{"id":23,"date":"2026-05-14T12:05:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T12:05:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zunkelab.de\/?page_id=23"},"modified":"2026-05-19T05:43:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T05:43:02","slug":"team","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/zunkelab.de\/?page_id=23","title":{"rendered":"Team"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n \"Zunke\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Meet the Team<\/h1>\n

\n Our group brings together scientists, clinicians, students, and technical experts\n working on molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease. Get to know the people\n behind our research.\n <\/p>\n Join us<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n \n

\n

Principal Investigator<\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n \"Prof.\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Prof. Dr. Friederike Zunke<\/h3>\n

Principal Investigator<\/p>\n\n

\n Friederike Zunke is a neuroscientist specializing in molecular mechanisms underlying\n neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson\u2019s disease and related synucleinopathies.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Email:<\/strong>\n friederike.zunke@fau.de<\/a>
\n PubMed:<\/strong>\n \n Publications\n <\/a>
\n ResearchGate:<\/strong>\n \n Profile\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Read more<\/summary>\n\n

\n Friederike obtained her Bachelor\u2019s and Master\u2019s degrees in Biochemistry and Biomedical\n Sciences at the University of Kiel and St George\u2019s University of London, respectively.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n She pursued her doctoral training in biochemistry at the University of Kiel and earned her\n PhD in 2015, focusing on lysosomal dysfunction in neurodegeneration. She then continued her\n research as a postdoctoral fellow at Northwestern University in Chicago, where she investigated\n lysosomal and lipid pathways as well as alpha-synuclein aggregation processes.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n At the end of 2016, she returned to Kiel as an independent group leader at the Institute of\n Biochemistry. There, her group studied the impact of lysosomal proteases on the degradation\n of alpha-synuclein. In 2020, she was appointed Junior Professor for Translational Neuroscience\n at the Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen \/ Friedrich-Alexander\n University Erlangen-N\u00fcrnberg. Since 2025, she has been Full Professor and Deputy Head of the\n Department.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Her research combines biochemical, cellular, and structural analyses to explore protein-protein\n interactions, aggregation, and degradation pathways, with a particular emphasis on lysosomal\n function and homeostasis. Her group is also interested in identifying biomarkers for the early\n detection of Parkinson\u2019s disease and has developed key assays for the purification of extracellular\n vesicles from patient biofluids.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Outside the laboratory, Friederike is passionate about sports and food \u2014 both cooking and eating.\n She enjoys playing tennis with her team, running, and cycling through Franconian Switzerland on\n her cyclocross bike.\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n \n

\n

PostDocs<\/h2>\n\n
\n\n \n
\n
\n \"Dr.\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Dr. Priyadarshini Ravindran<\/h3>\n

Postdoctoral Researcher<\/p>\n\n

\n Priyadarshini Ravindran is a postdoctoral researcher focused on elucidating\n disease pathomechanisms and identifying novel biomarkers for Parkinson\u2019s disease.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Email:<\/strong>\n Priyadarshini.ravindran@uk-erlangen.de<\/a>\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Read more<\/summary>\n

\n Add a longer biography, research background, scientific interests, and personal note here.\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

\n
\n \"Dr.\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Dr. Fanni Boros<\/h3>\n

Postdoctoral Researcher<\/p>\n\n

\n Fanni Boros is a postdoctoral researcher focused on Parkinson\u2019s disease pathomechanisms\n and the identification of novel disease biomarkers.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Email:<\/strong>\n FanniAnnamaria.Boros@uk-erlangen.de<\/a>
\n Interests:<\/strong> Parkinson\u2019s disease pathomechanisms, biomarker discovery,\n long non-coding RNAs, extracellular vesicles\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Read more<\/summary>\n

\n She completed her medical training at the University of Szeged, Hungary, and received\n her MD diploma in 2016. She then entered the Clinical and Experimental Neurosciences\n PhD program at the same university, where she studied possible molecular causes of\n Parkinson\u2019s disease with a particular focus on long non-coding RNAs.\n <\/p>\n

\n After defending her PhD thesis in 2021, she briefly worked as a junior research fellow\n in the Neurogenetics Laboratory of the Department of Neurology at the Albert Szent-Gy\u00f6rgyi\n Medical School of the University of Szeged. In 2022, she moved to Germany to pursue a\n postdoctoral position in the Zunke Lab.\n <\/p>\n

\n Her research approaches Parkinson\u2019s disease from two perspectives: gaining a better\n understanding of disease pathomechanisms and identifying biomarkers that could enable\n early and accurate diagnosis.\n <\/p>\n

\n In her free time, Fanni enjoys spending time in nature, whether running, cycling, or\n going for long walks. She also likes travelling and visiting new places, especially with\n friends and family.\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n \n

\n

PhD Students<\/h2>\n\n
\n\n \n
\n
\n \"Johannes\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Johannes Neumann<\/h3>\n

PhD Student<\/p>\n\n

\n Johannes Neumann is a PhD student in the Zunke Lab.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Read more<\/summary>\n

\n Add a short description of Johannes\u2019 research project, methods, and scientific interests here.\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

\n
\n \"Isis\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Isis Trzan<\/h3>\n

PhD Student<\/p>\n\n

\n Isis Trzan is a PhD student investigating gut-brain communication and intestinal\n alpha-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson\u2019s disease.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Email:<\/strong>\n isis.ferrazliboriotrzan@uk-erlangen.de<\/a>\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Read more<\/summary>\n

\n Isis is a Brazilian biomedical scientist with a background in clinical analysis,\n molecular biology, and immunology.\n <\/p>\n

\n In 2023, she moved to Germany to pursue a PhD in the Department of Molecular\n Neurology at University Hospital Erlangen \/ FAU.\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

\n
\n \"Anish\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Anish Varghese<\/h3>\n

PhD Student<\/p>\n\n

\n Anish Varghese studies lysosomal dysfunction and alpha-synuclein aggregation\n in oligodendrocyte development and myelination.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Email:<\/strong>\n anish.varghese@uk-erlangen.de<\/a>\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Read more<\/summary>\n

\n Anish completed his Integrated Bachelor\u2019s and Master\u2019s degree in Biology at the\n Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, IISER Thiruvananthapuram, India.\n <\/p>\n

\n His current work focuses on lysosomal dysfunction and alpha-synuclein aggregation\n in oligodendrocyte development and myelination.\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n \n

\n

MD Students<\/h2>\n\n
\n\n \n
\n
\n \"Hasan\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Hasan Aslan<\/h3>\n

MD Student<\/p>\n\n

\n Hasan Aslan is an MD student studying Parkinson\u2019s disease in hiPSC-based systems,\n with a particular interest in the role of astrocytes.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Read more<\/summary>\n

\n Add a longer description of Hasan\u2019s MD project, research background, methods, and\n scientific interests here.\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

\n
\n \"Lisa\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Lisa Steger<\/h3>\n

MD Student<\/p>\n\n

\n Lisa Steger works here as Coordinator of the Astrofinder Project and is an MD student and M.Sc. Molecular Medicine researcher focusing on reactive astrocytes,\n neuroinflammation, and spatial transcriptomics.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Email:<\/strong>\n lisa.steger@fau.de<\/a>\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Read more<\/summary>\n

\n Lisa obtained her Bachelor\u2019s degree in Molecular Medicine from Friedrich-Alexander University\n Erlangen-N\u00fcrnberg in 2022. She is currently pursuing both her MD and MSc in Molecular Medicine.\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

\n
\n \"Magdalena\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Magdalena Bolsinger<\/h3>\n

MD Student<\/p>\n\n

\n Magdalena Bolsinger is an MD student with a background in Molecular Medicine. Her work\n focuses on lysosomal pathways, astrocytes, and alpha-synuclein pathology.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Read more<\/summary>\n

\n Magdalena earned both her BSc and MSc in Molecular Medicine while pursuing her medical\n studies in parallel at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-N\u00fcrnberg.\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

\n
\n \"Katharina\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Katharina Bezold<\/h3>\n

MD Student<\/p>\n\n

\n Katharina Bezold is an MD student in the Zunke Lab.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Read more<\/summary>\n

\n Add a short description of Katharina\u2019s MD project, research focus, academic background,\n and interests here.\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

\n
\n \"Lena\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Lena Schneiderbanger<\/h3>\n

MD Student<\/p>\n

(shared MD student with Prof. Wei Xiang)<\/p>\n\n

\n Lena Schneiderbanger is an MD student in the Zunke Lab.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Read more<\/summary>\n

\n Add a short description of Lena\u2019s MD project, research focus, academic background,\n and interests here.\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n \n

\n

Technical Assistance<\/h2>\n\n
\n\n \n
\n
\n \"Dejana\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Dejana Taneva Hristov<\/h3>\n

Technical Assistant \/ Study Nurse<\/p>\n\n

\n Dejana Taneva Hristov supports clinical and translational research projects\n in the Department of Molecular Neurology at University Hospital Erlangen.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Email:<\/strong>\n Dejana.TanevaHristov@uk-erlangen.de<\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

\n
\n \"Julia\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Julia Vandrey<\/h3>\n

Technical Assistant, maternal leave<\/p>\n\n

\n Julia Vandrey is a technical assistant in the Zunke Lab and is currently on maternal leave.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n \n

\n

Students & Research Assistants<\/h2>\n\n
\n\n \n
\n
\n \"Robin\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Robin Voelckl<\/h3>\n

Bachelor Student in Molecular Medicine<\/p>\n\n

\n Robin Voelckl is a Bachelor student working on alpha-synuclein-induced\n neurodegeneration and lysosomal function using LIMP-2-derived peptides.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

\n
\n \"Mevl\u00fct\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Mevl\u00fct Yaglu<\/h3>\n

Medical Student \/ Research Assistant<\/p>\n\n

\n Mevl\u00fct Yaglu is a medical student and research assistant with a background in psychology,\n cognitive neuroscience, neuroimaging, and clinical research.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

\n
\n \"Bahare\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Bahare Yazdani<\/h3>\n

Student \/ Research Assistant<\/p>\n\n

\n Bahare Yazdani is a student \/ research assistant in the Zunke Lab.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

\n
\n \"Malena\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Malena Dahm<\/h3>\n

Student \/ Research Assistant<\/p>\n\n

\n Malena Dahm is a student \/ research assistant in the Zunke Lab.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

\n
\n \"Saskia\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Saskia Vollhardt<\/h3>\n

Student \/ Research Assistant<\/p>\n\n

\n Saskia Vollhardt is a student \/ research assistant in the Zunke Lab.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

\n
\n \"Rabea\n <\/div>\n\n
\n

Rabea G\u00e4rtner<\/h3>\n

Student \/ Research Assistant<\/p>\n\n

\n Rabea G\u00e4rtner is a student \/ research assistant in the Zunke Lab.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n \n

\n

Alumni<\/h2>\n\n
    \n
  • Geoffrey M. Goellner, Ph.D.<\/strong> \u2014 Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Minnesota State University, Mankato, USA; visiting professor<\/li>\n
  • Alexander Wei\u00df, MD<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Jan Philipp Dobert, PhD<\/strong> \u2014 now Postdoc in BIOS group at Twente University<\/li>\n
  • Jasmin Arjomandi, M.Sc.<\/strong> \u2014 now PhD student in Medical Engineering<\/li>\n
  • Raul Moritz, M.Sc.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Nicole Montag, B.Sc.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Rebecca M\u00e4chtel, PhD<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Ida Pirkl, B.Sc.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Sarah B\u00e4ssler, B.Sc.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Alice Drobny, PhD<\/strong> \u2014 now Evotec, Hamburg<\/li>\n
  • Niyeti Qazi, M.Sc.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Susy Prieto Huarcaya, PhD<\/strong> \u2014 now Medical Writer at Kill Parkinson<\/li>\n
  • Simon Bub, M.Sc.<\/strong> \u2014 now Euroimmun, L\u00fcbeck<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n\n<\/section>\n\n