Lena Baumecker

Consolidated Researcher Details:

Institute:
Department of Dermatology, University of Kiel
Lena Baumecker

Why this profession?

My interest in life science already started in school, where I graduated with biology and chemistry as my major subjects.  After internships at the hospital and research centers, I realized that what would motivate me the most would be to work in medically oriented research. Therefore, I completed my bachelor in “Molecular Biomedicine” at the University of Bonn, where I focused mainly on immunology or, more specifically, on the cross-link between innate and adaptive immune systems in dendritic cells. After my bachelor’s, I went on to do a Master’s degree in “Medical Life Sciences” at the University of Kiel. Here, I focused on the field of oncology and completed my thesis on the role of long non-coding RNAs in lymphoma. The more I understood the complex regulatory processes in the immune system and in cancer, the more I became curious about these molecular mechanisms in other pathological contexts, like the nervous system.

Why RTG Genes, Environment and Inflammation?

As such, a research training group is an excellent platform for the development of scientifically relevant skills.  Additionally, it provides a great opportunity to meet other doctoral students and scientists and discuss current research topics. The combination of the fields of genes, environment and inflammation provides a broad range of expertise and gives me an excellent opportunity to address environmental factors in the pathology of inflammatory diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.