Guten Abend,
When Prof. Vogel arrived in the classroom with the enthusiasm level of someone who had already had one scientific breakthrough that morning, we were all tired because it was a long day packed with lectures, and yet it was only 4:00p.m. Then he started talking about localized surface plasmon resonance like it was super simple. But surprisingly, we all got it, not because we are MAP students, but because we had Nicolas on our side!
Nicolas is super energetic and super smart, a combination that should honestly come with a warning label. He doesn’t just explain concepts; he attacks them from multiple angles until they surrender and finally make sense. For many, it is obvious that the sky is blue. For Nicolas, on the other hand, the reason behind it is what truly matters. Every lecture is mostly about why the sky is blue. That question has haunted us, in the best possible way, because it teaches us something essential: understanding is not about memorizing answers, but about truly grasping the underlying principles. And once that lesson sticks, you never forget it. Just like Rayleigh scattering.
And when equations, slides, or words are not enough, he reaches into his secret teaching toolkit: rocks stolen from his children. At some point, we realized that if you want to understand advanced materials science, you don’t need a supercomputer, you just need a handful of pebbles. Suddenly, complex concepts become clear, memorable, and occasionally adorable. We are still not sure how his children feel about this, but science has clearly benefited.
Now, as the chair of the MAP program, Nicolas carries a huge responsibility, and he takes that responsibility very seriously. He is deeply caring, and he truly listens. He asks for feedback, not because he has to, but because he genuinely wants to improve. He adapts his lectures, reflects on his teaching, and constantly works to make the MAP program better for us, the students. And it really matters.
As students, we don’t just feel taught, we feel heard. And that creates an environment where learning thrives, where curiosity is encouraged, and where we feel supported even when the material is challenging.
Nicolas, thank you for your energy, your creativity, your pebbles, your questions, and your commitment to making MAP what it is today. Thank you for challenging us, and for caring enough to listen along the way.
On behalf of the students, it is an honor to recognize you as the 2026 Best Lecturer of the MAP program.
Vielen Dank Niki, Glückwunsch.
By MAP student Narmin Sadigova (Matriculation group 2024)