CURRENT MEMBERS - PHD STUDENTS
Ilaria Venturelli
" I am an evolutionary biologist and I am interested in the evolution of life-history, in particular in anything revolving around trade-offs and understanding the genetics unerpinning these correlations. Drosophila melanogaster is one of my favorite model organisms, and in particular I am interested in the symbiont Wolbachia, and the possible evolutionary consequences that this could have on population of D. melanogaster."
My hobbies mainly revolve around visiting new places, reading and the world of medieval texts and literature! I also enjoy trying creative new things, the recent ones being like emboidery and cross-stitching.
Contact me at: Ilaria.Venturelli@mpi-bn.mpg.de
Zhixin Niu
"I have a MSc in biochemistry and molecular biology (2021) from Southwest University, China, and join IMPRS program as a doctoral student of Dr. Gu's group at MPI-HLR. I am interested in Wolbachia, evolution, epigenetics, and bioinformatics. My Ph.D. studies will work on the relationship between Wolbachia and epigenetic modification using Drosophila melanogaster as a model, which needs to be illustrated by the combination of multi-omics integration research, molecular works, and bioinformatic analysis."
hobby: swimming, travel, badminton, drum sets
Contact me at: Zhixin.Niu@mpi-bn.mpg.de
Ruoxi Liu
"I graduated from Shandong University in China in 2020, with a master degree on Obstetrics and Gynecology. My master’s research focused on reproductive and development medicine. Now I’m a PhD candidate in Dr. Gu’s group of epigenetics Laboratory in MPI-HLR."
In my spare time, I like painting and digital painting, and the use of it in biomedical graphics.
Contact me at: Ruoxi.Liu@mpi-bn.mpg.de
Yi He
"My name is He Yi, and I received a Master's degree from Beijing Jiaotong University in China. I began the IMPRS program as a doctoral student in Dr. Gu's group at MPI-HLR in 2022. My research interests are in bioinformatics and epigenetics, with a special focus on the analysis of sequencing data for biological problems. During my studies, I will conduct research on the mechanism of mammal-specific heart regeneration using bioinformatic methods.
I love animals, and my interest outside of the lab include hiking and animal observation. I also enjoy playing strategy computer games."
contact me at: Yi.He@mpi-bn.mpg.de
INTERN STUDENTS
Harshit Jindal
"I'm an aspiring researcher, pursuing masters in Physical Biology of Cells and Cell Interactions at Goethe University, Frankfurt. With my overall background in biomedical sciences, I’ve always been fascinated to explore basic and translational research in the field of cell biology mainly related to establishment and maintenance of cellular identity. Herein Dr. Gu's research group, I'll be undertaking my master's thesis to investigate the epigenetic regulations of regeneration.
Outside of the lab, I enjoy going on bike rides, hiking, and reading novels. Apart from this, you can find me trying random new interests every week. "
Ebthal Farag
"I finished my master's studies in Biotechnology at Justus Liebig University in Giessen, currently, I joined Dr Gu's lab at MPI-HLR as an intern in order to get experience related to epigenetics and bioinformatics fields. I am trying to understand the effect of psychological stresses on epigenetics especially in the presence of the reproductive parasite Wolbachia.
In my spare time, I like to read in the open air, walk, write poetry and listen to music. some times I find crafts and decoration work exciting, interestingly, I will start learning to fish soon."
Deepika Pradeep
“I am currently completing my MSc. in Life Science Informatics at the University of Bonn. My research project focuses on utilizing genetic variants statistically associated with coronary artery disease to identify genes directly involved in causing the disease.
Outside of my academic pursuits, I love baking, playing the violin, reading, and exploring the depths of Netflix.”
ALUMNI
Betül Beyza Güneş
" I am a last-year medical student at Biruni University in Istanbul and am interested in pursuing a Ph.D. degree. After conducting research both in the United States and the United Kingdom, I realized that I want to understand the underlying mechanisms behind cancer better, and by joining Dr. Gu's lab as an Erasmus scholar, I will be working on epigenetics regulation of tumor response to immunotherapy. "
Other than science, I love nature sports, especially cycling and swimming. Exploring new cultures and making friends from all over the world are what define me most!
Contact me at: Betuel-Beyza.Guenes@mpi-bn.mpg.de
Henri Hofmann
" I'm currently doing my Master's degree in Bioinformatics at the Justus Liebig University in Giessen. I'm an intern and work under Gu Lei on epigenetic mechanisms in regulating responses of tumors to immune therapy."
In my spare time, I am interested in 3D printing, the thickest fantasy novels I can find, and all the creepy crawlers you can think of.
Contact me at: Henri.Hofmann@bio.uni-giessen.de
Hongbiao Huang
" I’m a visiting PhD student and comes from Soochow University in China. I’m a pediatrician and have 7 years clinical experiences. During my doctoral study, I mainly focus on Kawasaki Disease. Bioinformatics methods will be used to study the mechanism of Kawasaki Disease in my future plan. Running and video games are my important leisure methods. "
Contact me at: hongbiao.huang@mpi-bn.mpg.de
Tengjia Jiang
"I have a Master’s degree of medicine in Oncology (2021) from Sun Yat-sen University, China. I mainly focused on multi-omics bioinformatics analysis of cancer which originated from clinical issues. I am familiar with the processing of various high-throughput sequencing data (WGS, WES, ctDNA, RNAseq) of cancer and building survival analysis models. My Ph.D. studies will focus on exploring the epigenetic mechanism of cancer and its interplay with response to immune therapy."
I am open to trying new things such as guitar, roller skating, badminton, swimming. When I am under stress, I like to read science fiction, mysteries, watch horror movies or just jump rope like crazy.
Contact me at: Tengjia.Jiang@mpi-bn.mpg.de
Faiza Khurshid
“My name is Faiza Khurshid and I am doing Masters in Life Science Informatics at the University of Bonn. I have joined Dr Gu Lei research group to conduct research for my master thesis in the area of novel disease gene identification in Coronary heart disease. "
Apart from studies, I love to visit new places, go on hiking and listen to
music."
Contact me at: Faiza.Khurshid@mpi-bn.mpg.de
Jiaying Li
"I am an undergraduate at the University of California, Berkeley. My intended major is Molecular and Cellular Biology. I am currently interested in cell biology, development & physiology. I join Dr. Gu's lab to learn more about experiment practices and lab analysis. Hopefully I can find the areas of my most interest here.
I love Japanese anime, suspense novels and dramas, and equestrianism."