Dresden, Saxony, Germany
I am a biotechnology researcher and PhD student working at the interface of immunology, neuroscience, and environmental health. I completed my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biotechnology/Industrial Biology at Hochschule Bremen and am currently pursuing my PhD at the Medical Theoretical Center (MTZ), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, under the supervision of Prof. Hani Harb. My research focuses on neuroimmunology and neurodegenerative diseases, with particular interest in how environmental and metabolic stressors contribute to brain inflammation and disease progression. My current PhD project investigates the impact of particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure on neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes using advanced mouse models of Multiple Sclerosis (EAE and Cup/EAE), as well as translational approaches related to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. During my academic career, I gained research experience at several international institutions. At the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, I worked on applied marine glycobiology and biotechnology-related projects. At the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), I contributed to the “SiDe-EFFECT” project, analyzing Arctic mesocosm samples to study environmental impacts on marine ecosystems. My current work combines flow cytometry, neuroimmune profiling, molecular biology, histology, and translational neuroscience to study microglia, T cells, and immune-mediated mechanisms in the central nervous system. I am particularly interested in understanding how particulate matter, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic inflammation influence neurodegeneration and brain immunity. My broader scientific interests include neuroimmunology, neurodegenerative diseases, environmental toxicology, translational medicine, and immune regulation in brain disorders. I am passionate about interdisciplinary biomedical research and motivated to contribute to innovative therapeutic and diagnostic strategies that bridge basic science and clinical application.
DIC/13C-DIC Analysis: Measured the carbon isotope composition of the total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) pool in mesocosm samples using Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) with a G2201-i Isotopic Analyzer (Picarro, USA). This work was carried out in collaboration with the laboratory of Dr. Jacqueline Stefels at the University of Groningen (GELIFES).
I completed a 3-month internship at Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, focusing on applied biotechnology. My project investigated the role of microbial mat microorganisms in the degradation of HPAM (hydrolyzed polyacrylamide) and its derivatives as part of a bioremediation approach in oilfield environments.