“The wide range of possible applications
of sensor technology fascinate me”

Forest fires pose a global threat and cause severe ecological, economic and social damage. At the Feuchtwangen Campus, we are working on the development of a real-time tool that can significantly reduce the detection time of forest fires with the help of wind field simulations and thus increase the ability to respond to forest fires.

Since the end of last year, Md Khalid Mustafa has been supporting the campus team as a research assistant.

What has your career been like so far?

My Master’s degree at Campus Feuchtwangen was characterized by learning and ingenuity. I was able to get to know the energy sector through workshops and site visits. After completing the 2nd semester, I started working as a student trainee at the campus under the supervision of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Haresh Vaidya and Dr. Gerd Hofmann. During this time, I learned how to use sensors and urban planning tools and eventually wrote my Master’s thesis. At the same time, I heard about the exciting opportunity to continue my thesis as a research assistant. I accepted this offer without hesitation. From my time as a student to working full-time at the same campus, it has been a successful journey for me so far.

What interests you most about early forest fire detection?

When I started working as a student, I delved deeper into the world of sensors beyond the curriculum. I learned about the mechanics and chemistry behind sensor technology, which made me even more interested. I am fascinated by the diverse applications of sensor technology and how we can use it for different use cases. Working on a solution for the early detection of forest fires is a challenge, and I have always loved challenges.

What are your tasks on campus?

My daily tasks on campus are very varied and include the research work I am involved in, but also giving lectures on specific topics. I help the campus staff with the organization of daily activities and sometimes even participate in the planning of events that take place on our campus. I also look after the students and help them with their questions.

What particularly attracted you to this job offer?

I have always been a nature lover and a problem solver. And this position has given me the opportunity to effectively combine both aspects of my personality. The opportunity to work on a project that can bring about change in the way we interact with nature was also an attractive aspect of the job offer. I hope to continue the good work and continue to make meaningful contributions.