Uta Schmidt-Strassburger is a biochemist with a minor in immunology. She has earned her PhD degree in chemistry and urology. After years of basic research into tumorigenesis and molecular mechanisms of metastasis, she became the scientific director of the Advanced Oncology study program of Ulm University in 2012, an educational based on the ESMO/ASCO recommendations for a global curriculum in oncology. She has developed the study program further by actively listening to the participants’ needs and implementing changes to address them thereby exhibiting a participative leadership approach. The study program covers all aspects of oncology using a zoom-out approach: starting from a molecular approach, touching clinical research, covering clinical oncology as well as management aspects in oncology in different health care settings. Students are provided with a toolkit to improve oncological care in their own settings. Thereby the study program addresses the United Nations’ sustainable development goal 3, "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages." Having spent part of her childhood in Russia, Uta became interested in languages early on. She is literate in German, Russian, English and French and strives to learn Arabic as well as Portuguese for an even better communication with her students.