About me

I am currently working in the Benakis lab at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia research, LMU Klinikum Munich. We study the gut-brain axis and in particular, the involvement of the gut microbiota in stroke and stroke outcome. Previously, I worked on my PhD in the Haller lab at TU Munich, where my research focused mainly on identifying microbial factors driving colorectal cancer.

During my PhD, I developed a keen interest in Bioinformatics and the analysis of large and complex datasets. Combining this passion for compuational biology with my background in the wet lab I am currently utilising a combination of next-generation sequencing, metabolomics, as well as more basic microbiological methods, to identify functional mechanisms modulating stroke outcome.

In addition to my research, I am also enthusiastic about promoting open and reproducible science. We recently published a set of guidelines to conduct stroke microbiota studies in a robust and reproducible manner, providing an easy-to-use, freely-available analysis pipeline to allow researchers who are inexperienced in microbiota analysis to analyse their own data.

Outside of the lab I enjoy exploring my adopted home, trying and learning new things and playing guitar.