Members of the Kaessmann Lab

I consider myself extremely fortunate to be able to explore the molecular and cellular origins and evolution of vertebrate organs together with all the wonderful and extremely talented members of our international team. Indeed, in our lab, we attach great importance to a highly collaborative and positive team spirit and value the diverse cultural backgrounds of our lab members, which contribute to a particularly enriching atmosphere. We have various “mini-teams” of dry and wet lab researchers within the lab, who enthusiastically drive projects forward in remarkable ways.

Outside the lab, I love being with my family and pursuing my hobbies, which include sports (especially running and biking) and music (listening to and producing).

My professional journey has consistently led me to explore the miracles of developmental biology. Currently, I am focused on the study of human and primate pluripotent stem cells, "in the light of evolution". My background primarily lies in the "wet lab", but after completing my Ph.D. in the transposon field, I am striving to partially transition towards a more systematic computational approach.

I believe in both: evolution and life after lab. So, I enjoy doing sports, headbanging at concerts, spending time with my friends, and hoping to learn how to surf one day.

I enjoy using molecular biology techniques and statistical modeling to answer questions in evolution, ecology and conservation. I have worked on projects with viruses, amphibians, reptiles, arachnids, mammals, birds, and fish. My current project in the Kaessmann lab focuses on the comparative evolution of brain cell types across distantly related vertebrate species.

I’m a long distance hiker and an avid backpacker. I like traveling and discovering new music and plunging into the coldest water I can find.

My research is focused on the development and evolution of the mammalian cerebellum. I am interested in identifying genes that underlie core ancestral gene expression programs of cell fate specification in the cerebellum as well as genes that contribute to phenotypic innovations of this brain structure during evolution.

I enjoy traveling, dancing, and spending rainy weekends curled up with a good book. To maintain balance in my life, I also find joy in mending my children’s clothes and getting my hands dirty in the garden.

I'm investigating the evolution and development of gonads, combining transcriptomics and epigenomics to better understand the cell types that make up these central reproductive organs. Additionally, I maintain the computing server infrastructure of the lab.

My hobbies include programming, making music and passing the pigs 🐖🐖.

I discovered my strong interest in evolutionary biology during my PhD, when I identified and functionally characterized deeply conserved cis- and trans-regulators in vertebrate heart development. Now I continue my pursuit in evolution by looking into quite the opposite side, the divergence and innovation during species radiation. Specifically, I am exploring this question within the mammalian liver, one of the most rapidly evolving organs which plays central roles in the adaptation of animals to the environment.

Outside the lab, I am enthusiastic about many outdoor activities, especially climbing. I also enjoy exploring the diversity of the world through books, movies, and traveling.

I am passionate about the development and evolution of the brain in all vertebrates, though especially in birds (they are the closest extant lineage to the T-rex after all 🦖). To investigate the brains of different species, I do experiments in the wet lab as well as bioinformatic analyses.

In my free time, I really enjoy a good coffee and cake, hiking in the alps and dancing.

I have a keen interest in questions from the evo-devo realm, especially in research related to key events in animal evolution. Currently, I am working on answering fundamental questions about the emergence of new genes in the vertebrate lineage and how they have shaped their distinctive characteristics. Specifically, I am searching for clues during animal development.

I find inspiration in science fiction stories like Star Trek, especially when they are accompanied by a glass of whiskey.

During my studies I became deeply fascinated with the field of Evo-devo, in particular the evolution of nervous systems and transcriptional regulatory networks (TRNs). The beauty of these complex and coordinated systems that arise during development and their reshaping during evolution has sparked my curiosity since and brought me to this wonderful team! Currently, I explore the diversity of cell repertoires that have emerged and expanded across vertebrates. Ultimately, I aim to understand how central nervous systems have evolved and learn more about their underlying TRNs.

I enjoy immersing myself in nature’s wonders and learning about new cultures by travelling whenever I can. For a more relaxed time, I am always up to hang out with friends or simply read with a nice cup of tea/coffee and some background jazz. This world is just too gorgeous!

I’m investigating the molecular evolution of the mammalian liver, one of the fastest evolving organs! My aim is to understand how this organ has adapted to different types of diets.

My hobbies are playing the guitar and playing tennis.

I am interested in the origin and evolution of the vertebrate brain, in particular on a cellular and molecular level. To this end, I am using single-nucleus transcriptomics data to add to a cross-vertebrate comparative effort.

When I'm not coding or sifting through the vast literature on comparative neuroanatomy, I like to read books, listen to music and play board games. I also really enjoy cooking.

The mammalian testis is a rapidly evolving organ. It is not only the place where spermatogenesis takes place, but can also be considered the birth place of new genes. Among others, these characteristics of the testis have captured my interest in the past years. To investigate this organ, I helped establish protocols in the wet-lab. Over the time I have learned one thing: There is always another interesting testis project waiting around the corner!

In my free time, I enjoy going up to Königstuhl and cursing at the Pfälzerwald, which on clear days is visible on the horizon. Other times I enjoy boardgames and cycling.

My main interest lies in analyzing high-dimensional biological data to shed light on human evolution. With the power of recent advances in sequencing technologies, we are now able to discover so many new things by investigating all gene expression layers. During my PhD, I’ll investigate the molecular basis of human brain evolution - especially the evolution of the neocortex - and how de novo genes may have contributed to the higher cognitive functions in humans.

When I’m not programming, you can often find me sitting in the sun with a glass of wine 🍷 and chatting with my friends about everyday things, or biking 🚲 to discover fabulous new places around Heidelberg.

I am interested in deciphering and predicting the evolution of mammals using statistical modeling, machine learning, and simulations applied to large-scale data. Currently, I am investigating how changes in cis-regulatory elements (CREs) influence the evolution of gene expression in the mammalian cerebellum across development.

When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy reading books, running, bouldering, and watching F1 grand prix 🏎️. I’m also passionate about traveling, and my goal during my PhD is to visit every European country.

I am interested in evolutionary biology, particularly in the evolution of the nervous system, with a focus on the vertebrate brain. My master’s thesis centers on the multiome data of cerebellum and cerebellum-like structures of the catshark. Through this research, we aim to investigate the evolutionary origins of these structures and reconstruct the cell type composition of the cerebellum in the last common ancestor of jawed vertebrates.

Outside the lab, I enjoy promoting science by leading summer science camps for kids each year. When I’m not “knitting” my R scripts, I love knitting colorful scarves, hats, and jumpers.

I am interested in genetics, epigenetics, evolutionary mechanisms, and their effect on phenotypic innovation in the brain, such as cognitive functions and the appearance of psychiatric disorders. In the Kaessmann lab, I am applying novel comparative methods to study the evolution of brain cell-type families across distantly related vertebrate species.

Outside the lab, I am distracted by books, movies, running, music, my harmonica, and friends.

I’m one of the technicans or lets say one pair of the Hands 🙌 🧪. Since I don’t have a project of my own, I’m lucky enough to be involved in all wet-lab projects in the laboratory. Together with Julia we do our best to keep everything organized and spread a good mood in the lab.

Besides the lab I like to travel and try new things, like different sports or handcrafts.

Since some of my strongest skills are organization, communication and in general creative problem solving I try to manage most needs of our group’s wet lab part. I enjoy helping to set up new techniques and to be in contact with vendors of many different companies. On top, I really appreciate being technically involved in most of our group’s projects to afterwards fall asleep happily and get motivated for the next day.

To keep the balance in my life I love doing sports and being creative (doing handcrafts and drawing) as well as learning new things like languages and playing instruments.

I bang heads with academic bureaucracy every day anew. Apart from keeping the Kaessmann lab members in line with their forms, trips, and other needs, I have resolved to braving grumpy teenagers and blue slopes and find comfort in books and far-away places. As for the near places, you can spot me on different soccer fields on the weekends.