Beginning & End

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end”, said Seneca, while another quote attributed to Aristotle is translated succinctly as “well begun is half done.” Refusing to be discouraged by setbacks, trying new things and going back to the drawing board, if need be – that is the working principle and creed of all researchers, and the often rocky road to new knowledge.

BEGINNING & END is the overarching theme of this 21st edition of our RUPERTO CAROLA research journal, with articles on projects spanning the 13 faculties of our university. Not only do the pieces show which questions may kick off a research project, and the broad array of results it may yield – their topics cover the entire spectrum from the beginning to the end of life itself. This includes reproductive medicine and palliative care, disappearing glaciers, languages on the verge of extinction, chronic pain, initials in medieval manuscripts and the life and death of galaxies.

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” That is a quote by the American author and professor Maya Angelou († 2014) who fought alongside Martin Luther King Jr. for the civil rights of African Americans in the United States. Changes are prompted by science, and the university, too, keeps changing; if you’re not moving forwards, you’re moving backwards! This idea is captured by the cover picture of our journal – and thus begins a hopefully enjoyable reading experience. I wish you stimulating and inspiring insights into the research of Heidelberg scientists – between beginning and end.

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Bernhard Eitel
Rektor der Universität Heidelberg

Issue 21 · March 2023