Postdoc (since 2024)
PhD (Medical Science, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden - Group of Dr. Maria Genander)
M.Sc. (Biomedicine, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden)
B.Sc. (Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University)
How cells communicate and interact to form and maintain complex tissues fascinates me. In my PhD I focused on epithelial progenitor cell behaviour of the skin and oesophagus and how their cellular environment regulates cell fate decisions. I focused on in vivo lineage tracing, organoid models, and next generation sequencing techniques.
As a Postdoc I want to delve deeper into the cellular biology of intercellular communication by visualising cell-cell communication in intestinal organoids. I hope this helps me to understand how altered intercellular communication contributes to stem cell dysfunction with age.
Outside the lab I enjoy doing sports, cooking (& eating!), reading, and visiting and spending time with friends. I enjoy arts and music and wish I’d take more time to play guitar again. Maybe in later years I wish I’d worked more on investigating ageing while I play the guitar…
I started my scientific journey as a biochemistry undergraduate at University of Wisconsin – Madison. After enduring some heavy snowstorms in winters and enjoying my time next to Lake Mendota in summers, I graduated from Madison and started my master’s program in chemistry at Yonsei University in Seoul.
After completing my master’s degree, I relocated to Dresden in 2020 (bad year to travel, terrible year to move to a new country…oof). Despite the initial challenges, I have been enjoying my time living and working in Dresden and in Germany. Since I started to work in Dresden, I have mainly gained experience with organoids, African clawed frog (xenopus laevis), various mouse work to name a few.
I have been part of MPI-CBG since 2023 and I am very happy to be working at Sandra Scharaw’s group as a TA and helping the group whenever possible!
Outside of the lab, I like to spend my time cooking something new, visiting restaurants and cafés, traveling in and out of Europe, and practicing clarinet (Squidward style).