Position: Head of Endogenous Retrovirus Group, Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH
Research focus: I have proven track record in HIV, Immunology, Cancer and Stem Cell research. My current research focuses on identifying the functional role of human endogenous retroviral elements (HERVs) during stem cell differentiation and brain development using cutting-edge technologies like CRISPR.
What do you love about viruses?
Their complexity, variability and adaptability.
On what topic could you give a 30-minute presentation without any preparation?
Human Endogenous Retroviruses
What is your favourite way to spend a day off?
Spending time with my family. Doing fun things.
What was your most surprising scientific finding?
That we could identify a physiological function of one specific HERV group in neuronal differentiation.
If you were completely free to choose a scientific topic to work on, which would it be?
The topic my group is already working on. Studying human endoge- nous retroviruses (HERVs) and their role in brain development.
If you had the option to give advice to a younger version of your- self, what would that be?
Don’t stress yourself things gonna work out. Learn to say ”no” more often as soon as possible.