LieszLab – Stroke-Immunology

Arthur Liesz, Principal investigator

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Corinne Benakis, Postdoctoral fellow

I obtained a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, and my PhD in Neuroscience in the lab of Prof Lorenz Hirt at the University of Lausanne where I studied the anti-inflammatory properties of a neuroprotective compound in cerebral ischemia. After that I joined the laboratory of Prof Costantino Iadecola at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York as a postdoctoral fellow with a fellowship from the Swiss National Research Foundation, where I studied the interaction of the gut microbiota with the intestinal immune cells in stroke. I came to Munich to join the Liesz lab in 2016 with a Marie Curie fellowship grant by the EU to investigate the specific role of gut metabolites on immune cell polarization in the context of brain injury.
When not performing experimental stroke surgery or “FACSing”, my passion is to design scientific illustrations and communicate science.

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Mary Lopez, Postdoctoral fellow

I first began research as an undergraduate under Dr. Mariana Gerschenson at the University of Hawaii, then continued with her as a technician before beginning work at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. There, I obtained my PhD from the Cellular and Molecular Pathology program under the mentorship of Dr. Raghu Vemuganti, where I focused my efforts on pharmacological means of mimicking neuroprotective preconditioning in the context of ischemic stroke. I started working in Munich thanks to a DAAD fellowship, and I am currently investigating T cell-microglia cross-talk in the Liesz lab. When not in lab, I spend my time tutoring students (high school to graduate level) in biology and science writing. For fun I like to cook, sing, and learn to communicate in new languages.

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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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Daniel Varga, Postdoctoral fellow

I am a Hungarian scientist and obtained my PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Szeged, Hungary. I started my research activity as an undergraduate student in 2009 by studying neuroprotective strategies for acute ischemic stroke. Then I studied neurophysiology and cerebral hemodynamics during cortical spreading depolarization under the supervision of Dr Eszter Farkas. I came to Munich to join the Liesz lab to investigate interactions between post-stroke inflammatory responses and neurovascular dysfunction. My work heavily focuses on mesoscale imaging. When I am not in the imaging room you will find me outdoors. If it is summer then I go hiking if its winter then skiing or snowboarding. For endurance running weather cannot be an excuse. I am passionate about travelling and exploring new places. Also, I enjoy mixing music.

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Rebecca Sadler, Postdoctoral fellow

Originally from England, I studied in Manchester, Stockholm and now in Munich! I am very much fascinated and intrigued into how our diet can shape our microbiota and by various mechanisms affect brain disease. When I’m not running around investigating mouse poop – I love to be in the mountains, traveling to new places, learning about new cultures and generally keeping busy. If it is a science communication event, concert or running race you will catch me there.

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Alessio Ricci, PhD student

I am originally from Tuscany and I obtained my Bachelor and Master in Neuroscience in Pisa. I started working on stroke since my Master Thesis, focusing on electrophysiological predictors for stroke recovery. During my studies I fell in love with the nervous system and its extraordinary complexity. I started my PhD in the Liesz lab in October 2019, where I have the opportunity to study another amazing topic: the immune system! In particular, I study the role of T cells in recovery after stroke. In my free time, I am a passionate cook and baker and enjoy any kind of outdoor activities.

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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.

Steffanie Heindl, PhD student

I am from Passau, a small town near Munich. The question how to help people recover brought me to LMU in Munich, where I studied Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biology, focussing on Neuroimmunology and Neurobiology. I am currently doing my PhD in the Liesz lab trying to answer the question how microglia influence regeneration after stroke. When I’m not in the lab, music and art is what I spend my time on (playing guitar and ukulele).

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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.

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.

Kerstin Thuß-Silczak, Lab technician

I was born in Dresden which was previously Eastern Germany. As the lab technician I take care of organizational issues, orders and routine tasks of the Lab. I enjoy manual techniques and am particularly fond of histology. In my private time you find me mostly in the mountains with my family, doing long hikes and photographing.

Yasemin Aydin, Team assistant

After having spend several years in different countries and cities, working in the free market economy, I have come to the conclusion, that there must be more then marketing and projects. The idea of being a part of something that might make an impact for stroke patients, was the driving force in deciding to join the Liesz lab as their project assistant. It’s a satisfaction to be part of this team, support the research projects and learn more about their topics.

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