I grew up in Narragansett, Rhode Island and obtained my B.Sc. degree in Biology from University of Rhode Island. During my undergraduate, I studied DNA repair enzymes in cancer and toxicology. Currently, I work in the Butovsky lab assisting in research that examines the role of microglia in neurodegenerative disease. Recent work has been focused primarily on AD and ALS. Outside of the lab, I spend time either exercising or relaxing with family, friends, and my puppy.
I am from Germany and have studied biology at the University of Göttingen. Here, I was trained in Virology and Molecular Genetics and graduated at the German Primate Center/Department of Virology and Immunology studying prion diseases. After a time in industry, I went on to study neurodegenerative diseases at the Institute of Neuropathology in Hamburg. I developed a special interest in the investigation of inflammatory processes in the brain that culminated in a very fruitful internship in the Butovsky lab. We continue our ongoing collaborations studying microglia phenotype switch in the diseased brain. Back in Hamburg, I have set up my own research group that is focusing on cell communication in the brain in neurodegenerative diseases including microglia and extracellular vesicle cross talk. When I am not doing science, I enjoy being a mom and like to take photos in nature.
I was born and raised in Berlin (and Potsdam), Germany. My studies of Molecular Life Science brought me to Luebeck at the Baltic Sea. However, after I received my Master degree, I was drawn back to Berlin, where I joined the Department for Neuropathology at the Charite for my PhD in Medical Neuroscience. This is where I met and fell in love with Microglia. I studied the role of those fascinating cells in adult neurogenesis and regulation of body weight and food intake. My infatuation with microglia brought me to Oleg’s lab, where I am now focusing on their role in neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer’s disease.
I was born and raised north of Boston. I presently provide administrative assistance through the coordination and development of research proposals and collaborations, as well as by supporting day-to-day functions of the laboratory. I especially enjoy spending time with my nieces and nephews and playing music with friends.