My name is Hendrik Steigerwald. I was born May 1980 and grew up in Neuwied, Germany. I attended the Wilhelm-Remy-Gymnasium in Bendorf. After graduating I started studying physics at Phillips University of Marburg. After my Vordiplom (similar to a Bachelor degree) I changed to the University of Bonn, because I wanted to focus my studies on applied physics and optics. There, I applied for the BIPPS-program, which afforded me the opportunity to spend one semester at Stony Brook as an exchange student. I have chosen to participate in optics rotation, mainly because I wouldn't have an opportunity to do anything like this at Bonn.

When I'm not studying, I like to spend time with my friends, doing sports and sight-seeing.