Research creates perspectives: Damar Wicaksono (CASUS)
June 2026
After many years in Switzerland, Damar Wicaksono moved to Görlitz in 2021 to conduct research at the Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS). He is currently working on new methods to better assess the safety of potential repositories for radioactive waste. Originally from Indonesia, he completed his bachelor's degree in the university city of Yogyakarta. He then pursued master's degrees at two top Swiss universities in Zurich and Lausanne, followed by his doctorate in Lausanne.
Who are you and what are you working or researching?
My formal training is in engineering. Over time, my interest led me to delve deeper and deeper into mathematical problems. In my work, I combine theoretical and applied mathematics to make predictions on various scientific topics more reliable.
Why did you come to Görlitz and what convinced you to work here?
I came to Görlitz through a very traditional application process. The job advertisement sounded interesting, and the online interview with my then-boss went very well. I also found the idea of working in a newly established center right on the Polish border exciting.
How did you experience your arrival in Görlitz and what do you like about living in the city?
Upon my first arrival in Görlitz, I truly felt like a pioneer at the ends of the earth. While the train station was still very sleepy, things quickly became more lively as I headed towards the old town. After five years in the city, I can confidently say that it's the perfect size for me: not too big and not too small. Incidentally, for the first time in my life, I can walk to work every day – completely free of traffic jams and morning rushes. Unthinkable in Indonesia or Switzerland. My wife has also found her professional footing as a teacher. We often stroll through the city park together, and we certainly didn't miss the Via Thea Festival.
What makes the science region around Görlitz special from your point of view?
With its focus on science, the city of Görlitz and the Lusatia region are reinventing themselves to some extent. As one of the first in this development phase, they sometimes feel like pioneers. Of course, global visibility isn't yet a reality. But you can feel the momentum. Another advantage is the high degree of openness and internationalism. Here, Görlitz benefits from its proximity to the border compared to other East German cities of similar size.
What would you say to other international scientists who are considering coming to Görlitz?
Just come and experience it for yourself! You can quickly find a good and affordable apartment, and after a few months you can easily assess whether the advantages, such as the walk to work, the peace and quiet, or living in a twin city in two countries, outweigh the disadvantages.
About the Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS)
Complex systems consist of many elements that are interconnected across different levels and mutually influence each other. Such systems exist on every scale, from the atomic to the ecosystem to the universe. To better understand them, new methods from mathematics, data science, and computer science are needed. These methods are being developed at CASUS and contribute to the ability to model complex systems with unprecedented realism. The result: Open scientific questions, for example in the areas of health, biodiversity, and green energy, can finally be answered. The newly acquired insights are complemented by experiments conducted in collaboration with CASUS partners. Through the knowledge-based redesign of materials and processes, the research at the center helps to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. CASUS was founded in Görlitz in 2019 and is an institute of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR).
Text: Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS)
This portrait was created in cooperation with Hi!Lusatia eV as part of the exhibition “Hi!Lusatia – Research creates perspectives” in the Brüderstraße Gallery in Görlitz.
