Major Cancer Biology Students 2021

Vuslat had joined Major Cancer Biology @ DKFZ with a BSc degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey

view Vuslat's profile on LinkedIn

University Education
10/2021 – Present: M.Sc. Molecular Biosciences – Major Cancer Biology, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Germany
10/2017 – 08/2021: B.Sc. Biomedical Sciences – Reutlingen University, Germany

Highest Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Title of Bachelor's Thesis: Deciphering the Mechanism of Aβ-induced NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in iPSC-derived Microglia

Internships/Work Experience
05/2021 – 08/2021: Student research assistant in Prof. Dr. Oliver Brüstle's Laboratory for Reconstructive Neurobiology, Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Germany
10/2020 – 05/2021: Bachelor Thesis in Prof. Dr. Oliver Brüstle's Laboratory for Reconstructive Neurobiology, Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Germany
08/2019 – 02/2020: Research internship in the Morison Laboratory for Epigenetics and Cancer, Department of Pathology, University of Otago, New Zealand (Validation of differential methylation in pre-eclampsia generated by a genome-wide discovery platform using targeted sequencing)

Conference contributions
Mathews, M., Besemer, B., Wißfeld, J., Shahraz, A., Neumann, H., Brüstle, O. "Scalable production of iPSC-derived microglia for modelling neuroinflammation", International Society for Stem Cell Research Annual Meeting (ISSCR), June 21-26, 2021.
Besemer, B., Mathews, M., and Brüstle, O. "Modeling inflammasome activation in human iPSC-derived microglia", Stem Cell Network NRW, Germany. March 29-30, 2021.

Scientific Interests/Future Plans
Despite significant improvements in early detection and novel innovative treatment approaches over the past decades, cancer remains to be one of the main causes of death. One reason for this phenomenon may be the fascinating yet terrifying heterogeneity of these malignancies which makes it difficult to come up with a universal solution to cure and prevent the wide variety of complex aberrations that ultimately result in tumorigenesis. Personally, I believe that the intricacy of such molecular processes can only be fully understood by extending the scope of science in an interdisciplinary approach. The link between stem cells and cancer cells as well as the strategy to take advantage of the body's immune system to better understand and tackle this disease is especially intriguing to me. The possibility to hopefully contribute to a positive development is what keeps me motivated and encourages me to pursue a meaningful career in cancer research.

Contact: brenda.besemer (at) dkfz.de
LinkedIn profile

Simay had joined Major Cancer Biology @ DKFZ with a BSc degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Bahcesehir University, Istanbul, Turkey

view Simay's profile on LinkedIn

Sergei had joined Major Cancer Biology @ DKFZ with a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) degree in Medical Biophysics and Bioinformatics from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Russia

view Sergei's profile on LinkedIn

University Education
10/2021 – present: M.Sc. in Molecular Biosciences – Major Cancer Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Germany
10/2018 – 09/2021: B.Sc. in Biomedicine, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Germany

Highest Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Biomedicine
Title of Bachelor's Thesis: Platelet function and fibrinolysis in patients with sepsis and Covid-19

Internships/Work Experience
03/2020 – 09/2021: Student Assistant at the Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, Virusdiagnostics (Dr. Benedikt Weißbrich), Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Germany
04/2021 – 08/2021: Internship and Bachelor's thesis at the Institute of Experimental Biomedicine I (AG Schulze), University Hospital Würzburg, Germany
10/2014 – 11/2014: Internship at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Experimental Immunology, Brunswick, Germany

Scientific Interests/Future Plans
The idea of pursuing a career in research has always fascinated me because as a scientist, you acquire an expertise which is to become the foundation of future advice and progress. Cancer especially interests me due to its multifarious characteristics. It is highly intriguing how an individual cell can cause the collapse of an entire organism and I strive to contribute to the ongoing research. Ultimately, my goal is to achieve an improvement in patients' lives. So far, I am particularly curious about developing more efficient treatments while decreasing negative impact on healthy cells, for instance by an oncolytic virotherapy approach. Through my master studies at DKFZ, I seek to gain a deep and interdisciplinary understanding of cancer biology in order to connect with international scientists and be best prepared for my subsequent PhD.

Contact: noemi.fricke (at) dkfz.de
LinkedIn profile

University Education
10/2021 – Today: M.Sc. Molecular Biosciences – Major Cancer Biology at the Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg and the DKFZ, Germany
10/2017 – 08/2021: B.Sc. Biomedical Sciences at Reutlingen University, Germany

Highest Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Title of Bachelor's Thesis: Neuron-Microglia Interaction in a Cell Culture Model of Neurodegeneration

Internships/Work Experience
04/2021 – 08/2021: Student Assistant at the AG Heneka, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
07/2021-08/2021: Student Assistant at the 'Rheinlandstudie', German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
10/2020 – 05/2021: Bachelor Thesis at the AG Heneka, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
08/2019 – 01/2020: Internship at the Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration, University of Toronto, Canada (Latent TGF-β1 Presentation by GARP on the Surface of Macrophages)

Scientific Interests/Future Plans
The progress in cancer research has been immense over the last decades. However, the complex interactions of different cell types within the tumor microenvironment remain to be elucidated. By studying the innate immune system during my bachelor's thesis, it has come to my attention that surprisingly, cancer cells are able to exploit functions of the immune system to their own advantage. This has sparked my interest in tumor immunology and its enormous variety within the tumor microenvironment. My goal is to contribute to a better understanding of how cancer cells communicate and interact with neighbouring cells, and advance research leading to even more sophisticated treatment options. The Cancer Biology Major at the DKFZ gives me the opportunity to become a well-rounded scientist with creative and innovative approaches. It will involve me in a broad variety of captivating fields in cancer research which will prepare me for my future doctoral studies.

Contact: charlotte.geck (at) dkfz.de
LinkedIn profile

Tim had joined Major Cancer Biology @ DKFZ with a BSc degree in Molecular Biomedicine from the University of Bonn, Germany

LinkedIn view Tim's profile on LinkedIn

University Education
10/2021 – present: M.Sc. in Molecular Biosciences – Major Cancer Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Germany
10/2017 – 09/2021: B.Sc. in Molecular Medicine, Eberhard-Karls University Tuebingen, Germany

Highest Degree: Bachelor of Science in Molecular Medicine
Title of Bachelor's Thesis: Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9-mediated screening to identify synthetic lethal interactors of mTOR inhibition in glioblastoma

Internships/Work Experience
04/2021 – 09/2021: Bachelor Thesis in the group of Prof. Dr. Dr. Ghazaleh Tabatabai, Department of Neurology and Interdisciplinary Neurooncology, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Tübingen, Germany
11/2020 – 07/2021: Student Assistant in the group of Prof. Dr. Juliane Walz, Clinical Cooperation Unit Immunology, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
09/2020 – 10/2020: Internship in the group of Prof. Dr. Dr. Julia Skokowa, Division of Translational Oncology, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
10/2019 – 08/2020: Internship in the group of Prof. Dr. Tony Kouzarides, Wellcome Trust/CRUK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, UK
09/2018 – 03/2019: Student Assistant in the group of Prof. Dr. Patrick Müller, Friedrich-Miescher Laboratory of the Max-Planck Society, Tübingen, Germany

Scientific Interests/Future Plans
Although extensive research on the development and progression of cancer throughout the past decades has led to the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches focusing on vulnerabilities of cancer, specific cancer cells are still able to give rise to even more aggressive forms of cancer after an initially successful treatment. The underlying cellular processes that enable these cells to bypass multiple treatments are so far only poorly understood. Therefore, there is an urgent need for additional research on these resistance mechanisms to eventually pave the way for advanced therapeutics. As a student of Cancer Biology at the DKFZ, I seek to make use of this unique supportive research environment to expand my theoretical knowledge and practical skills in cutting-edge techniques in order to contribute to current research projects. Following, I aim to participate in the ongoing fight against cancer by pursuing a PhD in the field of cancer research.

Contact: jens.maile (at) dkfz.de
LinkedIn profile

University Education
10/2021-present: M.Sc Molecular Biosciences- Major Cancer Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Germany
10/2018-09/2021: B.Sc Biology- Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany

Highest Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Biology
Title of Bachelor's Thesis: CD11c+ cell type-specific IL-10 secretion and signaling in oral immune homeostasis

Internships/Work Experience
11/2020– 08/2021: Research Internship and Bachelor Thesis at the Institute for Molecular Medicine, AG Clausen, University Medical Center Mainz, Germany
12/2019– 08/2021: Research Assistant at the Institute for Molecular Medicine, AG Clausen, University Medical Center Mainz, Germany

Scientific Interests/Future Plans
Despite intensive research, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. This highlights the relevance of understanding this disease. The goal is to find better ways of prevention, detection and treatment. It is precisely this clinical context with its heterogeneity and complexity that encouraged me to dive deeper into the interdisciplinary research field of cancer biology. I am particularly captivated by the on the one hand life-threatening but on the other hand fascinating hallmarks of carcinogenic cells to evade the immune system and to be able to spread unimpeded. Those are just some reasons why I am interested in specializing in cancer immunology. The DKFZ offers a wide variety of faculties and thus a great opportunity to improve my knowledge and practical skills in order to find my place in cancer research.

Contact: lina.merg (at) dkfz.de
LinkedIn profile

University Education
10/2021 – present: Molecular Biosciences | Major Cancer Biology – Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat Heidelberg & DKFZ, Heidelberg, GERMANY (Master's Degree)
10/2016 – 09/2021: Molecular Biology and Genetics – Izmir Institute of Technology, İzmir, TURKEY (Bachelor's Degree)

Highest Degree: Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Genetics

Internships/Work Experience
07/2019 – 08/2021: Undergraduate Research Assistant at Izmir Institute of Technology, PI: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülistan Meşe Özçivici, Izmir, TURKEY
Projects:
-Investigation of Effect of Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication on Cancer Cell Migration in Different Human Breast Cancer Subtypes
-Investigation of Roles of Connexin32 on Tumorigenic Properties of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
-Investigation of Molecular Pathways Affected by Connexin26 Mutations in Keratitis-Ichthyosis-Deafness Syndrome

Scientific Interests/Future Plans
Intercellular communication is crucial for homeostasis and the fate of cancer. Neighbouring cells can promote and/or repress the progression of cancer through intercellular communication. There's no doubt that this communication may lead to epigenetic alterations which in turn result in therapy resistance, stemness, heterogeneity, and dormancy which are indeed real troubles in clinics. The interesting part is that each cancer (sub)type might give different responses to certain signals depending on the context. Therefore, I want to focus on the epigenetic reflection of intercellular communication in these particular events at the single-cell level.
I feel so lucky because DKFZ hosts many groups in line with my diverse interests. I am pretty sure that I will be well-equipped for my doctoral and post-doctoral studies after this program. Afterward, I will keep researching as I believe that there will always be something fascinating just waiting to be discovered underneath the microscope.

Contact: sercan.oez (at) dkfz.de
LinkedIn profile

María had joined Major Cancer Biology @ DKFZ with a BSc degree in Biology from the University of Granada, Spain

view María's profile on LinkedIn

Umberto had joined Major Cancer Biology @ DKFZ with a BSc degree in Biotechnologies from the University of Ferrara, Italy

view Umberto's profile on LinkedIn

Korbinian had joined Major Cancer Biology @ DKFZ with a BSc degree in Biosciences from Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Germany

view Korbinian's profile on LinkedIn

María had joined Major Cancer Biology @ DKFZ with a BSc degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from the Technical University Dresden, Germany

view Bruno's profile on LinkedIn

Ezgi had joined Major Cancer Biology @ DKFZ with a BSc degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey

view Ezgi's profile on LinkedIn

Yannick had joined Major Cancer Biology @ DKFZ with a BSc degree in Biomedicine from the Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Germany

view Yannick's profile on LinkedIn

Pravin had joined Major Cancer Biology @ DKFZ with a B.Tech degree in Biotechnology from the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, India

view Pravin's profile on LinkedIn

University/College Education
Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India (2017-2021)
Highest Degree: Bachelors of Engineering (B.E) in Biotechnology
Title of Bachelor's Thesis: Exploring the Genetics of Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia in the Indian Cohort

Internships/Work Experience
Secured a two-month fellowship with the Indian Academy of Sciences to work at Amity institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem cell research, Noida, India (2019)
Project intern at the National institute of Mental health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India (2021)

Publications
In silico screening of antiviral compounds from Moringa oleifera for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 main protease
In silico analysis of Phyllanthus amarus phytochemicals as potent drugs against SARS-CoV-2 main protease

Scientific Interests/Future Plans
Genomics has been a field which has been rapidly evolving since initial work in this domain. Genomic studies have helped us solve several biological problems associated with evolution, diseases identification and cure, to name a few. The rise in volume of data as a consequence of advancements in the field and my interest in employing principles of genomics in cancer prediction and therapy is what made me choose this course and majors. The heterogeneity associated with cancer in individuals is equivalent to how different we are in the genetic level and I wish to use these differences to generate data to move towards predicting the occurrence and progression of the disease even before external observation of first symptoms, in order to get the right cure well-ahead of time.

Contact: priyanka.venkatesh (at) dkfz.de
LinkedIn profile

University Education
2018-2021 University Jusip Juraj Strossmayer, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Laboratory diagnostics, Osijek, Croatia

Highest Degree: Bachelor of medical laboratory diagnostics (BSc.med.lab.diag.)
Title of Bachelor's Thesis: The Role of Interleukin-6 as a Prognostic Marker in Patients with COVID-19

Scientific Interests/Future Plans
Cancer incidence continues to increase worldwide and still presents one of the leading causes of death in humans. Despite the remarkable progress that's been done regarding cancer research, there are still numerous enigmas when it comes to cancer pathways.
In order to fully understand cancer development and pathways it is a prerequisite to combine different fields in bioscience - it was this diversity of cancer that sparked my passion for studying cancer biology.
To be given the opportunity to study at the DKFZ as one of the largest biomedical research institutes in Germany is a golden chance to expand my theoretical knowledge and acquire practical experience in top tier academic laboratories.
My goal is to pursue a career in cancer biology with the aim of contributing to cutting-edge research that could help in the prevention, diagnostics and treatment of cancer.

Contact: niklas.veocic (at) dkfz.de
LinkedIn profile

University Education
10/2021 – present: M.Sc. in Molecular Biosciences – Major Cancer Biology, Ruprechts-Karls University of Heidelberg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
10/2018 – 09/2021: B.Sc. Biomedical Science (Major in Tumor Biology) at Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany

Highest Degree: Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) in Biomedical Science
Title of Bachelor's Thesis: Influence of macrophage-derived TSG-6 and Serglycin on the mesothelial integrity and subsequent metastasis in ovarian carcinoma

Internships/Work Experience
08/02/2021 – 13/09/2021: Internship and Bachelor's thesis in the group of Dr. Silke Reinartz, Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany

Scientific Interests/Future Plans
Cancer. A term describing a multitude of different tumor entities with heterogeneous characteristics in gene expression, signalling pathways, distinct tumor microenvironments and much more. During my bachelor's studies, I discovered my fascination for the interdisciplinary field of tumorigenesis in the context of immunology. It is not only important to understand the mechanisms of how tumor cells evade our immune system, but also how a tumor microenvironment containing polarized immune cells contributes to cancer development. As a student of Molecular Biosciences with Major in Cancer Biology, I desire to gain a closer insight in therapeutic strategies targeting the interaction with the immune system as well as different clinical approaches. Furthermore, I would like to learn about inter-/intratumor heterogeneity and the effects on personalized treatments. I am highly motivated to improve my technical and methodological proficiency at this cutting-edge institution, the DKFZ and pursue an academic career.

Contact: franziska.werner (at) dkfz.de
LinkedIn profile

Elisabeth had joined Major Cancer Biology @ DKFZ with a BSc degree in Molecular Biology from the Johannes-Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany

University Education
2021-2023 M.Sc. Cancer Biology at the Ruprecht- Karls University and the DKFZ in Heidelberg, Germany
2017-2021 B.Sc. Molecular Medicine at the Albert-Ludwig University in Freiburg, Germany

Highest Degree: B.Sc. Molecular Medicine
Title of Bachelor's Thesis: Chronic granulomatous disease: Impact of the NADPH
oxidase 2 on myeloid cell differentiation

Internships/Work Experience
April-July 2021: 3-Month Internship at the AG Fischer in the DKFZ in Heidelberg, Germany
Dec 2019 - April 2021: Student Research Assistant at the AG Henneke in the Centre for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Freiburg, Germany
May-Aug 2020: Bachelor-Thesis "Chronic granulomatous disease: Impact of the NADPH
oxidase 2 on myeloid cell differentiation" at the AG Henneke in the Centre for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Freiburg, Germany
March 2019: Internship at the Maurer´s Lab at the Institute for Molecular Medicine and Cell Research (IMMZ) Institute in Freiburg, Germany
Feb-April 2018: Internship at the BROAD Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA: "Molecular design of the human Telomerase gene for cancer inhibition studies"
Jul-Sep 2017: 3 months internship at the Department of Biological and Chemical Development at Bayer AG, Germany

Scientific Interests/Future Plans

Contact: tara.ziegelbauer (at) dkfz.de
LinkedIn profile

Eleni had joined Major Cancer Biology @ DKFZ with a BSc degree in Molecular Medicine from Ulm University, Germany

view Eleni's profile on LinkedIn