What is your current position?
I am a Research Group Leader for Osteo- and Dentalimmunology. Within DIONE, I collaborate with Dr. Ulrike Baschant on project A05: “Investigating the role of iron in inflammation-induced bone loss: insights into osteoclast metabolism.”
What is your main research focus?
My group investigates the intracellular metabolism of immune and bone cells, with a strong emphasis on how metabolic reprogramming and altered bioenergetics drive inflammation and bone destruction. We are particularly interested in the crosstalk between bone and immune cells, aiming to unravel how their interactions shape the course of inflammatory and degenerative diseases.
Another key aspect of our work is the oral microbiome and its contribution to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. By understanding these mechanisms, we hope to identify novel strategies for both prevention and therapy.
What does your typical workday look like?
My key task is to create an environment where my team can work efficiently by taking care of challenges behind the scenes. I spend my days mentoring PhD students, keeping projects on track, collaborating with clinical partners, and dedicating time to developing grant proposals and publications. What makes an ordinary day truly exciting are new collaborations, setting up novel experiments and models, and celebrating shared successes with the team.
