I am currently a Research Associate in the Biological Physics and Mechanics Group at the Cambridge Maths Faculty. After obtaining a PhD in Biology at the University of Bielefeld (Germany) I took a step out of my field to study the physical parameters that influence biological processes like tissue development. I am combining experiments and mathematical modelling to explore how tissues like our retina obtain their correct three-dimensional shape. Understanding these processes from an engineering point of view will in the long run hopefully help to find remedies for associated birth defects. I came into STEMM via some detours. Before studying biology I worked as a legal clerk at justice courts. At the age of 25 I decided to leave the security of my permanent job, go back to school to achieve my A-Levels (Abitur) to enable me to study molecular cell biology. In all different environments outside and within academia I encountered gender-stereotypes and other challenges for women and other marginalised groups. I believe that everyone can contribute in their own way to challenge these obstacles and create a positive work and personal environment for us all. I am an active member of the Maths Equality and Diversity Committee and the local LGBT+ group. In my free time I am a dancer and a twitcher.

I work for the non-profit organization ASAPbio, where we promote a productive use of preprints in the life sciences. I very much enjoy working with members of the community to try and change life sciences communication for the better, by making it faster, more transparent and more inclusive. Before ASAPbio I worked as an editor, most recently at the open access publisher PLOS, where I oversaw the day-to-day editorial operations of the journal PLOS ONE and I was involved in the editorial and review process for research manuscripts. I am also involved with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), an organization which promotes best practice and education around publication ethics and develops resources for journal editors and publishers.

I was a former Bioinformatician at the EMBL-EBI, an inter-governmental European Research Organisation. I was also a Trusted Advisor at the EMBL’s Ombud’s office, helping staff to help themselves during crisis and conflict. While at EMBL, I Co-founded Sukhaatma, an initiative to provide personalised Alternative Mind-Body Medicine Consultations. Currently, I am full-time on my effort where I regularly offer Emotional Intelligence, Personal effectiveness and Leadership training for Scientific, Academic and Health organisations and transformational coaching services for individuals.

I am currently a PhD student at the University of Cambridge in Clinical Neurosciences. My research looks at different types of brain imaging to better understand the consequences of traumatic brain injury- from concussion to coma. My background has been in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Medical Imaging, and I am now moving towards data science and machine learning approaches to healthcare and precision medicine.