student in theoretical physics at the University of Leipzig and of the homosexual variety. In my work I study the the influence of quantum fields on the formation of black holes, and outside of that I love to be involved in the LGBTIAQ+ community (admittedly vague as that term may sometimes be). These are both very important aspects of my life, and these are also sides I’d rather not keep fully separated. Unfortunately, by mechanisms too complicated to delve in here, these worlds sometimes seem to live in different universes. I believe that this does not and should not be the case, and this is my motivation to join this lovely group of people that being these worlds together.
Pronouns: He/His

„It’s time for us queer scientists to change the face of research and promote LGBTQ+ visibility and representation in STEM”.

Originally from Tel-Aviv, currently living in Berlin, and soon moving to the San Fransisco Bay Area, Aviv is an incoming bioengineering PhD student at Stanford University. Before turning to bioengineering, Aviv studied biophysics and worked as a research assistant at the Humboldt University of Berlin. Aviv also has previous experience as a queer youth counselor, a mentor for high-school students with migratory backgrounds, and a co-founder of a community organization. As part of our LGBTQ+ STEM Berlin core team, Aviv helps with the development of queer STEM initiatives and the organization of our events. Once in the US, he will serve as our coordinator for collaborations with partner queer STEM organizations, universities, and research institutes.
Pronouns: He/Him.

“I’m excited to have the chance to be part of an organization dedicated to drive change and increase visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals in STEM fields.”

Melinda Jacobs is a gamification expert, tech entrepreneur and N7 paragon. She’s a geeky nerd who found a way to combine her love of games and her fascination with people’s behavior into her full time job. She has a research Master Degree from Utrecht University in Media Studies and her research focuses on how games and interactive (digital) experiences can educate and change behavior in people. She’s currently founder of Perkio and on a mission to improve wellbeing by helping organizations build and talk about culture. She routinely gives talks around the world on playful design, behavioral science, and technology ethics. She co-founded LGBTQ STEM Berlin with the hope of creating a safe space for people to connect, discuss, and explore ways to boost visibility of LGBTQIA+ people in STEM.
Pronouns: She/Her.