This year’s Winter School of the YoungNAKO Graduate Programme took place from 17 to 20 February 2026 at the Landhaus Rothenberge of the University of Münster in Wettringen (North Rhine-Westphalia). Ten young scientists from all over Germany used the week to learn, research and network together.
The focus was on practical insights into data collection and analysis for the German National Cohort (NAKO). The participants collected their own data using various digital measuring instruments, including ActiGraph and AtmoTubes. ActiGraph is a small, portable measuring device for long-term, objective recording of physical activity and rest periods (actigraphy). The participants found it particularly exciting to evaluate the data they had generated themselves, but also to measure air quality – including during a trip to an alpaca farm and an industrial park. AtmoTubes were used to record air quality. Using an associated app, participants were able to directly observe differences in air quality – for example, while eating, on the farm or near an excavator.
‘The Winter School showed how committed and curious our YoungNAKO participants are about scientific questions. The mix of practical data collection, analysis, and chatting with colleagues makes this event a key part of how we support young scientists,’ says Prof. André Karch, head of the YoungNAKO graduate programme, giving a positive summary.
The practical programme was completed by contributions from NAKO researchers Berit Lange, Stefanie Castell, Marcel Schubert, Jana-Kristin Heise, Claas Lendt, Christoph Buck, Maximilian Schwarz and Tim Hahn.
In addition to the scientific content, the Winter School also offered plenty of opportunity for personal exchange – cooking, eating and discussing together led to new contacts and friendships across the NAKO community.
The country house was beautiful and had an almost regal feel to it. I found the practical parts of the Winter School particularly exciting: we collected and evaluated our own data – many of us wore acceleration sensors in advance. It was interesting to see the differences and similarities in our results. We also used a device to measure air quality data in the surrounding area – my group even got to visit an alpaca farm,” says participant Sehajpreet Gil.
A big thank you goes to all participants, lecturers and the organising team for a thoroughly successful and enriching week in Wettringen!
Learn more: www.nako.de/YoungNAKO