Board members

Members of the Board 2020-2021

Board position: President
Lab: Polymenidou lab
Nationality: Swiss
Scientific background: Biochemist
Fun fact: Loves to create crazy PhD hats
Favorite book: The catcher in the rye
Favorite drink: A glass of Nero d’Avola


 

Auri is a PhD student that tries to understand how native TDP-43 protein can become pathological aggregates in ALS and FTD. She has studied Biochemistry at the University of Zurich, where she already was active for more than three years in the student organisation Atamoi. She loves the lab life and is always up for some social events. In private, she likes to drink red wine, read books and listen to music. Auri has decided to become a part of the DQBM JUSCOR to make sure that the junior scientists at the DQBM have a really loud voice in the Department and in University politics.
 

Board position: Vice-President
Lab: Polymenidou lab
Nationality: Swiss
Scientific background: Neurobiologist
Fun fact: Broccoli-lover
Favorite book: Harry Potter
Favorite drink: Coffee


 

Johanna is a PhD student in the Polymenidou lab working on understanding the seeding properties of TDP-43 and trying to find immunotherapies for TDP-43-associated pathologies, such as ALS and FTD. She enjoys hiking in summer, skiing in winter and spending time with friends and family all year around. Johanna joined the DQBM JUSCOR because she thinks it is important that young researchers have a voice in the academic world. 

Board position: Finances and Grants
Lab: Polymenidou lab
Nationality: Slovak
Scientific background: Molecular Biologist
Fun fact: enjoys playing PC games
Favorite book: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Favorite drink: White Russian

 

Tomas is a PhD student in Polymenidou lab working on understanding the roles of RNAs in TDP-43 and FUS proteinopathies. He has studied Genetics, Molecular biology and Virology at the Charles University in Prague. In his free time he likes to play PC and board games, watch movies and hang out with his friends and colleagues. 

Board position: Finances and Grants
Lab: Polymenidou lab
Nationality: Belgian
Scientific background: Biochemist
Fun fact: I have the sweetest border collie in the world!
Favorite book: The one I am reading
Favorite drink: a good Gin Tonic
 

Laura is a PhD student in the Polymenidou lab working on understanding how the regulation of oligomerization could play a role against the development of TDP-43 proteinopathies. She enjoys hiking, bouldering and camping with friends and her dog, skiing, cooking and having quality time with family and friends. Laura joined the DQBM JUSCOR because she wants to make members feel welcome and supported. Additionally, she absolutely values the voice of a young researcher in the academic world.

Board position: Communication 
Lab: Polymenidou lab
Nationality: Italian
Scientific background: Pharmacist
Fun fact:  ex volleyball player, wannabe singer and videogames addicted!
Favorite book: fantasy books in general
Favorite drink: Gin Tonic with a slice of cucumber
 

In January 2019, Elena joined the Polymenidou lab as a PhD student, where she tries to elucidate mechanisms of toxicity of TDP-43 and FUS in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and FTD. In particular, she is eager to learn how FUS and TDP-43 regulates RNA homeostasis in the axon and at the synapse.    

Board position: Politics
Lab: Krauthammer lab
Nationality: Chilean
Scientific background: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Fun fact: enjoys hitchhiking for traveling
Favorite book: Atlas Shrugged
Favorite drink: Pisco Sour

Nico is a Postdoctoral researcher in the Krauthammer Lab and is interested in using data science on translational medicine. He did his PhD in Chemical Engineering in Johns Hopkins University working with an interdisciplinary team, fabricating his own microfluidic devices, performing the molecular biology and writing algorithms to process images. Other interests include hiking, dancing and playing ukulele.