Bio

To be able to achieve my research mission, a highly interdisciplinary scientific background is required. Therefore, after finishing my first BS in Molecular Biology with Bioinformatics, I did a second Bachelor and a Master in Mathematics, which included quantum physics. In my doctoral studies I came back to the applied life sciences and worked on new methods and tools for computational drug design.

Having degrees in different fields (molecular/computational biology/mathematics with physics, computer aided drug design) allows me to bridge the worlds of theory, (software) implementation, and application. A major theoretical interest of mine is the development of novel free energy methods, in particular in the area of quantum mechanics, as they have the potential to predict compound binding affinities with the required accuracy and precision. I have since developed a novel method which can take nuclear quantum effects (aside from electronic quantum effects) into account. A further goal within my research is to combine virtual screenings and quantum mechanical free energy predictions to allow the exploration of the chemical space relevant for drug discovery in a quantitative as well as qualitative way. Moreover, I am active in applying the new methods which I have developed to promising drug discovery projects.

Education & Research Positions

  • St Jude Children's Research Hospital: Lead Scientist, 5/2023-current
  • Harvard University, Physics Department: Associate, 9/2018-current
  • Harvard University, Harvard Medical School: Research Associate, 2/2021-4/2023
  • Harvard University, Harvard Medical School: Research Fellow, 7/2018-2/2021
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: Research Fellow, 7/2018-current
  • International Max Planck Research School for Computational Biology and Scientific Computing, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany, 2016-2018
  • Berlin Mathematical School - Phase II (graduate school), 2014-2018
  • PhD in Mathematics (focus on computational drug discovery and quantum chemistry), Freie Universität Berlin, Germany 2014-2018
  • Berlin Mathematical School - Phase I (graduate school), 2012-2014
  • MSc in Mathematics (focus on quantum physics), Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, 2012-2014
  • BSc in Mathematics, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, 2010-2012
  • BSc in Molecular Biology (with bioinformatics), Westphaelian University of Applied Sciences, Germany, 2004-2009

Affiliations

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