Beckervordersandforth Lab
Astrocyte Diversity and Dynamics
Current Members
Ruth Beckervordersandforth
Group Leader
Ruth is a group leader at the Institute of Biochemistry. After studying Biology at the Westfälische-Wilhelms-University Münster she did her PhD in the lab of Gerd Technau at the Johannes-Gutenberg-University of Mainz, where she discovered her first interest - glial cell diversity. As a Postdoc, she joined Magdalena Götz’s group at the Helmholtz Centre in Munich and got in touch with her second favorite scientific topic – adult neurogenesis. Ruth continued to work on mechanisms regulating adult neurogenesis in the lab of Chichung Lie, FAU Erlangen focusing on the role of mitochondrial metabolism in the hippocampal lineage progression. To establish her own group, she combined her long-standing interest in glial cells with stem cell biology and regulation of adult neurogenesis. Her main scientific focus is now on understanding how astrocytes - as major components of the neurogenic niche - interact with their environment to regulate hippocampal plasticity. In her non-scientific life, Ruth is a passionate reader and loves cooking, surfing and listening to Indie-music.
Nick Chalmers
PhD Student
Nick joined the group as a PhD student in 2021. Nick is a member of the GRK2162 and investigates the contribution of hippocampal niche astrocytes to synaptic integration of newborn neurons. He studied Integrative Physiology at the University of Boulder, Colorado. Prio to joining the lab he worked in the lab of Paco Herson and Nidia Quillinan at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus looking at global ischemic injury in the brain. Apart from work he is kept busy by his two lovely kids and enjoys rock climbing, mountain biking and anything else outdoors.
Eva Masouti
PhD Student
Evangelia started as a PhD student in 2022. She studied Biological Application and Technology at the University of Ioannina, Greece, and did her Master’s in Neurosciences in the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. During her Master’s she obtained her Thesis in Panagiotis Politis lab at the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens (BRFAA). Eva assesses the function of astrocytic glutamate transporters in the regulation of hippocampal stem cells. She was a semi-professional swimmer, rower and ballet dancer and loves German bakeries.
Jacob Schmidt
MD Student
Jakob joined the group in March 2023, he studies medicine at FAU and is a member of GRK2162. In collaboration with the Departments of Neuropathology (Prof. Ingmar Blümcke) and Neurosurgery (Dr. Sebastian Brandner) as well as with Dr. Christophe Heinrich (Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute in Lyon), he is investigating the contribution of astrocyte subtype-specific networks in the dentate gyrus of patients and in mouse model to the pathology of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Jakob loves winter and skiing in the mountains. He plays the saxophone and is very fascinated by fractal geometry in nature and in humans.
Chiara Loetzsch
MD Student
Chiara recently joined the lab in October 2022. She studies Medicine at the FAU and is funded by the Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research of the FAU. In collaboration with the Departments of Neuropathology (Prof. Ingmar Blümcke) and Neurosurgery (Dr. Sebastian Brandner) of the University clinics Erlangen she will assess astrocyte diversity and dynamic in human patients with different forms of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.
Chiara loves skiing in the mountains. One of her great passions is cooking – but she enjoys to try out international restaurants with friends as well.
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Previous Members
Felix Beyer
Postdoctoral Researcher
Felix joined the group in 2019. He studied Biology and did his PhD with Patrick Küry at the Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf. Supported by a DFG Walter-Benjamin-Fellowship, he investigated the role of Sox9 in neuron-to-glia fate decisions of adult hippocampal NSCs. Felix likes hiking in the wild and looking at the night sky while enjoying good cuisine and distinguished Gin.
Julian Karpf
MD Student
Julian started in the lab in 2017. He studied Medicine at the FAU Erlangen and investigated hippocampal astrocyte diversity in his medical thesis. Julian was funded by the GRK2162 and is now doing his residency in Neurology at the University Hospital, FAU-Erlangen. He is a musician, soccer player and party animal.
Marcel Schneider
MD Student
Marcel joined the group in 2018. He studied Medicine in Erlangen and assessed hippocampal astrogenesis in genetic models of psychiatric diseases funded by the Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research of the FAU. He is now doing his residency in Radiology at the University Hospital, FAU- Erlangen. Since his childhood Marcel plays chess and tries his best at being a good-weather soccer player. One sentence that describes him best: it costs $0.00 to be a nice person!
Julia Schneider
PhD Student
Julia started her PhD in the lab in 2018 after studying Molecular Medicine in Erlangen. As an associate to the GRK 2162 she examined the process of hippocampal astrogenesis from developmental to adult stages. She currently works as a clinical research associate at PSI CRO GMBH. Julia loves going to concerts, travelling and is a swimming teacher.
Christian Fiebig
MD Student
Christian joined the lab for his medical thesis in 2014, still being part of the Lie lab. Also funded by the GRK2162, he studied mitochondrial metabolisms in NSCs and astrocytes and is now doing his residency in Urology at the University Hospital, FAU-Erlangen. Christian likes biking and playing tennis and is a specialist in using tupperware to take home the leftovers from the barbecue parties.
Johannes Weigel
MD Student
Johannes studies Medicine in Erlangen and joined the group in 2020. He was funded by the Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research of FAU and examined hippocampal astrogenesis in aging mice. Johannes loves to discover new places and plays the piano. He relaxes while being in nature or having a cup of espresso
