I’m a cardiologist at heart and a scientist by training—my work lives at the intersection of both.
My Scientific Journey
Ever since my doctoral research at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, I’ve been fascinated by how the immune system shapes cardiovascular disease. That early curiosity—about how immune cells interact with blood vessels and contribute to inflammation—has grown into a career-long mission to understand and target the immune mechanisms driving heart disease.
After earning my medical degree from Albert-Ludwig University in Freiburg, I trained and worked as a cardiologist at the Charité in Berlin, one of Europe’s leading medical centers. My clinical experience has been central to how I approach research: I’ve seen firsthand the complexities of cardiovascular disease in patients, and I bring those questions back to the lab. I plan to return to clinical work again—my identity as a cardiologist and a scientist are deeply connected.
Innovation
Over the years, I’ve contributed to large international collaborations and translational studies, particularly in acute coronary syndromes. Through the OPTICO-ACS consortium, I helped uncover how different plaque morphologies influence inflammatory risk and clinical outcomes. These insights aim to bridge what we see on imaging with what we know about immune processes.
Mount Sinai
In 2023, I joined the McAlpine Lab at Mount Sinai in New York to explore new frontiers in cardio-immunology—especially the emerging connections between the brain, bone marrow, and immune system. My recent research focuses on how neuroimmune circuits and lifestyle factors like sleep and stress influence vascular inflammation and disease progression.
My Goal
Ultimately, my goal is to translate these discoveries into meaningful improvements in patient care. Whether in the clinic or the lab, I’m driven by the same question: how can we better predict, prevent, and treat cardiovascular disease by understanding the immune system?
