team

 
 

Torsten Ochsenreiter - group leader

Torsten was trained as a microbial ecologist at the University of Darmstadt in Germany. He applied environmental genomics approaches to characterize the function of non-cultured bacteria and archaea, primarily in soil habitats. During his postdoc in the US, he became fascinated with trypanosomes and characterized functional aspects of mitochondrial RNA editing in these parasites. In 2008, he moved to Bern, Switzerland, to start his own lab and work in molecular parasitology on mitochondrial organelle biogenesis. Since 2016 Torsten has been an Associate Professor in Cell and Microbiology at the Institute of Cell Biology in Bern. In 2022 Torsten completed a CAS for Systemic Coaching and Change Management at the University of Cologne, Germany. When not in his office, classroom or lab Torsten enjoys being up in the air, flying a glider or very recently also a paraglider.

Gaëlle Lentini - ambizione fellow

Gaëlle delved in parasitology early on by studying the mechanism of host cell invasion in the human parasite Toxoplasma gondii during her PhD at the University of Montpellier (France). For her post-doc, Gaëlle scrutinized the host-pathogen interactions between Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease and its mammalian host cell at the Harvard School of Public Health (Boston). This venture was extremely exciting and Gaëlle became passionate about T. cruzi biology. Back in Europe at the University of Geneva, she started her independent project on the mechanism of cellular abscission in T. gondii. Since September 2023, Gaëlle is a Ambizione group leader associated with the Ochsenreiter lab and investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms of EXIT employed by T. cruzi to egress from its host cell. For out of the bench activities, Gaëlle spends her time hiking, cycling and enjoys discovering the world’s best cuisines.

Markus Gerber - lab manager

In 2024, Markus completed his PhD in the Schneider Lab at the University of Bern, where he investigated mitochondrial quality control in Trypanosoma brucei. Since March 2024, he has been working as a lab manager in our lab. In his free time, he enjoys screaming his lungs out with his band Thy Gnosis.

Sara De Grandis - lab technician

Sara De Grandis finished her master in Experimental Biomedical Research at the University of Fribourg in June 2023, specializing in Microbiology. In December 2023, she joined Ambizione Fellow Gaëlle Lentini’s lab as a Lab Technician to investigate Trypanosoma cruzi’s exit strategy, driven by her deep fascination with pathogens. In her free time she loves hiking in the mountains, running and cycling.

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Çlirim Jetishi - PhD student

Çlirim Jetishi started his PhD in March 2021. He is interested in unraveling the mysteries of kDNA replication and segregation in Trypanosoma brucei using super-resolution microscopy. His natural habitats are parks, bars, and rivers, where he likes to play games and do sports.

Roman Engimann - apprentice/technician

Roman is a trainee laboratory technician who stands out for his skills and helpful nature. His excellent knowledge of geography is a great asset during the team crossword puzzles solved at lunch breaks. Beyond his passion for geography, Roman is highly competent in his lab work, performing tasks with precision and reliability, which he truly enjoys. Moreover, he supports his colleagues by taking on tasks they don’t have time for. Roman's dedication and teamwork make him a valued member of the team.

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Bianca Berger - PhD student

Bianca Berger started her PhD in April 2021. She is interested in using super-resolution expansion microscopy to visualize and further characterize the organization of the mitochondrial segregation machinery in Trypanosoma brucei. When Bianca is not in the lab, she enjoys spending time in nature. In addition to walking and riding her bike, she loves taking care of her garden and indoor plants. Growing up on a farm, Bianca became fascinated with nature at a young age and wanted to become a scientist to uncover the secrets of life.

Adamantia Chantziou - PhD student

Amanda is a PhD student who joined the lab in 2023. She is interested in cell biology and wants to unravel the mechanism of mitochondrial fusion and fission in T. brucei. In her free time she enjoys reading books, painting and cinema.

Robin Eberle - PhD student

Meet Robin, a dedicated member of our team who brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our research endeavors. Having completed his Bachelor and Master's degrees at ETH in Zurich, Robin possesses a strong academic foundation that serves as a solid base for his contributions to our projects. Beyond his academic pursuits, Robin finds solace in the great outdoors, often embarking on picturesque hikes to recharge his creativity and focus. In the realm of artistic expression, he also dedicates his free time to the enchanting melodies of the piano, a passion that beautifully complements his scientific pursuits.

Himaja Manjunatha - master student

Ever since she graduated with a Bachelors in Life Sciences in 2021, Himaja was clear that her future lay in Microbiology. Eager to learn more about the fascinating field, she pursued her Master's in Molecular Life Sciences at the University of Bern which led her to discover the fascinating world of parasites.  She decided to base her Master's thesis on identification of novel mitochondrial transcription factors in Trypanosoma brucei at the Ochsenreiter lab. When she is not occupied in the lab under the hood with her little critters, she is busy bringing her artistic vision to life with digital art and sketches. Unleashing her South-Asian genes in the kitchen to cook up delicious food is one of her favourite pastimes. Overall, Himaja hopes that her contributions to the scientific community can leave a positive impact on society.

Andri Huber - master student

Andri first joined the group during a summer practical in July 2022. Since then, he was fascinated by Trypanosoma brucei and the work in the lab. He also completed his bachelor's thesis in this lab in 2023. In September 2023 he joined the team again for his master’s thesis. When he is not in the lab, he enjoys sports such as football and snowboarding or spends time at his favorite bars.

 

Alumni

  • Sandro Käser - lab manager

  • Bernd Schimanski - postdoc

  • Daniel Nilson - postdoc

  • Irina Bregy - PhD

  • Ana Kalichava - PhD

  • Simona Amodeo - PhD

  • Anneliese Hofmann - PhD

  • Hélène Carobbio (Baudouin) - PhD

  • Borka Jojic - PhD

  • Roman Trikin - PhD

  • Kapila Gunasekera - PhD

  • Olivera Cirovic - PhD

  • Mara Kern - MSc

  • Monika Bütler - MSc

  • Sebastian Milius - MSc

  • Martin Jakob - MSc

  • Nicolas Doiron - MSc

  • Yimu Wang - MSc

  • Daniel Wüthrich - MSc

  • Judith Schranz-Zumkehr - MSc

  • Ado Crnovrsanin - apprentice/technician

  • Jeaninne Wägli - technician

  • Laura Pfeifer - technician

  • Astrid Chanfon - technician