Benakis Lab – Microbiome–gut–brain interactions

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! 

Isha Yogesh

I come from India, where I spent most of my childhood. I did my Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and cell biology at Jacobs University Bremen, where my thesis focused on the microbiology of cocoa fermentation and proteomics. In 2018, I began my master’s in Human Biology at LMU, Munich. My internships during this degree were in the field of immunology in AG Brocker at the Biomedical Center and stroke immunology in AG Liesz at the ISD, which are extremely fascinating to me. As an MSc. Student in AG Benakis, my work focuses on the role of the tryptophan pathway in regulating immune cells after stroke. When not in lab, I enjoy learning languages, writing, and the occasional sport. 

Alexander Beer – Intern

Originally from the Ruhrgebiet in West Germany, I obtained my bachelor’s degree 2019 in Molecular Biology at the Westphalian University of Recklinghausen. For my bachelor thesis, I joined the group of Professor Matthias Gunzer at the Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging (University Hospital Essen). There, my work focused on the impact of neutrophil dynamics in gut-associated lymphoid tissue after ischemic stroke. For my master studies in Medical Biology, I joined the University of Duisburg-Essen. Additionally, I worked in the Gunzer group as a research assistant to further deepen my knowledge in the field of stroke-immunology. Here at the ISD, I am conducting a research internship in the group of Dr. Benakis. During my project, I will investigate the role of gut metabolites on immune cell polarization after stroke. Outside the lab I enjoy going to the mountains for hiking or snowboarding as well as reading a good book or following my favorite soccer team on TV.

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.