On the path to understanding

“I’ve always enjoyed solving logic puzzles, ever since I was a child.” Virginia Schellenberg smiles as she says this. From an early age, the 24-year-old was fascinated by anything that couldn’t be solved with a quick answer. Whilst studying computer science at THI, she explored topics that went far beyond the lecture material. Eventually, she came across multi-agent systems – software agents that act independently, exchange information and solve complex tasks collaboratively. “Programming is a bit like a craft. At the end of the day, you can see what you’ve achieved.”

Today, Schellenberg works as a research associate at the THI and is preparing her doctorate at the Artificial Intelligence/Computer Science Doctoral School within the ‘Artificial Intelligence’ cluster. Together with Professor Hans-Joachim Hof and THI Distinguished Professor Ignacio Alvarez, she is developing a multi-agent system that automatically detects vulnerabilities in vehicle software. Bachelor’s. Master’s. Doctorate. Her academic career seems to be mapped out. Yet her curiosity extends far beyond her own field of specialism.

In early 2026, she presented an approach that combines Artificial Intelligence and behavioural biology to the European university network ACE²-EU. At first, that is all it is: an idea. Through conversations and new contacts, her path leads her to the Messerli Research Institute for Human–Animal Relations in Vienna and eventually to a poultry farm in the Emsland region. Together with THI professors Martin Schall and Alexander Knorr, she is planning an AI system to analyse the behaviour of chickens, which will draw conclusions about their welfare and provide recommendations for their rearing. Automotive security remains her main focus, with the new project added to the mix. For Schellenberg, this is not a balancing act, but simply part of her everyday research life – made possible by academic freedom and cross-disciplinary exchange.

Since 2023, the THI has had two doctoral centres with independent authority to award doctorates. In the field of Engineering Sciences, the degree of Dr.-Ing. can be obtained, whilst in the field of Artificial Intelligence/Computer Science, the degrees of Dr. rer. nat. and Dr. phil. are awarded. The Doctoral School brings together doctoral candidates from different disciplines and creates scope for innovation. The fact that Schellenberg is able to pursue various topics in parallel is a reflection of this culture.

Virginia Schellenberg has not lost her love of puzzling things out. Only the questions have become bigger. And sometimes they lead the young researcher into fields of research she herself would never have anticipated.