PhD students

I joined the nRIM unit in May 2019 as a rotation student. I have a BSc in physics, chemistry and mathematics and a MSc. in theoretical physics and am hence a physicist by background. Here at OIST I am interested in using my background as a physicist to decipher the workings of biological systems. As part of my rotation at the nRIM unit I would like to gain a better understanding of the connection between movement and the cerebellum, and in general gain better insight into dealing with biological data.

In my free time I like exploring the island by bike, playing the piano, and singing.

I joined the unit in January 2023 after my rotation. During that rotation at the nRIM unit, I studied the effects of GCaMP expression in the inferior olive, in terms of mouse motor function (or dysfunction). For this project I designed and conducted a battery of behavioral tests on mice injected with AAV-delivered GCaMP6s. I obtained my BSc in biochemistry and cell biology with a minor in psychology at Jacobs University Bremen, Germany and have come to OIST to focus my research to the field of neuroscience. My interests began back in high school when I first had the opportunity to get a glimpse into the power and potential of research in terms of long-term improvement of human health, as well as expanding the limits of our knowledge of the brain. Throughout my PhD, I aim to reach for that potential, never stop asking questions, and learn new things with every new obstacle that I face, while also having fun on the way.
In my free time I try to focus on my personal fitness and enjoy outdoor activities like snorkeling and hiking, but also love to spend a rainy day at home watching movies.

I have always been fascinated by the study of the human brain and drawn to Japanese culture, which led me to the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) in October 2022 as an intern. Shortly after, I began my PhD program. Prior to that, I earned my BSc and MSc in physics and decided to apply my knowledge to the field of neuroscience. Initially, I was interested in deciphering brain activity into thoughts or images, but after studying Empirical Dynamic Modeling (EDM), I realized that predicting future brain states is more intriguing than analyzing past data. I believe that, with the right parameters, the mind of an animal or human can be represented as a nonlinear dynamic system in a multidimensional space, allowing for predictions of its behavior. In May 2024, I joined the NRIM Unit (as a rotation student), where I focus on studying the connections between various brain processes and how they can be predicted.
Besides my scientific interests, I am passionate about futurism, cyberpunk, modeling, and bar culture, and I also lead Lab0.