What is your current position?
I am Professor of Experimental Immunotherapy and scientific director of the Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology & Immunology at Friedrich‑Alexander‑Universität and Uniklinikum Erlangen. I also serve as the speaker of the Transregio CRC 369 “DIONE – Degeneration of Bone due to Inflammation”.
What is your main research focus?
My research team investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory bone loss in autoimmunity and osteoporosis. We focus on: The interplay between immune cells (eosinophils, B cells) and bone-resorbing osteoclasts in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Novel metabolic and signaling pathways — including L-arginine metabolism, hypoxia‑inducible factors (HIFs)— that regulate osteoclast differentiation and activity.
What does your typical workday look like?
A typical day includes mentoring PhD students and postdocs, coordinating ongoing projects within DIONE, and analyzing experimental data from in vitro and in vivo models. I lead lab meetings to align on research progress, interact with clinical collaborators, and work on grant proposals and publications.
