Doctoral Students
Our cohort of 11 doctoral researchers from 8 countries combines diverse expertise with a strong interdisciplinary foundation to advance research on environment–disease interactions.
QUALIFICATION BACKGROUND
Highest Degree (e.g. MSC MA, etc. discipline): MSc in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
University and country: University of Milan, Italy
RESEARCH PROFILE
Impact Focus:
The 21st century is associated with industrial expansion and rapid urbanization, thus, leading to a continuous dependence on fossil fuels, which eventually results in combustion of persistent, odorless gas. Particles of the gas can accumulate outdoors and indoors by causing permanent exposure to air pollution, affecting people’s well-being.
Asli Altayeva investigates how carbon monoxide (CO), which can be recognised as one of the life-threatening air pollutants, may affect physiological and pathophysiological processes within the cardiovascular system. Her work contributes to better understanding the mechanism of action of CO induced vasodilation in newborns.
Key Themes:
Cardiovascular system, environmental factors, signaling pathways, expression analysis, in vitro studies, membrane potential.
Methods and tools:
Sampling starts from dissection of rats’ vessels, which are further homogenized to collect RNA samples to perform a real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to measure a gene expression. On the other hand, the same isolated vessels are mounted on wire myograph to estimate their vascular tone under different conditions.
Candidate:
Asli Altayeva
PI:
Prof. Dr. med. Rudolf Schubert
Contact:
Doctoral student for Research Project:
QUALIFICATION BACKGROUND
Highest Degree (e.g. MSC MA, etc. discipline): M.Sc Bioinformatics
University and country: Pondicherry University, India
RESEARCH PROFILE
Impact Focus:
The epigenomics of cancer is largely environmentally influenced. Several external factors, alongside the internal ones, can trigger and exacerbate the disease. Additionally, it is also exhausting, both for the patients undergoing treatment and the clinicians treating it. The project ‘cfDNA epigenetic profiling in nanopore sequencing’ intends to contribute into making cancer diagnosis much simpler, potentially a simple blood test, by extracting circulating cell free DNA from patient blood plasma and retracing them back to the tissue-of-origin. In future, this could also help in detecting a molecular relapse before it is visible through imaging, and potentially provide better treatment and prognosis.
Key Themes:
Nanopore sequencing for liquid biopsy
Tissue-of-origin analyses
Candidate:
Supriya Dash
PI:
Prof. Dr. rer.nat. Matthias Schlesner
Contact:
Doctoral student for Research Project:
Methods and tools:
- Extraction of cfDNA from longitudinal solid tumour plasma samples stored in the Augsburg plasma biobank.
- Sequencing extracted cfDNA using PromethION 2.
- Regression Modelling in R/Python.
- Nextflow pipeline development
Research Interests
Cancer Epigenomics
Genetic cardiac diseases
Mathematical modelling for disease systems
QUALIFICATION BACKGROUND
Highest Degree (e.g. MSC MA, etc. discipline): MSc in cell/molecular biology
University and country: Saint Joseph’s University in the United States
RESEARCH PROFILE
Impact Focus
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of vision impairment in the elderly (PMID: 29032195) and has a significant impact on the lives of those affected by it. AMD is generally promoted by genetic (PMID: 9186125) and environmental factors (PMID: 11297486).
Key Themes:
The focus of Cavanagh’s project is to examine human neovascular AMD spatial distribution of disease associated myeloid cell populations across the retina, choroidal neovascularization (CNV) lesion, and choroid. Additionally, she will investigate novel therapeutic approaches combined with myeloid reporter models in the laser-induced model of CNV to examine vessel growth through lesion size measurements and spatial distribution of resident macrophages versus cells of monocytic origin.
Candidate:
Cavanagh Gohlich
PI:
Prof. Dr. rer.nat. Peter Wieghofer
Contact:
Methods and tools:
The methods employed for her project include immunofluorescence staining and microscopy for cell population distribution, followed by in vivo imaging and angiography to measure lesion size, and flow cytometry for cellular composition.
Doctoral student for Research Project:
QUALIFICATION BACKGROUND
Highest Degree (e.g. MSC MA, etc. discipline): MSc.
University and country: Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Izmir, Türkiye
RESEARCH PROFILE
Impact Focus:
Fatma Aybüke Mazi investigates how environmental exposures and the human microbiome may influence immune responses and complications after breast cancer surgery. Her work aims to better understand why some patients develop seroma, a common postoperative complication that can delay recovery and further treatment. By uncovering links between lifestyle, environmental factors, microbes, and immune activity, this research contributes to improving patient care and reducing complications for breast cancer patients.
Key Themes:
Breast cancer recovery and postoperative complications; human microbiome and immune system interactions; environmental and lifestyle influences on health; patient-centered and translational research.
Candidate:
Fatma Aybüke Mazi
PI:
Prof. Dr. med. Nina Ditsch
Contact:
fatma.mazi@med.uni-augsburg.de
Doctoral student for Research Project:
Methods and tools:
Microbiome profiling using molecular techniques such as qPCR and 16S rRNA sequencing, combined with analysis of microbiomics using mass spectrometry. The project also integrates lifestyle questionnaires and statistical data analysis to link environmental exposures with microbiome and immune responses.
Research Interests:
- Personalized and patient-centered approaches in cancer research and therapy
- Translational oncology: bridging basic research and clinical applications
- Microbiome role in tumor–microenvironment interactions
QUALIFICATION BACKGROUND
Highest Degree (e.g. MSC MA, etc. discipline): Master of Science Biochemistry
University and country: Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
RESEARCH PROFILE
Impact Focus:
Aging populations face an increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases and associated cognitive decline. Understanding how cardiovascular comorbidities affect brain vascular health and neuronal integrity may help identify early mechanisms linking systemic vascular disease to brain dysfunction. This knowledge could contribute to improved prevention strategies and therapeutic approaches for age- and cardiovascular-related neurological disorders.
Key Themes:
- Aging and Cardiovascular Comorbidities
- Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB) Integrity and Dysfunction
- Neurovascular Unit (NVU) alterations and impaired Neurovascular Coupling
- Neuronal Morphological Alterations
- Translational and Mechanistic Perspectives
Candidate:
Sarah Müller
PI:
Prof. Dr. rer.nat. Anja Meissner
Contact:
sarah.mueller@med.uni-augsburg.de
Doctoral student for Research Project:
Methods and tools:
The project combines histological staining techniques, including Fluorescence staining and Golgi–Cox staining, with microscopy-based imaging, RNA-based methods (e.g. qPCR), and protein-based analyses (e.g. Western blot) to investigate neurovascular alterations, blood–brain barrier integrity, and neuronal morphology.
Research Interests :
Broader academic themes beyond current project:
- Mechanisms of cognitive decline and neurodegeneration
- Inflammation and immune interactions in the brain
- Development of advanced molecular and imaging techniques to study brain health
- Computational neuroscience / quantitative analysis
- Translational neurovascular research
QUALIFICATION BACKGROUND
Highest Degree ( discipline): MS (Master of Science) Biomedical Sciences
University and country: National University of Sciences & Technology, Islamabad Pakistan
RESEARCH PROFILE
Impact Focus:
Maryam investigates how neuronal circuit controlling the feeding behaviour is disrupted in hyperphagia, ultimately leading to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. In today’s obesogenic environment, multiple exposures promote obesity and concomitant life-threatening complications finally by increasing overeating and sedentary lifestyle, contributing to chronic metabolic diseases with significant global health consequences. Her research focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms in the brain that drive overeating and interferes with appetite and energy balance. By studying how the neuronal pathways become disrupted under metabolic stress or environmental influences, she aims to identify the key mechanisms that drive overeating and metabolic imbalance. Her work contributes to a deeper understanding of brain–metabolism interactions and provides insights that supports the development of more effective therapeutic strategies to treat hyperphagia and obesity related disorders.
Candidate:
Maryam Nadeem
PI:
Prof. phil.nat. Marco Koch
Contact:
maryam.nadeem@med.uni-augsburg.de
Doctoral student for Research Project:
Key Themes:
Neurobiology of hyperphagia and obesity
Methods and tools:
Her research integrates cellular and molecular biology techniques, immunofluorescence and in vitro neuronal models to study the neuronal regulation of feeding behaviour.
Research Interests :
- Neuronal signaling
- Neuroendocrinology
- Neurodegenerative diseases
QUALIFICATION BACKGROUND
Highest Degree: D.V.M (Doctorate Degree in Veterinary Medicine)
University and country: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
RESEARCH PROFILE
Impact Focus:
Parvaneh investigates how environmental heat worsens obesity-associated pathologies like glucose intolerance or MASH.
Methods and tools:
Her work combines in-vivo mouse models and in-vitro studies to investigate neural and metabolic responses to environmental heat stress.
Research Interests:
Animal modeling and advanced in-vivo techniques to investigate physiological and pathological mechanisms of disease
Immunology of metabolic diseases, focusing on immune–metabolic interactions in diabetes and obesity
Candidate:
Parvaneh Nafisi Fard
PI:
Prof. Dr. rer.nat. Kerstin Stemmer
Contact:
Doctoral student for Research Project:
QUALIFICATION BACKGROUND
Highest Degree (e.g. MSC MA, etc. discipline): Master in Biology (Molecular Biology and Physiology)
University and country: KU Leuven, Belgium
RESEARCH PROFILE
Impact Focus:
Sankritya investigates how changes in cell surface glycosylation are associated with pathologies including cancer. The enzymes involved in glycan synthesis compete with usage of sugars for energy production. The availability of sugars is highly influenced by human lifestyle, including western-diet or physical inactivity which are the major risk factors that correlate to early-onset of cancer.
His work contributes to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms linking lifestyle-associated metabolic changes to cancer, with the long-term goal of developing analytical techniques and tools to study cancer.
Key Themes:
Glycosylation, cancer biology, post-translational modification, metabolic regulation
Candidate:
Sankritya Sarma
PI:
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Falk Büttner
Contact:
Methods and tools:
Cell culture, Urea PAGE, SDS PAGE, xCGE-LIF, CRISPR-Cas.
Research Interests
Molecular Mechanisms of Glycosylation in Health and Disease
Metabolic Control of Cellular Function and Disease
Doctoral student for Research Project:
QUALIFICATION BACKGROUND
Highest Degree (e.g. MSC MA, etc. discipline): Master of Science, Psychology
University and country: Technical University of Dresden, Germany
RESEARCH PROFILE
Impact Focus:
Julia Schweiger investigates how pediatric cancer, and its treatment affects the pain response system. Her work contributes to understanding why many young cancer survivors continue to experience chronic pain, shedding light on how early-life medical experiences can shape the developing nervous system. By identifying factors that influence long-term pain vulnerability, her research aims to improve care and enhance the quality of life for children and adolescents.
pediatric cancer, pain response and processing, chronic pain, pain vulnerability, developmental neuroscience, quality of life
Candidate:
Julia Schweiger
PI:
Prof. Dr. phil. Miriam Kunz
Contact:
Methods and tools:
Julia Schweiger uses experimental pain assessments with controlled heat stimuli to investigate how children experience and process pain, complemented by comparisons with healthy peers, longitudinal tracking, and literature-based analyses such as systematic reviews.
Doctoral student for Research Project:
QUALIFICATION BACKGROUND
Highest degree: MSc Medical Biochemistry
University and country: Kenyatta University, Kenya
RESEARCH PROFILE
Impact focus:
Chronic pain represents a major global health burden (20% of the global population) and remains difficult to prevent/treat effectively. Glycinergic neurons play a key role in spinal pain circuits by suppressing excessive excitatory signalling and gating nociceptive input. Disruption of this inhibition leads to pathological pain states including hyperalgesia, allodynia, and chronic pain, and has been observed in both inflammatory and neuropathic pain models. Despite the importance of these neurons to pain pathology, their molecular heterogeneity and contributions to chronic pain remain poorly understood. Yvonne investigates the molecular identities, subtype-specific markers, and functional roles of glycinergic neurons in the spinal cord with the aim of generating a comprehensive molecular atlas of these neuron populations and developing subtype-specific in vivo labelling tools. Her work contributes to laying a foundation for the selective targeting of inhibitory pain circuits, enabling more precise therapeutic strategies that restore inhibitory control of spinal pain pathways while minimising adverse effects.
Candidate:
Yvonne Wabai
PI:
Prof. Dr. rer.nat. Volker Eulenburg
Contact:
Key themes:
Neuroscience, transcriptomics, pain biology
Methods and tools:
Single-cell RNA sequencing, bioinformatics, spatial transcriptomics, RNAscope in situ hybridisation, fluorescence microscopy
Doctoral student for Research Project:
QUALIFICATION BACKGROUND
Highest Degree (Discipline): Biology (M.Sc.)
University and country: LMU Munich (B.Sc.), TUM (M.Sc.)
RESEARCH PROFILE
Impact Focus:
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness affecting individuals and families worldwide, with major societal impact. Christin Winkler von Grolman explores how environmental influences and gut-brain interactions contribute to biological processes underlying these disorders. Her work seeks to identify biomarkers and measurable metabolic signatures in blood and cerebrospinal fluid that could improve early detection, better prevention and the development of individualized treatment strategies.
Key Themes:
Gut-brain axis dysfunction in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders; intestinal permeability and immune-metabolic pathways as mediators between environmental (exposome) risk factors and CNS alterations; and integrative biomarker research combining permeability markers and targeted metabolomics to identify biologically relevant signatures across clinical phenotypes.
Candidate:
Christin Winkler von Grolman
PI:
Prof. Dr.med. Elias Wagner
Contact:
christin.winkler@med.uni-augsburg.de
Doctoral student for Research Project:
Methods and tools:
Samples will be analyzed using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays to identify specific markers. Targeted metabolomic profiling will be performed in serum und CSF using Biocrates platforms, enabling quantitative analysis of predefined metabolite panels via mass spectrometry-based detection.
Research Interests:
- Immune-metabolic mechanisms across complex diseases, including psychiatric disorders and cancer
- Neurobiology/-inflammation and CNS homeostasis
- Pathophysiology and biomarker discovery