Corinne Benakis – Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis

Corinne Benakis, Principal Investigator

I received my master’s in Biochemistry from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. I then moved to Australia for a master’s program at Queensland University, where I first became interested in the molecular basis of neuronal communication. In 2011, I earned my PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Lausanne under the supervision of Dr. Lorenz Hirt, Professor of Neurology. I specifically studied the role of a neuroprotective compound – a JNK inhibitor – on microglia activation and peripheral inflammation after stroke. I then joined the laboratory of Prof. Costantino Iadecola at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York as a postdoctoral fellow –funded by the Swiss National Research Foundation – where my work highlighted for the first time the role of gut microbiota and intestinal immune cells in stroke. In July 2016, I joined the laboratory of Dr. Arthur Liesz at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) in Munich, with a Marie-Curie Sklodowska-Curie European fellowship to develop my own research topic on the specific role of gut metabolites, specifically tryptophan metabolites, in immune cell polarization in the context of brain injury. In April 2020, I founded my own research group at the ISD – with a DFG grant – investigating the critical role of the gut microbiome in stroke. I have a passion for communicating science using powerful visuals, and in my free time I like nothing better than to travel the world in search of new culinary experiences.

Rosa Delgado, PhD Candidate

After finishing my Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy in Madrid, I discovered the fascinating world of neuroscience while doing an internship in the laboratory of Dr. Emery Brown in Boston. For my master’s thesis, I investigated the communication between vasculature and neurogenesis under the supervision of Dr. Carmen Ruiz de Almodóvar. I am currently a PhD candidate in the lab of Dr. Benakis, where I am studying the role of gut microbiota-derived metabolites on chronic inflammation after stroke. If you don’t see me in the lab, I’m probably outside in the fresh air, doing sports, or traveling around Europe! 

Adam Sorbie, Research associate

I received my Master’s degree in Infection Biology from the University of Glasgow in 2016. During this time, I developed a keen interest in microbiota research which led me to pursue a PhD in the laboratory of Professor Dirk Haller, studying the role of the microbiota and metabolome in colorectal cancer. Despite my background as a wet-lab biologist, I developed a passion for computational biology while working on my PhD. My current research interests reflect this and are centred around the interactions of microbiota and host metabolites and their influence on disease. I am also interested how we can integrate different data types and spatiotemporal sampling designs to better understand these interactions. In 2021, I joined the Benakis lab where I will utilise bioinformatic and machine learning tools to investigate and characterise microbes and metabolites modulating stroke outcome. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, travelling and playing guitar.

Monica Weiler, Lab Technician

I was born in Romania, where I studied biology and worked as a teacher for several years. Once I came to Germany, I became interested in lab work, so I trained as a lab technician and received my PhD in Immunology from LMU Munich. I support the lab members during various daily experiments and by taking care of orders and other organizational issues. Outside the lab, I love to cook with friends, read a good book, take a walk outside or travel and discover new and interesting places.

Minnah Irfan / Master Student

Originally from Kashmir, I completed my Bachelor’s in Biotechnology in New Delhi, India. During this period, I became interested in translational research and specifically neuroinflammation. As a result, I am currently pursuing an M.Sc. in Human Biology at LMU. I applied to the Benakis group for my Master thesis because of my interest in the fascinating realm of the gut microbiome and its implications on the brain. For my thesis I am looking into how gut metaboites regulate the inflammatory response properties of microglia post stroke. In my free time I like to go running, hiking, or climbing.

Alexandria Ruggles / Master Student

After completing my Bachelor’s in Exercise Science, I was selected to join, Teach for America, where I earned a Master’s in Education and taught science for 4 years. I developed a passion for breaking down complex concepts in a way that is easy for people of all ages to understand. Although I had a passion for teaching, I was eager to dive into research. I was accepted to complete a second Master’s to study Nutrition and Biomedicine at the Technical University of Munich. After taking a course about the microbiome, I knew that this was a field I wanted to explore on a deeper level. I joined the Benakis team in April 2022 and I am now investigating the lung niche after stroke. In my free time, I am often hiking or skiing in the mountains or jumping into the Isar!