Two ISAS Postdocs Accepted for Leibniz Mentoring

Dortmund, 25th August 2022

Continuing to work in science after the doctorate, either at a university or non-university research institution – with their participation in the Leibniz Mentoring programme, Dr Fiorella Solari and Dr Elen Tolstik intend to make sure that their wish will become reality in the near future.

The two scientists from the research groups Proteomics (Solari) and Cardiovascular Pharmacology (Tolstik) applied for the 16-months programme in 2021. The Leibniz Association’s selection criteria are excellent research achievements and the recognisably pursued goal of achieving a leading position in science and research. Since their acceptance, the two ISAS postdocs have been working on their path to a professorship or leadership position with the help of experienced mentors. They also participate in seminars to expand their leadership skills and to best develop their careers overall. Their participation in the mentoring programme also includes the development of discipline-specific networks.

I’m even more grateful that I can additionally advance my professional goals with the help of outside experts.

Dr. Fiorella Solari

“No matter how strong the support is within your own institute, it is always helpful to have an outside perspective. That’s why I’m even more grateful that I can additionally advance my professional goals with the help of outside experts like Prof Dr Felix Meißner from the University of Bonn,” says Solari. The 35-year-old biologist has been at ISAS since 2013 and conducts research in proteomics with particular focus on platelets biology. The mentoring programme is also an invaluable asset for Tolstik.

I’m doing everything I can to qualify myself so I’ll have a real chance to take the next career step in science as soon as possible.

Dr. Elen Tolstik

The physicist, 37, has been researching biomarkers at ISAS since 2018, to detect cardiovascular diseases earlier and treat them better in the future. Her experience with the mentoring programme so far: “A career in the private sector was never an option for me. I’m doing everything I can to qualify myself so I’ll have a real chance to take the next career step in science as soon as possible. The support I receive from my mentor, Prof Dr Raluca Niesner from Freie Universität Berlin, helps me a lot.”

(Sara Rebein)

Further articles

Four Perspectives on a Shared Discovery

Although CD177⁺ and CD177⁻ neutrophils look identical under the microscope, they are in fact not the same. Four of the authors of “CD177 Deficiency Defines a Stable Subtype of Human Neutrophil Granulocytes with Tumour-Promoting Activity” (Advanced Science) explain how they identified the functional differences between these immune cells and which combined analytical methods made their discovery possible in the first place. This insight into their research demonstrates how interdisciplinary collaboration can reveal previously undiscovered information.

Das Foto zeigt im oberen Teil Porträts von vier Wissenschaftlern. Von links nach rechts: Prof. Dr. Matthias Gunzer, Prof. Dr. Jianxu Chen, Dr. Belal Alshaar, Prof. Dr. Albert Sickmann. Im Teil unter den Porträts sind Mikroskopaufnahmen von CD177-definierten Neutrophilen zu sehen.

3 Questions for Neele Rottmann

In the lab, Neele Rottmann prepares human and animal samples for mass spectrometry analysis. As part of the HI-FIVE project, she is helping to identify changes at the protein level in heart failure. Why does she spend so much time in the lab working on separations? The technical assistant shares the answer in this interview.

Neele Rottmann is wearing a white lab coat and purple gloves and is operating a mass spectrometry analyser in a laboratory. Next to her is a liquid chromatography system connected to a mass spectrometer via several tubes. There are numerous sample vials on the instrument. As she places a sample into the system, she looks into the camera.

High-tech against Cardiovascular Diseases: 3D Images of Blood Vessels

How do atherosclerotic plaques form in the coronary arteries? At ISAS, researchers are investigating cellular changes in human coronary arteries using techniques such as 3D imaging. During her internship, early-career researcher Leonie Menzel used a light sheet fluorescence microscope to analyse the spatial distribution of individual cells within the tissue. She thereby gained valuable methodological experience for her Master’s thesis.

3 Questions for Lukas Fu

How can AI support the analysis of biomedical images? This was the question Lukas Fu explored during his school internship at ISAS. The 15-year-old also successfully completed his first programming project.

Lukas Fu, a 15-year-old with short black hair. He is wearing glasses and is sitting on a low wall.

Separating Fluorescence Signals Faster and More Precisely with AI

When different fluorescence signals overlap during microscopy, their clear assignment to specific biological structures becomes difficult. To address this common problem, Dr Davide Panzeri is developing AI-based signal separation methods. The biophysicist has been awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship by the European Union for his promising research project.

Passionate Research, Shaping the Future

How do GRK5 inhibitors work at the cellular level and within the living organism? Biologist Dr Susanne Grund is working with her colleagues at HI-FIVE on a new therapeutic approach for heart failure. In this portrait, she describes what her day-to-day work looks like, balancing research on human stem cells with studies on mice.

ISAS BFF Uploader

What are you doing at ISAS, Theresa?

Why do mice undergo ultrasound examinations of their hearts? What does a typical working day in the lab involve for a technical assistant in the HI-FIVE research project ? And what challenges does the job present? Theresa Pietz provides fascinating insights into her duties, motivations and experiences working with animals.

Study with Heart: A Doctor Bridging Clinic & Laboratory

What is actually happening behind the scenes of a patient trial? Anna Ruzhyna is a clinical research associate who looks after participants with heart failure as part of the HI-FIVE project. She explains how her work helps to develop new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of heart failure.