What is your current position?
I am Professor for Immune Tolerance and Autoimmunity at the Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology & Immunology at Friedrich‑Alexander‑University and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen. I also serve as the speaker of the DFG Research Training School “FAIR – Fine-Tuners of the adaptive Immune System” and co-speaker of the DFG Research Unit “PANDORA – Pathways triggering AutoimmuNity and Defining Onset of early Rheumatoid Arthritis”.
What is your main research focus?
Our research team is interested in the underlying mechanisms of the gut–bone axis, with a focus on effector molecules linking both systems. Beyond serving as energy carriers, dietary metabolites act as direct modulators of immune functions. Since immune responses both require and reshape metabolism, our work explores the interplay between immunology, metabolism, and nutrition, aiming to advance the prevention and resolution of inflammation in autoimmune diseases.
What does your typical workday look like?
A typical workday starts with a good double espresso and involves many stimulating discussions with students and project leaders on diverse scientific questions. As a group leader, I am also responsible for funding, including administrative tasks and grant applications. I also contribute to university committees with a strong focus on sustainability in research.
