DAAD RISE Program
Humboldt University of Berlin is one of several top German universities or research institutions that will host University of Rochester undergraduate students taking part in this summer’s DAAD RISE internship program. (Getty Images photo)
University of Rochester undergraduates regularly number among those selected to participate in the DAAD RISE summer research program in Germany.
The DAAD RISE program offers undergraduates from North America, Great Britain, and Ireland summer research internships at top German universities and research institutions. Students are matched with a host university or institute based on their area of interest (biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, engineering, or a closely related field) and work with PhD student mentors or researchers.
DAAD is the German Academic Exchange Service, and RISE stands for Research Internships in Science and Engineering. The government-funded program was established in 2005 and provides students with a monthly stipend for three months to cover living expenses. The working language is English.
Learn more about DAAD RISE and other fellowship, scholarship, and award opportunities available to Rochester students.
Recent DAAD RISE Recipients
Congratulations to the most recent DAAD RISE recipients from the University of Rochester!
Robert Ghetiu ’26
Clausthal Technical University in Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Area of study: Chemistry (BS)
The Iasi, Romania, native will perform research at the university’s Institute for Organic Chemistry. His project title is “Ni-catalyzed Hiyama coupling supported by camphoric based NHC ligands.”
Emerson Jenen ’26
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön
Area of study: Molecular genetics (BS)
The New York City resident will perform research in the Department of Microbial Population Biology. His project title is “A poly-G tract in a bacterial chemotaxis gene potentially regulates bacteriophage resistance.”
Daniel Kesler ’25
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Karlsruhe
Area of study: Chemical engineering (BS)
The Westchester, New York, resident will work in Karlsruhe’s Institute for Applied Materials and Electrochemical Technologies. His project title is “High Temperature Electrolysis for Sustainable Energy Conversion.”
Priscilla Peters ’25
Westphalian University of Münster in Münster
Areas of study: Health, behavior, and society and chemistry (BA)
Peters is from Randolph, New Jersey. Her project title is “Development of new antithrombotic drugs: Synthesis of novel inhibitors of Thrombin and Factor XIIa.”
Jensen Sminchak ’26
Ulm University in Ulm
Area of study: Chemical engineering (BS)
Sminchak is from Cleveland, Ohio. Her project title is “Photochemical reaction engineering for sustainability and energy transition.”