Current Members
Andrea-Rafaela Nicolaidou (Speaker)
(Since 2023) Hello, my name is Andrea Rafaela and I come from Cyprus. I just started my first year of PhD with Prof. Dr. Rössler in the Behavioural Physiology and Sociobiology department, after also completing my BSc and MSc here in Würzburg. I am interested in the integration of different sensory (olfactory and visual) modalities in the honeybee, as it is essential in their foraging behaviour.
With my participation in the DRC, I hope to build my own network within the doctoral student community and help others do the same by organising events and guiding them through their studies.
Franziska Dusi (Deputy)
(Since 2024) I am Franzi and I'm currently working on my PhD on 3D adipose tissue models for breast cancer research at the UKW.
During my Masters in Medical Immunoscience and Infection, an international program in Bonn, I got in contact with students from all over the world. I've always enjoyed and profited from the subject-specific, but especially the informal exchange with my fellows and I'd love to continue that by joining the DRC.
Being in my second year, I can already offer some experience and helpful advice for new students, but with at least two more years to go, there is still some time to learn more and contribute to the GSLS organization.
Mail: dusi_f@ukw.de
Salma Abosabie
(Since 2024) My name is Salma Abosabie. I am a forth year medical student and first year Masters of translational medicine student in JMU Würzburg. I am also a medical doctoral researcher in the MD Excellence thesis program of the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS) conducting the lab work for my doctoral thesis at the Yale Cancer Center and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center. I have secured funding from various German scholarships to fund my stay in the US.
I have always enjoyed scientific research and have worked with different research groups in the past 6 years which results in various publications as co author in peer reviewed journals. My dream is to follow the physician scientist track as Cardiologist after I graduate from med school.
I want to apply for the DRC to be able to help my fellow GSLS MD/ PhD candidates and connect with likeminded people. Given my thesis stay abroad, I want to help my colleagues with securing research stays abroad and the necessary funding needed for such stays.
Gurumoorthy Amudhan
(Since 2022) Hi, I am Guru, a first-year PhD student. I started my PhD in September 2021 in the group of Prof. Christian Häring associated with the department of biochemistry and cell biology at the biocenter. I am a biochemist with a special interest in structural biology. I work primarily on condensin, a motor protein complex involved in chromosome assembly. The focus of my PhD is to understand the mechanism of how condensin with other factors regulates gene expression on a chromosome-wide scale.
I see DRC as a platform to build a network with fellow students from GSLS. In DRC, I want to help improve the overall quality of the PhD experience and build on my networking and organizational skills.
Miriam Campillo Prados
(Since 2024) My name is Miriam Campillo Prados and I come from Spain. I studied my Bachelor in beautiful Sevilla, did my Erasmus in Würzburg and liked it here so much that I decided to come back... and here I am now. In May I started my PhD in the group of Dr. Martin Vaeth. My project mainly focuses on the metabolic changes of innate and adaptive immune cells upon infection of S. aureus.
Apart from science, I really enjoy connecting with people, organising events and helping out other students going through same situations. As I do not want my PhD to be only a professional experience, but also a personal one, I decided to join the Council.
Samuel Carien
(Since 2025) Bonjour! I am Samuel, a French Ph.D. student from the Institute for Molecular Infection Biology.
Convinced that Science is social and creative by essence, I founded an art club allowing master’s and Ph.D. students from IMIB, HIRI, and RVZ organizations to express themselves. On a university scale, I co-organized the Eureka Symposium 2024 as a committee member. I also participated in the “Employer-Branding Kampagne” at Julius-Maximilian University which aims to improve its attractiveness.
Together with the DRC members, I aim to strengthen the bonds between the different institutes across Würzburg, through innovative activities, and to support students with empathy.
Philip Claus
(Since 2025) Hi, my name is Philip, and I am a second-year PhD student in experimental visceral surgery at the University Clinic, focusing on the intestinal immune system after gastric bypass. Before starting my PhD, I studied veterinary medicine at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, where I gained experience in organizing activities.
I am passionate about fostering collaboration, supporting fellow candidates, and sharing insights from my interdisciplinary background. I aim to bring these experiences to the DRC team, enrich our doctoral journey, and strengthen our network by contributing my creativity and enthusiasm!
Mail: claus_p@ukw.de
Peter Frost
(Since 2024) Hi, my name is Peter. I´m in my first year of PhD. After finishing my BA at the Julius-von-Sachs-Institute, I switched my field of interest to something with more medical content during my Master. Now, at the Institute of human genetics, I want to establish in my PhD a testsystem for variants of uncertain significance for my gene of interest ATM.
I joined the DRC to give some help back I got when I started studying. Be it helping organizing social events for PhD students, connecting with fellows or helping out with emotional support if these or that experiment is going bad, I will have an open ear for everyone.
Anastasiya Grinko
(Since 2024) Hi there! My name is Anastasiya Grinko, and I’m currently pursuing my PhD in single-cell sequencing at the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research.
I started my academic journey with a Franco-German Bachelor’s program in Saarbrücken and Strasbourg, and later, I joined the FOKUS Life Sciences program at the University of Würzburg for my Master’s thesis. Along the way, I discovered my passion for connecting with people and organizing impactful initiatives. I worked as a student tutor and had the privilege of chairing EUREKA! 2024. These experiences taught me how much I enjoy bringing people together, making things happen, and creating meaningful experiences.
That’s why I decided to join the DRC! I’m excited to support students, organize fun events to help everyone take a break from the busy PhD life, and foster open communication between PIs, the GSLS, and PhD student community.
Johanna Heckmann
(Since 2025) Hi, I’m Johanna. I’m originally from Munich and started my academic journey studying physics in Heidelberg before transferring to medical school in Würzburg, where I’m now in my fifth year. After completing a research stay at the Yale Center for Systems and Engineering Immunology, I recently began my medical doctoral thesis, supported by the GSLS MD Excellence Program. My current research focuses on computational neuroscience, exploring the relationship between hippocampal connectivity, inflammation, and mental well-being.
I’m passionate about fostering interdisciplinary exchange, which is why I greatly appreciate the GSLS’s inclusive approach that enables engagement in a collaborative environment across disciplines. I’m excited about joining the DRC and helping build a strong, interconnected network for all students passionate about life sciences. With my background in both physics and medicine, I bring a unique perspective and am confident that I can contribute valuable insights to the council and the broader GSLS community.
Pia Wittmann
(Since 2022) My name is Pia Wittmann, and I am in my first year of a PhD in Biomedicine after completing my Bachelor’s and Master’s in Würzburg. I am working in Prof. Beilhack’s group at the Department of Medicine II, focusing on testing a new immunotherapy for tumors.
I am eager to help the DRC after gaining experience as chair of the Biomedicine Student Council from 2020 to 2023, where I worked to revive its activities after COVID-19. This role also helped me learn about university politics and develop a passion for connecting with students at different stages of their studies.
Mail: wittmann_p@ukw.de
