Work experience

since 2023 

Certified Consultant
LabWare Germany, Laboratory Information Management Systems & Electronic Lab Notebooks

 2022 

Postdoctoral fellow
CECAD Excellent in Aging Research, Cluster of Excellence at the University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

2017 - 2022 

Postdoctoral fellow
Hippocampal inhibitory microcircuits in learning and memory consolidation in mice
Center for Regenerative Medicine, lab of Amar Sahay, Massachusetts General Hospital | Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA

2015

Visiting researcher
Laser capture microdissection in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Center of Dementia Research, lab of Stephen D. Ginsberg, Nathan Kline Institute, NY, USA 

2012 - 2016

Research assistant
Neuromodulation of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus in adult and aged rats
Department of Neurophysiology, lab of Denise Manahan-Vaughan, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

2010

Visiting researcher
Attentional modulation of neuronal activity in the FEF of non-human primates
Institute of Neuroscience, lab of Alexander Thiele, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon tyne, UK

Education

2016

PhD in Neuroscience
International Graduate School of Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

2012

Master of Science in Biology
Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

2009

Bachelor of Science in Biology
Faculty for Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

Skills

Data Analysis & Programming

> 10 years 

Using different software & languages                                                                             Matlab, Python, SPSS, R, Graphpad Prism, MS Excel

since 2023: PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL 

Life Science

 > 10 years

BSc and MSc in Biology including classes in Physics and Chemistry, Doctorate in Neuroscience with a focus on learning and memory, synaptic plasticity and neuromodulation thereof. Research projects in cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease using a wide spectrum of molecular & physiological techniques 

Project & Team Management

> 5 years

Planning & executing experimental studies, supervising & teaching international students within my team

since 2023: Jira & Confluence (Atlassian) for agile project management

 

Digitalization, AI and Data Infrastructure

5 years

Digitization of data processing using e.g. AI tools, establishing & maintaining data server and shared IT resources, launching & securing funding for an online platform for Harvard Scientist, remote data analysis and student mentoring during lock-downs.

Since 2023: Oracle, MS Access & PostgrSQL database, automation of laboratory processes using Laboratory Information Management Software (LIMS) and Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN)

Scientific Writing & Presentation

>10 years

Communicating complex topics to different audiences (non-experts | experts).

Pubmed Central (online archive) & scientific journals, MS Office, Adobe Illustrator, Autodesk Fusion 360, successful acquisition of 3rd party funding, publishing scientific findings in high impact journals, presenting at interdisciplinary, national & international scientific meetings. 

Electrophysiology, Microscopy & Pharmacology

10 years

Investigation of neuronal activity and synaptic plasticity using acute or chronic implants in rodents and non-human primates. Manipulation of neurons using optogenetic and pharmacological systems, Microscopy (light, confocal, Inscopix).

Honors and Awards

2022

DFG Return Fellowship
German Research Foundation 

2018 - 2021

DFG Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
German Research Foundation 

2012 - 2014

PhD Fellowship
International Graduate School of Neuroscience
Initiative by the Ministry of Science and Research of the State of NRW, Germany

2010

ERASMUS internship grant
EU program for education, training, youth and sport

2021

Inscopix Technology Award
Award for pioneering innovative research using Inscopix technology

2019

Inscopix Poster Prize

2018

HBI Young Scientist Travel Award
Harvard Brain Science Initiative

2015

PR.INT Travel Grant
Research School Bochum

Teaching and Mentoring

 2018 - 2022 

mentor for visiting students
Short-term projects for visiting students from Harvard PhD Program in Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience study, John Hopkins University
Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, USA

2018 - 2019

mentor for master student
Master thesis for Master of Science in bioengineeringVictor Steininger from EPFL, Switzerland, thesis was awarded best grade
Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, USA

2014 - 2016

teaching assistant
Hosting seminars and practicals for 1st and 3rd year medical students
Department of Neurophysiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

2010 - 2012

teaching assistant 
Supervising practicals for 1st year biology students, 
Department of Zoology and Neurobiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

Affiliations & scientific activities

reviewing Editor 

Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, since 2018

Reviewer

Research School PLUS, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany,  2014 - 2016

Co-reviewing with Amar Sahay for e.g. Nature Neuroscience, Journal of Neuroscience (till 2022)

Incept Seminar Series
Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Colloquia of Extramural Postdoc Talks, Harvard Medical School (2021)

Membership

F1000 (till 2022)
German Neuroscience Society (till 2022)
Society for Neuroscience  (till 2022)

Others

Symposium - co-organization and co-hosting
Cellular and subcellular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease
Speaker: Ella Bossy-Wetzel, Tara L. Spire-Jones and Patricia Szot
IGSN Ruhr University Bochum, 2014

Harvard Brain Science Calcium Imaging - slack channel 
Platform for scientific exchange among Harvard scientists performing Calcium Imaging, sponsored by Harvard Brain Initiative, 2020

 

"I am a scientist" - outreach initiative from Wissenschaft im Dialog