I obtained my PhD in Molecular Biology at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg and postdoc training in immuno-oncology at the University of Southern California. I was then an Assistant professor at the University of California Los Angeles and afterwards associate professor at the Hannover Medical School. In Cologne, our lab is applying immunotherapies to eradicate cancer and chronic infections. Our tools are novel gene modification technologies and mouse models that reflect human diseases. I want to enable the people in my lab to think and work jointly on exciting ways of scientific progress to our field. I also have several scientific activities inside and outside our university. On the personal side, I have two adult children and love to travel and learn about different cultures. (for full CV click on my name above ).

I am the Scientific Manager/Postdoc at the Institute of Translational Immune-Oncology. As a trained Biomedical Engineer, I have a background on chemistry, biology, and engineering. During my PhD at the Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging in University Hospital Aachen, I synthesized and characterized riboflavin targeted drug delivery systems against cancer in vitro and in vivo. Besides my management activities, I co-lead the development of humanized mice for immuno-oncology. During my free time, I like to practice Latin American dances.

I am a Biological Technical Assistant (BTA) with a passion for laboratory work - a calling I discovered at an early age. My educational journey led me to specialize in molecular biology and genetic engineering during my scholastic training, and I found both fields particularly intri-guing and captivating. I joined the AG Stripecke team in March 2024, bringing my enthusiasm and skills to the group. In the lab my role is to play a vital part in supporting the team with various experiments, serv-ing as a crucial hub for collaboration, and coordination. Outside of the lab, I take pleasure in hiking and collecting mushrooms. This activity allows me to appreciate the serenity of the forest while immersing myself in the joy of mushroom hunt-ing. Additionally, I am an avid practitioner of Bullet Journaling, finding creative expression and organization in this unique form of journaling.

I am a PhD candidate at the Institute of Translational Immune-Oncology. I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Johannes Gutenberg-University in Mainz and my thesis was about the regulation of dendritic cells by regulatory T cells and tolerance-induction for prevention of autoimmune diseases. Later, I obtained a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Science at Philipps-University in Marburg, evaluating the effects of CRISPR-Cas9 mediated knock-outs of an oncogene. I am currently working on gene-edited CAR-T cells against Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD).

I joined the Institute of Translational Immune Oncology as a PhD candidate to work on gene-edited CAR-T cells for the treatment of lymphoma and control of HIV and EBV reactivations from the reservoir. Previously, I’ve obtained my Bachelor‘s degree in Biology. For my bachelors thesis, I've established and validated a mass-spectrometry-based method for the quantification of diabetes-associated metabolites at the German Diabetes Center. I have obtained my Master‘s degree in Molecular Biomedicine at Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, where my work was mostly focused on the adipose tissue metabolism. Outside the lab, I enjoy traveling and discovering new restaurants, always looking for new flavors and experiences.

I recently joined the Stripecke lab as a PhD candidate. I completed my bachelor studies in Applied Biology at the University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg in 2019, working on membrane receptor interactions. I continued my studies abroad at Stockholm University with a master's degree in Molecular Life Sciences. My master's thesis investigated the effects of the VHL protein on gene regulation. During this time, I was also part of an industry project at Karolinska Institute, which developed new small-molecule inhibitors aimed to treat aggressive tumours. I am now working on CAR-T cell products directed at viral targets like EBV and HIV to improve the standard of care for patients with advanced disease progressions. In my free time, I like to go bouldering and to play badminton.

I was born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark, and completed my Bachelor's Degree in Boston, MA, USA, and my Master's Degree in International Management & Marketing at Copenhagen Business School. I joined the university clinic in February of 2022. I support the laboratory and the teams of researchers with all aspects of personnel management, organizational tasks as well as different management projects such as event management including this website. Additional to my work, I invest my time in artwork - feel free to visit: www.diegutensachen.de

I was born and raised in Cologne. After finishing school, I studied Biotechnology. During the pandemic in 2020, I quit my studies and started training as a biological-technical assistant. I have always been interested in science, particularly biology and chemistry. In my training, I loved organizing experiments. Further, I am an avid team player. In November 2023, I joined the Institute of Translational Immune-Oncology as an Administrative Research Assistant - an interface position between the researchers and the administrative side of the lab. Besides my work, I enjoy drawing, reading, and hiking.

Master Student from the University of Cologne. Thesis proposal: "Generation of new CAR-T cells & functionallity".