From UMFST-UMCH to Practice: Student Julius Balkenhol on Learning, Research, and Entrepreneurship

How do you find your own path between studying, research, and entrepreneurship—and why is not planning sometimes the best plan of all? These were exactly the questions addressed during an inspiring evening at UMFST-UMCH.

In a personal yet highly practical talk, Julius Balkenhol took the students along on his own journey and demonstrated why studying, research, and entrepreneurship each offer great opportunities, but also clear limitations. The key, he explained, is recognizing these limitations—and overcoming them by drawing on knowledge and skills from the other domains.

“Go with the flow” – flexibility as a key success factor

One of the central messages of the evening was: Go with the flow. Especially at the beginning of a career, there is often pressure to have everything planned out in advance. However, being too certain too early can come at the cost of flexibility. Those who remain open are better able to recognize opportunities, learn, and grow. Ultimately, Julius emphasized, success is measured by how well we contribute to solving real-world problems.

From student to researcher and founder

After spending his first years of university primarily focused on his studies, Julius became involved early on in AI and histopathology research projects at Centroderm. This work led him to Aisencia, a company that now develops cutting-edge AI models for dermatopathology as well as user-friendly software solutions for laboratories. At the same time, Julius contributed to a large-scale statistical research project on the epidemiology of squamous cell carcinoma in Germany.

Through this work, a major challenge quickly became apparent: many pathology laboratories lack the digital infrastructure required to implement AI efficiently. High costs, complex planning processes, and an unclear return on investment pose significant barriers. Together with his partner Sören Wierzba, Julius therefore founded a consulting company that supports pathology labs holistically—from strategic planning to the economically sustainable implementation of digital infrastructures. Today, the company is supported by a growing team working across consulting and development.

A success story from UMFST-UMCH

The evening concluded with a powerful personal story shared by Lala Sarkissian, an employee at the company and a student at UMFST-UMCH. After initially being rejected during the application process, she did not give up—and later went on to become a team leader. Her journey stands as a strong example of how perseverance and a willingness to learn are decisive factors for success.

An evening that truly inspired: the event highlighted the importance of openness, interdisciplinary thinking, and the courage to tackle real-world problems—values that continue to guide UMFST-UMCH students on their paths in medicine, research, and entrepreneurship.