Liesz Lab – Stroke-Immunology

Arthur Liesz, Principal investigator

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Stefan Roth, Postdoctoral fellow

I studied biology with majors in immunology, human genetics and virology at the University of Tübingen. After finishing my diploma on neurodegeneration in CAG-repeat disorders in 2013 in Tübingen, I joined the Liesz lab to study the impact of systemic sterile inflammation after stroke. I focus in my work particularly on the correlation between stroke and vascular inflammation. In my life outside the lab, I love to travel, play badminton and squash. I also have a great interest in historic cars and enjoy restoring them.

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Gemma Llovera, Postdoctoral fellow

It all started in Barcelona (Spain) where a bachelor in Biology and a Master in Neuroscience gave me the tools to start the PhD in Munich in 2013. I graduated in March 2019 and continue since then my work on post-stroke neuroinflammation in the Liesz lab as a postdoctoral researcher. When I am not looking for new leukocyte invasion routes to the brain after stroke, you can find me playing with my twin boys in the park. In my free time I try to do some sports, such as running or basketball.

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Alba Simats, Postdoctoral fellow

Being always fascinated by science, I studied Biochemistry and obtained a Master in Translational Biomedical Research in Barcelona. In 2018, I obtained my PhD in Biomedicine and Molecular Biology under the mentorship of Dr. Joan Montaner at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (Barcelona) working on the field of stroke neuroprotection and biomarkers. There, I continued my work as a postdoctoral researcher until moving to Munich and joining the Liesz lab in October 2019. Besides science, I really enjoy hiking and skiing and when possible, I love traveling around the world visiting new places and cultures.

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Saskia Wernsdorf, Clinical Research Fellow

After finishing my medical studies, I first started working as a physician in neurosurgery for about two and a half years. By time I decided to change into the neurological field and to obtain further research experience. So, I joined the Liesz lab to start as a Clinician scientist. My work concentrates on clinical studies combined with lab methods focusing on the inflammation after stroke and the possibilities to explore new secondary preventions. In my free time, I really enjoy hikes around Bavaria and travelling to new places with different cultural and food experiences around the world.

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Olga Carofiglio, Ph.D. student

I am originally from Italy. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master in Neuroscience in my home country, I decided to challenge myself in a completely new research environment. Hence, my decision to come to Munich where I joined the Liesz Lab in October 2020. My focus is on the mechanisms of chronic neuroinflammation after stroke. In my spare time, I enjoy doing sport and I try to travel whenever I have the chance.

Jie Zhu, PhD student

I have joined the Liesz lab after achieving my master's degree from Shanghai Jiaotong university. In my project I focus on mechanisms of microglia activation after stroke and their role in chronic post-stroke recovery. When I am outside the lab, I am still in the process of adapting to the Bavarian culture and I love to play basketball.

Jiayu Cao, PhD student

I am a neurosurgical student from Shanghai, China. After obtaining my master degree at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, I joined the Liesz lab to start my PhD studies. In my work, I focus mainly on the systemic immune response after stroke and mechanisms of sterile immune activation. In my free time I love to do some sports such as running and badminton.

Kelsey Pinkham, PhD student 

After obtaining a B.Sc. in Biology, I began my research career in the field of Glioblastoma in Boston, MA. During my first international trip to Italy, I fell in love with the idea of pursuing my PhD abroad. In October 2019, I began my studies as a PhD Fast-Track student at the LMU and joined the Liesz lab in April 2020. My focus is on the mechanisms underlying chronic microglia dysfunction after stroke. Outside of research I enjoy riding horses, traveling, cinema and my sweet German shepherd Cara.

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Sijia Zhang, PhD student

I graduated from Capital Medical University in Beijing and achieved my master’s degree in medicine. During master’s study and research, I was fully absorbed by the unknowns and challenges of neurology. Therefore, I joined the Liesz lab in 2020 to further explore these unknows, specifically in the field of brain-immune interaction. In my Ph.D. project I will analyze how systemic immune changes drive secondary comorbidities after stroke. In my spare time, music is my best friend and can always refresh me.

Philip Melton, MD Student

Born in Cologne, but originally American-Canadian, I started studying Medicine at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich in 2015 and joined the Liesz lab in 2018 for my MD thesis. My project focuses mainly on the effect of tryptophan metabolites on the microbiom and gut immune response in the context of stroke. Outside the lab I enjoy literature, classical film and the occasional game of tennis.

Christina Haslinger, MD student

I am originally from Bad Tölz, a small town near Munich. I started studying medicine at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich before joining the Liesz lab for my doctoral thesis. In my thesis I am interested in the role of circulating blood factors in mediating systemic inflammation after stroke, for which I am using experimental models and also recruit patient samples. In my spare time I love being outdoors and spend most of my time on one mountain or another.