Falling Walls Foundation gGmbH
Falling Walls is the unique global hub connecting science, business and society. We shape the future of humanity by impact-oriented ideas and discoveries, driven by our shared dedication for creating breakthroughs across borders and disciplines. As a vessel for the world-changing spirit of 1989 in and beyond Berlin, we are on a relentless pursuit to find out: Which are the next walls to fall?
Content participation
Viktoriya Nikitina
Professorin Engineeering-Mathematics, Universität der Bundeswehr München
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Career-MeetUpEN
10/10/2025 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
MeetUp P.01 Table 1 | Halle / hall 3
Thread / thematic series: Science, Engineering, Digitalization & Technology, Start-up & Entrepreneurship
Joblevel: Career entry, Professional, Lateral entry, Startup & Entrepreneurship
Two Worlds, One Journey: A Mathematician’s Leap into Entrepreneurship with Viktoriya Nikitina
In this session, participants will gain first-hand look at the challenges and opportunities when building a tech start-up from a research background. They will learn more about how to navigate life as an international at the intersection of science and entrepreneurship, having lived and worked in three totally different countries.
Viktoriya will further provide insights into the realities of being an international researcher aiming to take a leap into entrepreneurship and share what her challenges are as well as learnings.
Presented by Falling Walls Foundation gGmbH
Details about the speaker Viktoriya Nikitina
Vita: Viktoriya Nikitina is a mathematician and entrepreneur whose career spans from academic research to the founding of a deep-tech start-up. Originally from Uzbekistan, she studied in Karlsruhe, Tokyo and Munich and is currently completing her PhD in Applied Mathematics at the University of the Bundeswehr Munich. As a co-founder of MUVOpt, she develops advanced integrated software for the coordination, navigation and control of multiple autonomous unmanned vehicles in real time. Her work blends design of efficient algorithms, software development and early-stage hardware integration.
Luise Koch
PhD Candidate & Intensive Track Participant, Technical University of Munich
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Career-MeetUpEN
10/10/2025 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
MeetUp P.01 Table 1 | Halle / hall 3
Thread / thematic series: Mentoring & Networking, Science, Engineering, Digitalization & Technology
Joblevel: Career entry, Professional, Lateral entry
Young Female Research Careers & Gender-Based Violence: Insights and Inspiration
Luise will share her personal career journey as a young female researcher in DE, including her motivation to pursue a research career, key milestones, challenges & support systems, like Female Science Talents. The second part of the session centres on her work, where she provides a deep dive into her study on technology-facilitated gender-based violence, discussing its impact on politically active women and how interdisciplinary research can inform policy and drive societal change. This part will be based on the following questions: What is technology-facilitated gender-based violence? How research can inform policy & societal change.
Presented by Falling Walls Foundation gGmbH
Details about the speaker Luise Koch
Vita: Luise Koch is a PhD Candidate at the Technical University of Munich. Her interdisciplinary dissertation explores how technology-facilitated gender-based violence affects the political engagement and psychological well-being of politically active women, combining computational methods and fieldwork. Furthermore, she serves as a consultant in the Gender Norms project of the World Bank which investigates how entertainment media shapes gender norms in India, Kenya, and Nigeria. With a background in Development Economics, her research interests lie at the intersection of global health, behavioural economics, and gender studies.
“I aim to bridge research and policy to develop evidence-based solutions against digital gender-based violence and enhance women’s participation in societal discourse.”
