• Multiscale modelling of azobenzene-containing materials and their behavior under light irradiation using molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory
• Structure and rheology of polymer brushes of various architectures
• Switching behavior and structural properties of adsorption-active polymer brushes
• Development and implementation of techniques in coarse-grained and fully-atomistic molecular dynamics simulations

• 2010 - 2016: Studies of Phyics at TU Dresden (Institute Theory of Polymers)
• Bachelor (2013) and Master (2016) in Physics in the Institute Theory of Polymers, IPF Dresden under supervision of Prof. Sommer
• since 2016: PhD student in MTM group at IPF Dresden

• Summer semesters 2015–2020: teaching assistant for „Numerics and Computer Simulations of Soft Condensed Matter“ for Physicists (Master) at TU Dresden
• Winter semester 2017/18: teaching assistant for „Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics“ for Physicists (Bachelor) at TU Dresden

M. Koch, M. Saphiannikova and O. Guskova, Molecules, 2021, 26 (24), 7674. Cyclic Photoisomerization of Azobenzene in Atomistic Simulations: Modeling the Effect of Light on Columnar Aggregates of Azo Stars

M. Koch, M. Saphiannikova and O. Guskova, Molecules, 2021, 26 (24), 7598. Columnar Aggregates of Azobenzene Stars: Exploring Intermolecular Interactions, Structure, and Stability in Atomistic Simulations

M. Koch, D. Romeis and J.-U. Sommer, Macromolecules, 2020, 53 (17), 7356–7368. End-Adsorbing Chains in Polymer Brushes: Pathway to Highly Metastable Switchable Surfaces

M. Koch, M. Saphiannikova and O. Guskova, Langmuir, 2019, 35 (45), 14659–14669. Do Columns of Azobenzene Stars Disassemble under Light Illumination?

M. Koch, M. Saphiannikova, S. Santer and O. Guskova, J. Phys. Chem. B, 2017, 121 (37), 8854–8867. Photoisomers of Azobenzene Star with a Flat Core: Theoretical Insights into Multiple States from DFT and MD Perspective