As a long-standing tradition in the MAP program, the annual MAP Alumni Round Table provides a great opportunity for current students to connect with former MAP students. This year’s round table took place on 24 June 2025. Three alumni joined us for an engaging, dynamic discussion to share their diverse insights into their experiences in the MAP program, their job applications and career paths, as well as their personal experiences. Those unique insights were informed by the Alumnis’ individual journeys: Ta-Shun Chou from the 2013 batch, who is now the CEO and co-founder at NextGO EPI, Lukas Müller from the 2018 batch, who is now working as a postdoctoral scientist at FAU, and Talha Mirza from the 2016 batch, who is currently a senior scientist at Procter & Gamble. The event was moderated by Pranjal Anand from the 2023 batch and Rithika Jain from the 2024 batch.
Ta Shun Chou
He chose “Computational Materials Science and Process Simulation” and “Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology” as his focals while studying MAP at FAU due to his prior experience in one and none in the other. After working in the industry and earning a PhD in Berlin, he became CEO and co-founder of NextGO EPI, a gallium semiconductor company.
When asked about a summary of his experience at MAP, he emphasized the importance of learning to present oneself and overcoming academic challenges. Additionally, he advised starting out in start-ups to gain experience and ease future job searches.
Lukas Müller
Starting his education at FAU with a B.Sc. in Nanotechnology, he continued with the MAP program, focusing on “Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology” and “Biomaterials and Bioprocessing” due to his prior experience. After graduating, he pursued a PhD at FAU in molecular self-assembly, noting that a MAP course on the topic directly influenced his research path and highlighted the program’s value in shaping careers and supporting interdisciplinary research.
He advised students to take internships seriously, calling them “door openers” that build networks essential for career growth. He emphasized that during a PhD, one’s reputation is shaped not only by individual work, but also the projects of the people they work with.
Finally, he cited the key lesson he learned at MAP: even if you’re uncertain now, pursue your interests and develop your skills and success will follow.
Talha Mirza
Talha chose “Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology” and “Biomaterials and Bioprocessing” as his focals at MAP with the goal of learning as much as possible. After graduating, he became a scientist at P&G, where he found the “porous materials” course especially relevant. He also highlighted the unexpected value of theoretical courses like “literature review” for understanding intellectual property in industry. He categorized his skills into people skills, technical skills and industry-specific skills, noting that MAP helped him develop all three, especially through communication with technicians and engineers in German and English.
His advice to students is to focus on quality over quantity in job applications and show genuine interest in the company and its values.
By MAP student Hossein Emadi (Matriculation group 2024)