Team
We're the dynamic squad behind the 2024 PhD conference, a bunch of brilliant minds from the PhD School of Life Sciences at the faculty of Medicine and Science! 🎓 Let the academic festivities begin!
Aiswarya Sajeevan
Aiswarya is interested in exploring the molecular complexities of fission yeast biology. In particular, she is studying the function of the small rho family GTPase Cdc42 in the process of cell-cell fusion.
When she's not in lab mode, you'll find her sketching or hanging out with friends over a chilled brew.
Office: Science III, 1027. Sophie Martin Lab
Alba Rodriguez Bryant
Alba is interested in identifying nutritional interventions to enhance postmenopausal women’s bone health via the intriguing gut-bone axis. She is currently working in collaboration with the Hospital of Geneva to identify metabolic profiles associated to bone health using clinical data.
Outside of the lab, Alba loves to engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, taking refreshing swims in the lake, or enjoying horseback riding in nature.
Email:
Office: Nestlé Research - EPFL Innovation Park, Building H, 1015 Lausanne
Burak Ünsal
Burak is focused on behavioral neuroscience, specifically he is interested in the dynamics of the neuronal population activities in various brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex, that occurs during tasks requiring attention and decision making. He is working with mice.
When he is not in the lab, Burak enjoys taking walks, meeting up with friends, seeing new places, learning about history and practicing his piano
Email:
Daniela Reis Galvao
For her Ph.D journey, Daniela is interested in better understanding the interactions between NK cells, monocytes and endothelial activation during the destruction of antibody-coated target cells, comparing the behavior of cells from healthy donors, IgG4-related disease patients and other related antibody-associated pathologies.
Outside of the lab, Daniela enjoys skiing or hiking, spending time with friends over a beer (or two) or just chilling by the lake. If you happen to meet her on the dance floor, you can be sure that she will be the last one to leave.
Office: Faculty of Medicine, Dept. Pathology and Immunology (Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University of Geneva, CMU, Romm E.07.3351.a)
Jerome Gagneux
Jerome is interested in Cell division. His PhD is more focused on centromeres and how those complexes are passed on to the next generation. In order to understand that, he is using C.elegans as a model where the protein KNL-2 seems to be very important in this process.
Outside of the lab, Jerome loves to drink, climb or ski as long as he is with friends.
Email:
Office: Laboratory of Florian Steiner, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MOCEL), Sciences III, 30 Quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Keigo Shibata
Hailing from Japan, Keigo’s interest lies in understanding how complex gene regulation is orchestrated by tiny RNA molecules. In his PhD work, he studies how the father's genetic messages, carried by RNA in sperm, guide the initial steps of an embryo's life.
Outside of the lab, he is an avid traveler.
Office: CMU, E09.3356.a
Marie Gimenez
Marie is a PhD student delving into the intricate relationship between the immune system and the brain. Her primary focus lies in unraveling the mechanisms that underlie the pathology of the secondary progressive phase of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a challenging central nervous system disease predominantly affecting young adults.
Outside of the lab, Marie finds joy in outings with the company of friends and good music. And when she's not immersed in the scientific world, you'll likely find her daydreaming with a captivating book in hand.
Email:
Office: Faculty of Medicine, Dept. Pathology and Immunology (Doron Merkler Lab - E05.2352.A )
Mariana Alcocer Bonifaz
Mariana is studying the effect of immune imprinting in antibody functionality and quality after influenza virus vaccination. She performs immunological and virology assays to identify differences in antibody responses in different individuals.
In her free time, Mariana loves traveling with her friends and discovering her new passions such as hiking, boxing and tennis.
Email:
Office: Faculty of Medicine, Dept. Pathology and Immunology (Benjamin Meyer Lab)
Mohit
Mohit’s PhD focused on optimizing retinal culture conditions by co-culturing iPSC-derived RPE cells with retinas, with the goal of creating a more effective ex vivo system for both studying retinal biology and facilitating drug development within the scope of 4R principles.
If not in the lab, you will find him cruising around the mountains and exploring different corners of the world.
Email:
Office: La Tulipe, floor 4, 1D-4-416, Avenue de la Roseraie 64 CH-1205 Geneva
Paula Torres Rodríguez
Paula is an immunologist whose PhD focuses on understanding the impact of immunosuppressive drugs on the immune response to novel vaccines. Based on clinical observations, she works with a mouse model to characterise the molecular and cellular mechanisms triggered by the Shingrix vaccine at the site of vaccination.
Outside of the lab, Paula enjoys exploring new places and spending time with friends. She is always up for a swim in the lake or skiing in the mountains.
Email:
Office: Faculty of Medicine, Dept. Pathology and Immunology (Arnaud Didierlaurent Lab - E06.2352.A )
Ruramai Tarupiwa
Ruramai is a molecular biologist whose PhD work is primarily focused on understanding how centromeres are epigenetically established in C.elegans. Besides being obsessed with Science, Ruramai enjoys having deep conversations with friends over a beer or two and absolutely loves traveling the continent of Africa.
Email:
office: Science III, Office 3027B
Sophia Schmidt
The focus of Sophia`s PhD lies in deciphering molecular mechanisms of fundamental processes in cell cycle division. She uses cryo-EM for structural studies and combines this with activity assays of proteins and studies of the model organism C.elegans.
Sophia loves to spend her free time dancing, swimming, climbing, cycling and skiing together with her friends.
Email:
Office: Boland laboratory, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MOCEL), Sciences III, 30 Quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Umut Batman
In his Ph.D. journey, Umut is interested in microtubule cytoskeleton and centrioles, with a keen focus on unraveling the function and atomic structure of the A-C linker complex. How? By weaving together cryo-EM, cell biology, expansion microscopy, and a dash of biochemistry magic.
Outside the lab, Umut enjoys trying new recipes in the kitchen and hanging out with friends. Whether it's board games, travel, or just sharing a few beers, good times are always on the agenda.
Office: Science III, 2005C, Guichard/Hamel Lab
Valeria Catapano
Valeria is a biologist currently pursuing her PhD in Charlotte Aumeier’s “Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Cytoskeleton” lab. Her research focuses on myoblast differentiation and the huge microtubules rearrangements occurring during this process.
Away from the microscope, you’ll most probably find Valeria somewhere at the seaside or with her beautiful dog.
Office: Aumeier lab, Department of Biochemistry, Sciences II
Zeynep Gul
Zeynep’s studies aim to understand the control of the circadian clock on the immune system, and she focuses on characterizing different vaccine adjuvants for their optimal time-dependent effects to improve vaccination strategies.
Outside of the lab, Zeynep practices tennis and yoga, and she enjoys spending time outside with friends like hiking or snowboarding in the mountains!
Email:
Office: Department of Pathology and Immunology (PATIM) Centre Médical Universitaire (CMU), Labo F06.3363.a Rue Michel-Servet 1 Geneva 4