Dr. Indra Bekere

DFG Walter Benjamin Postdoctoral Fellow

After completing my PhD at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, I joined the Oliveira Mann lab as a postdoctoral researcher. In my project, I use different cell-based assays and bioinformatics analysis to study nucleotide signal transduction. Outside the lab, I enjoy being in nature (mushroom picking, hiking...) and playing board games.

indra.bekere(at)tum.de             https://twitter.com/BekereIndra

Dr. Andreas Holleufer

Novo Nordisk Fonden Postdoctoral Fellow

I did my PhD in Prof. Rune Hartmann's group at Aarhus University, where I worked on characterizing STING activation and identifying upstream cellular factors in fruit flies. The overall goal was to study cGAS-STING evolution. After my first postdoc, I moved to Munich, where I joined Dr. Carina Mann's group to address exciting new questions about the role of cGAS in humans.

andreas.holleufer(at)tum.de

Veronika Merold

During my master studies in biology I discovered my interest in immunology and biochemistry. After my thesis in microbiology, I was looking for an interdisciplinary PhD project. I am looking forward to the opportunity to learn new approaches and investigate the molecular mechanism of OAS proteins in a motivating environment. In my free time, I enjoy traveling and hiking.

v.merold@tum.de

Simon Wenzl

After completing my master's degree in biochemistry at LMU Munich and a six-month research stay at the Harvard Medical School, I recently joined the NTase Lab for my PhD. In my project, I aim to investigate yet unknown molecular mechanisms of human NTases using an interdisciplinary toolbox of methods. I am looking forward to exciting times and new discoveries in NTase biology and innate immunity, stay tuned!

Simon.wenzl(at)tum.de            https://twitter.com/simonjwenzl

Sabrina Egender

After my bachelor's degree (Molecular Medicine, Ulm, Germany) with a bachelor's thesis in the field of tumor immunology, the method of proteomics excited me during my master's degree (Molecular Biotechnology, TUM). While I am continuing to work on my master’s thesis project on cGAS-STING as a PhD student, I am very happy to be able to combine the topics of immunology and cancer and, in the meantime, to learn more about the technique of proteomics and to explore many more techniques, such as protein purification. In my spare time, you can probably find me in a horse stable somewhere in the world.

sabrina.egender(at)tum.de

Tabea Kaiser

After my master’s degree in molecular medicine, I wanted to follow my interest in immunology. I am looking forward to gain new insights into NTases as part of innate immunity pathways via different cell and in vitro methods during my PhD. Besides science, I enjoy art, being in nature and playing board games.

tabea.kaiser(at)tum.de

Theresa Franz

After a bachelor's degree in biochemistry and a master's degree in biomedical neuroscience, I was looking for a lab that not only offered an interesting research topic but also a wide variety of methods from various disciplines, and I found it at the NTase Lab. Here, I am excited to investigate the molecular mechanisms and interactions of NTases, especially OAS proteins, during my PhD and apply many new methods in the process. Outside the lab, I enjoy cycling, swimming, hiking and, of course, spending nice, cozy evenings at home.

theresa.franz(at)tum.de

Jeff Offorjindu

When I started my apprenticeship as a chemical laboratory technician, I was eager to learn more about chemistry and especially medicinal chemistry. For that reason, I joined the NTase Lab to get a better understanding of our immune system and the chemistry behind some diseases. I want to be present when special or new information is gathered during science projects and be there when help is needed, I am certain this is possible here. Besides science, I like to play chess and exercise in the gym.

jeff.offorjindu(at)tum.de

Judith Neubert

In 2023, I started an apprenticeship as a chemical laboratory technician at TUM. In my first year of apprenticeship I started at the Chair of Urban Water Management until I switched to the Organization of Laboratory Courses in September 2024. In June 2025, I joined the NTase Lab group and support the team for half a year. In my free time, I enjoy horse riding and spending time with my friends.

judith.neubert(at)tum.de

Jule Wahl

I am currently doing my Master's degree in Biochemistry at TUM and have joined the NTase team to gain a deeper insight into current research in biomedical sciences. I support the team with molecular biological and housekeeping tasks to further improve my laboratory skills and knowledge. When I'm not in the lab, I lenjoy being outside and going running and hiking in the mountains with my friends.

Fabian Zoppelt

Since I have started my studies in biochemistry at TUM, I have always been interested in structural biology. As I have also been fascinated by immunological topics, I am eager to work in the Ntase lab for my master's thesis. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy swimming, spending time with friends as well as playing cards.

fabian.zoppelt(at)tum.de

Hanna Mayr

Since the beginning of my biochemistry studies, I have been fascinated by biochemical pathways within cells and developed a great interest in cellular protein biochemistry. With the NTase lab I found the perfect lab to pursue my interest in innate immune responses during viral infections. I am excited to work in the NTase lab for my bachelor's thesis. In my free time, I enjoy figure skating, cycling, hiking and baking.

hanna.mayr(at)tum.de

Sonja Ortner

ortner(at)tum.de