On July 19, 2024, the first cohort of the Research Training Group WERA GRK 2908 started with a kick-off meeting. All participants met for the first time in the large conference room of the new LPME research building to present the projects and get to know each other. The speaker of the Research Training Group, Prof. Antonyuk, opened the event with an overview of the structure and aim of the project and gave an insight into the qualification plan for the doctoral students. After the individual professors had personally presented their projects and doctoral students, the kick-off meeting ended with a cozy BBQ in the research atmosphere of the experimental hall. We wish everyone involved every success and look forward to an interesting and successful collaboration.