I am a microbiologist studying bacterial interactions, with a focus on human pathogens and gut microbes. Currently, I am a postdoc in the group of Prof Kevin Foster where I use microscopy to observe bacteria killing each other.
I am originally from Munich (Germany), where I completed my Bachelor’s in Biology before moving to Switzerland for my Master’s and PhD in Microbiology. I then received a fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation to conduct research abroad, which brought me to Oxford, and I have worked at the Departments of Biochemistry and Zoology ever since.
My research covers bacterial interactions and their evolution, both crucial to further our understanding of the gut microbiome, bacterial infections, and the evolution of antimicrobial resistance. Our group at the Department of Biochemistry fosters collaborations across the Medical Sciences, including the Dunn School of Pathology, the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, and the rodent facility in the Biomedical Sciences Building. My colleagues and I are also embedded in OxBacNet – a network of microbiologists across Departments with many members from the Medical Sciences.