Prof. Dr. Jürgen Bernhagen, Principal Investigator

Read more about the PI on the next tab.

Sabrina Lukanovic, LL.M, Team Assistant

After finishing my Bachelor studies in law, I was awarded a scholarship for Master studies in International Business Law at the Central European University (Hungary). Currently, I am the team assistant to Prof. Bernhagen, Prof. Wahl and Dr. Georgakis. When I am out of the office, I love to spend time with my daughter and son. 

Dr. Omar El Bounkari, Senior staff scientist & Technical laboratory head

Following my Biochemistry studies at the University of Hannover, I pursued my PhD degree at the Institute of Biochemistry at the Medical School of Hannover (MHH) under the supervision of Prof. Tamura-Niemann focusing on the interplay between tyrosine kinase signaling and the mRNA export machinery (THO complex). After a brief postdoc fellowship in the same group, I joined the lab of Prof. Bernhagen at RWTH Aachen University in 2010 first as a post-doc and then junior group leader, focusing on the characterization of heteromeric cytokine¬/chemokine receptor complexes MIF proteins, and their function in immune and inflammatory diseases. I followed the lab when it moved to LMU Munich in the end of 2015, where I am now a senior staff scientist, junior group, leader, and technical laboratory head. My research aims at decrypting the role of the MIF protein family and their receptors in immune cells, in particular B lymphocytes, and the related mechanisms that drive inflammatory processes in cardiovascular or autoimmune disease. In my leisure time, I like horse riding and hiking.

Dr. med. Adrian Hoffmann, clinician scientist

I am a Clinician Scientist, working in the Department of Anesthesiology (LMU University Hospital) and doing research with a focus on the diverse effects of alarmins during sterile inflammation. I studied Medicine in Frankfurt and enjoy hiking, running and after-work-Isar-swimming.

Thierry Calandra, Professor of Medicine at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland

is a Fellow at the LMU Center for Advanced Studies (CAS) and a Visiting Guest Professor at the BernhagenLab in 2023 and 2024. Prof. Calandra is a renowned infectious disease expert and one of the pioneers of MIF and inflammatory cytokine research. As part of his LMU-CAS fellow/Visiting Professor appointment at the ISD, he pursues an immunology research line with a focus on dendritic cells, CD44, and MIF.

Dr. rer. nat. Markus Brandhofer, postdoctoral investigator & m4 team member

Originally from the Munich area, I obtained a Bachelor and Master in Biotechnology from FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences and first joined the Bernhagen Lab – back then located at RWTH Aachen University – for my Master thesis, working on effects of the proinflammatory cytokine MIF and alarmins in liver inflammation. In 2016, I followed the lab to the ISD and returned to Munich. Here, I’m interested in the role of MIF family proteins as atypical chemokines and investigate their crosstalk with classical chemokines. When I’m not busy in the lab, I enjoy visiting friends, trying different kinds of craft beer, going geocaching or just relaxing and reading a nice book.

Simona Gerra, M.Sc., Lab manager

I am originally from Italy, where I finished my Master’s studies in Biology at the University of Milano Bicocca. Working as Environmental Educator and Hiking Guide, I had the opportunity to share the basic ecological principles and evolutionary forces that affect wildlife and their associated habitats. I developed activities about topics such as forest, stream ecology and wildlife science. In August 2018, I joined the Bernhagen research group as Laboratory Technical Assistant. I perform bacterial culturing, protein purification, cell culture and immunoassays, as well as maintaining the lab supplies and equipment. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking and reading books.

Maida Avdic, B.Sc., Technical assistant

I am originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, where I received my Bachelor degree in Genetics and Bioengineering. In October 2021, I moved to Munich and joined the Bernhagen team as Technical Assistant. The position was very appealing to me because of my interest in biochemistry, vascular biology, and the mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases. I am excited to be in a top-class research institute where I can get trained in various technologies and methods. I am looking forward to share my gained knowledge with some other young scientists in the future. In my spare time, I like to spend time with my nieces and go for walks.

Roya Batool, M.Sc.,Technical Assistant at Bernhagen Lab and SyNergy Transcriptome Hub

I am originally from Pakistan and completed my Bachelor in Biosciences there. Pursuing further studies, I gained admission to the Master’s program at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences in Germany. There, I worked as a student research assistant and tutor in biochemistry and biotechnology for two years. While I enjoyed preparing bachelor’s students for molecular biology lab practices, I discovered a stronger interest in molecular biomedicine research. I joined the CURE-3D Lab at University Hospital Düsseldorf, where I completed an internship and Master thesis in area of cardiovascular diseases. In 2024, I joined research groups of Professor Bernhagen and Dr. Georgakis as a technical assistant. I am excited about gaining knowledge in modern technologies and applying my experiences for a meaningful cause. In my leisure time, I enjoy experimenting with recipes, writing blogs and reading books.

Bishan Yang, PhD student

Originally from China, I obtained my Master degree from South China University of Technology in physiology. I finished my Master thesis on the topic of cell recruitment mechanisms at the Institute of Biomechanics, and I decided to do further studies related to inflammation. In 2019, I was accepted as a PhD student in the Bernhagen lab funded by an LMU/CSC scholarship for 4 years. Now I study for my PhD thesis in which I explore the relationship between MIF proteins and B lymphocytes in atherosclerosis. In my spare time, I love playing card games with my friends as well as playing badminton. 

Lin Zhang, MD, PhD student

Originally from China, I studied Clinical Medicine at Zhengzhou University, where I got my medical Master’s degree. In the fall of 2019, I joined the Bernhagen lab to work on my PhD thesis. My research focuses on the role of MIF family proteins in the resolution of inflammatory processes, e.g. in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a project performed under the supervision of Dr. med. Adrian Hoffmann and in collaboration with the Department of Anesthesiology at LMU University Hospital. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends.

Simon Ebert, PhD student

I am originally from Augsburg, a lovely city near Munich. I first did an apprenticeship as a chemical laboratory assistant at ratiopharm Ulm. Following I obtained my B.Sc. in Chemistry and Biochemistry at LMU Munich, where I was furthermore admitted to the Deutschlandstipendium. Because of my interest in cardiovascular disease and inflammation, I performed my Master's Thesis in the Bernhagen Lab from April-September 2022 on a novel CD74 ligand and have started my PhD thesis on the role of chemokine receptor mimics and their utility in cardiovascular diseases in the end of 2022. During my spare time, I like to play ice hockey, go backcountry snowboarding, and cycling.

Michael Kobina Otabil, PhD student

Originally from Ghana, where I obtained a Bachelor in Biochemistry and Master in Pharmacology. I relocated to Munich, and enrolled in another master in Biochemistry studies at LMU, primarily to upgrade my research knowledge and skills in inflammation, ligand – receptor crosstalk and drug studies. I joined the Bernhagen research group for a practical course and master thesis. I am interested in studying the effect of MIF, an atypical chemokine and finding ways to modulate its receptor interactions helps to understand it chemotactic activity implicated in atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases, and also, how it signals through its receptor interaction.  

Yue Yuan, PhD student

I am a PhD student originally from China. I obtained my Master degree from Peking Union Medical College (Tsinghua University) and obtained a LMU-CSC scholarship for 4 years. I started working as a PhD student in the Bernhagen lab in Sept 2022. My research focuses on the role of the COP9 signalosome complex in atherosclerosis. To further my PhD training, I recently joined the graduate school of CRC1123 “Atherosclerosis”, IRTG1123. It is a great pleasure to study here in a lab full of joy and excellence.

Zhishen Zhang, MD, PhD student

Originally from China, where I obtained my Bachelor and Master in Medicine and Anesthesiology. The pandemic of COVID-19 gave me a chance to stop and think. Over years of working in the hospital as an anesthesiologist, I can still feel the adrenalin when I am handling challenging clinical cases with the evidence from research. Therefore, I decided to advance my research trajectory. In early 2024, I joined Prof. Bernhagen laboratory as a Ph.D. student. My Ph.D. thesis focuses on chemokine-targeting CXCR4 mimics in acute and chronic lung inflammation, a long-standing interdisciplinary project performed under the supervision of Dr. Adrian Hoffmann and in collaboration with the Department of Anesthesiology at LMU University Hospital. I enjoy hiking, cooking, staying with pets, and grabing kaffee and tea with friends in my spare time.

Yufei He, MD, PhD student

Originally from China, I completed my Master's degree in Plastic Surgery at Southern Medical University. I was awarded the Oversea Study Program of Guangzhou Elite Project, and in July 2024, I joined the Bernhagen lab to work on my research, focusing on the mechanisms of MIF-2 and interacting chemokines in inflammation, particularly in adipose tissue, wound healing, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This area of research is highly relevant to the field of plastic surgery and has greatly sparked my interest. I am conducting this work under the supervision of Dr. med. Adrian Hoffmann and in collaboration with the Department of Anesthesiology at LMU University Hospital and the Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery at University Hospital Zurich. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, singing, and trying delicious food.

Noor Ismail, cand. med., MD doctoral student

Growing up in Stuttgart, I started studying medicine at LMU Munich in 2018. For my MD doctoral thesis, I joined the Bernhagen lab in 2022, supported by a FöFoLe fellowship of Munich Medical Research School (MMRS). During my time here, I will work on 2 subtypes of so-called new MIFs, aiming to characterize their role and mechanisms in atherosclerosis, applying in vitro cell models and tissue specimens from carotid plaques. Outside the lab, I like reading, enjoying time in nature, and traveling.

Andi Abdyli, cand. med., MD doctoral student

Originally from Albania, I moved to Munich in 2017 and started studying medicine at the LMU Munich in 2018. I joined the Bernhagen Lab in my fifth year of studies for my MD thesis. During the time here, I will focus on the atypical chemokine MIF and its role in inflammatory processes, such as the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a project under the supervision of Dr. med. Adrian Hoffmann and in collaboration with the Department of Anesthesiology at LMU University Hospital. During my spare time, I like to play basketball or go grab a coffee with my friends.

Lea Piel, cand. med., MD doctoral student

Originally from Stuttgart, I moved to Munich in 2019 to study human medicine at LMU. Always having been interested in immunology and inflammation processes, I decided to join the Bernhagen Lab in 2023 following my goal to achieve a MD doctor‘s degree. To this end, I am investigating the role of a novelemerging member of the MIF family in cardiac physiology and pathology applying in vitro studies in human cardiomyocytes. When not working, I enjoy doing sports, drawing and travelling.

Simon Bittger, cand. med., MD doctoral student

I am a medical student at LMU Munich. Through my studies and a part-time job as student assistant at vascular surgery, my interest in molecular and cellular mechanisms of cardiovascular disease and inflammation was awakened and I joined the Bernhagen laboratory in April 2024. Based on preliminary work, I am investigating new MIF proteins and their role in atherosclerotic plaque formation. In my spare time, I like to spend time outdoors, doing sports and playing the piano.

Philipp Leopoldseder, Masteral Student

Originally from the Munich area, I finished my Bachelor in Biochemistry at the University of Bayreuth. After that I continued my studies with the Biochemistry Master’s program at LMU in Munich focusing on Biomedicine and Immunology. Recently, I joined the Bernhagen Lab to work on my Master’s thesis under the supervision of Dr. Omar El Bounkari. My research focuses on the involvement of macrophage migration inhibitory factor -2 (MIF-2) in lipogenesis in the context of atherosclerosis. In my free time I enjoy meeting with friends, hiking and bouldering.

Tanja Karolewski, Master Student

I am originally from the Stuttgart area where I am currently studying for my Bachelor's degree in Biopharmaceutical Sciences at Aalen University. In September 2024, I joined the Bernhagen lab to complete my internship semester. I am looking forward to improve my skills and knowledge in a top research institute and to gain a lot of knowledge in modern technologies. Outside the lab, I enjoy sports, especially athletics, and spending time outdoors with my dog.