About Us

I’m Daniel, a fourth-year PhD student in the Conti Lab. Combining structural biology and biochemistry, I am researching how faulty mRNA molecules are recognised and subsequently degraded. Alongside my research, I enjoy writing, storytelling, communication, and photography. Since I spend almost all of my free time in the mountains “relaxing” by running, mountaineering, (ice) climbing, and skitouring, I write about my weekend adventures in a blog.

I’m Tharushi, a second-year PhD student in the Duderstadt Lab, where I study how human DNA is copied and packaged. Alongside life at the bench, I’m interested in how we talk about complex research in ways that actually connect with people. When I’m not worrying about DNA replication, I’m usually painting, performing as part of an English-speaking theatre group in Munich, or trotting around the Alte Pinakothek.

I’m Nele, a second-year PhD student doing protein design in the Milles Lab. I’m particularly interested in designing novel mechano-stable interactions in proteins, to then test their strength in the wet lab. When I’m not busy pulling my designs apart, I love going to concerts and making music with my band, reading a pile of books that never seems to grow smaller, being out and about the city with friends, and journaling to keep myself sane.

I’m Nandika, a second-year PhD student in the Sokolova Lab studying non-canonical bacteriophages, with a focus on phage-encoded lncRNAs. Most days, my work keeps things adventurous and keeps me on my toes. Alongside my life in the lab, I enjoy writing, watching movies, listening to music, and occasionally indulging in a bit of shopping. I also love traveling and unwinding in the kitchen with some cooking and baking, with varying degrees of success.

I’m Jiyeong, a second-year PhD student in the Conti Lab. I come from a molecular cell biology background, and these days I’m working on a project that combines cell and structural biology to get a closer look at mRNA regulatory machinery. Outside the lab, I love traveling, blogging, photographing and spending time on my iPad doing digital illustration (sometimes even turning lab equipment into cute art!).