Profile
Abstract
I am a veterinarian (DVM, Dr. med. vet.) researcher in equine immunology. Since 2020, I am the Emmy Noether Junior Reasearch Group Leader on severe Equine Asthma. My group is affiliated with the Institute of Immunology at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Our research in the ongoing project focuses on adaptive immune responses in the pathogenesis of severe Equine Asthma.
Furthermore, I have performed immunological research in the fields of Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection and equine melanoma. Besides, I have generated new monoclonal antibodies for the detection of equine molecules (e.g. chemokines).
I teach in Immunology, Laboratory Animal Science ('Labortierkunde') and in the focus Respiratory System ('Fokus Respiration').
Professional career
- since 01/2020
Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Leader Antigen identification and characterization of adaptive immune responses in severe Equine AsthmaLeipzig University, Germany;College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Immunology - 06/2018 - 12/2019
Senior Postdoctoral FellowCarl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Germany;Department of Human Medicine, Perioperative Inflammation and Infection - 05/2015 - 05/2018
Postdoctoral Fellow Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; College of Veterinary Medicine, Wagner Laboratory of Immunology - 04/2011 - 03/2015
Doctoral studies (Dr. med. vet.)University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany;Clinic for Horses
Education
- 10/2005 - 03/2011
Studies Veterinary Medicine (DVM)Justus-Liebig-University, Gießen, Germany
Panel Memberships
- since 01/2024
Speaker Study Group Veterinary Immunology (VIA) of the German Society for Immunology (DGfI).
I am a veterinary immunologist with a focus on equine immunology and the the respiratory system.
Since 2020, I have established a Junior Research Group at Leipzig University at the Institute of Immunology of the College of Veterinary Medicine. We analyze immune responses in severe Equine Asthma aiming to identify disease-relevant antigens and to characterize critical antibody - and T cell responses in detail.
Before, I studied the horse’s immune response to equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection, and EHV-1 vaccination during my postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell University (PI Dr. Bettina Wagner). Furthermore, I generated new monoclonal antibodies specific for equine chemokines to enable their quantification by different methods.
In my doctoral thesis at the College of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, I evaluated the innate immune responses to a DNA-based vaccine candidate against equine melanoma.
Key methods:
- Antigen-specific serology (Western blots, ELISA, bead-based assays)
- Immune proteomics
- Flow cytometry
- Hybridoma technology, antibody generation and assay development
- In vitro models with primary cells
- In vivo studies in large animal models
My current teaching focus is immunology (Veterinary Medicine).
Classes:
- Immunology (digital seminars, lectures)
- Focus respiratory system (lecture): Immunology of Equine Asthma
- Laboratory Animal Science: Horses as experimental animals
Exams:
- Immunology (written)
- Laboratory animal science (written)
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Immunology - digital seminars and lecture
Seminars
- Blood leukocytes and flow cytometry
- Antibodies in phagocytosis and oxidative burst
Lecture
- acquired humoral immunity
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Immunology / Focus Respiratory System
Immunology of Equine Asthma
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Laboratory Animal Science
Horses as experimental animals