Assistant Professor, Pathology & Immunology

Division: Immunobiology

Kipnis lab

Education

B.Sc. (Cand.rer.nat.) Biology – University of Cologne, Germany

M.Sc. (Dipl. Biol.), Genetics – University of Cologne, Germany

Ph.D. (Dr.rer.nat.), Genetics & Immunology, magna cum laude, University of Cologne, Germany

Postdoc, Neurovirology – The National Institutes of Health, NINDS

Research Interests

My interest in how an immune response can be detrimental or beneficial to the brain and spinal cord guides much of my research. It has led me to explore aspects of lethal meningitis, successful immunotherapy of viral persistence, and migration of immune cells through meningeal lymphatic vessels during autoimmune mediated encephalomyelitis. The crosstalk between neurons and immune cells is very complex and contributes to patterns of everyday life. Therefore, investigating how T cells and their derived cytokines, as well as peripheral inflammation affects neuronal function and basic behaviors has become a major focus. Overall, my research crosses the disciplines of immunology, virology, and neuroscience and circles around the idea that neither system is self-regulated and they all function in alliance.


Selected Publications


Assistant

Office Manager IV