Curriculum Vitae

Experience

INSTAND, Düsseldorf – Research Associate

since July 2023

As a research associate at INSTAND, I am involved in external quality control and focus on the analysis and publication of proficiency testing data in scientific journals, as well as presenting scientific results at conferences.

A central part of my work is coordinating and providing scientific support for national and international research projects. I assist both participants and manufacturers through technical consulting to ensure the highest quality standards in laboratory diagnostics.

Additionally, I am involved in the organization of training sessions and continuing education, as well as in the development of software solutions to optimize data analysis. I also represent INSTAND e.V. at trade fairs and scientific events to present current developments in quality assurance and engage with experts in the field.

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University Hospital, Tübingen – Ph.D. Student in Biochemistry

September 2019 – December 2023

During my Ph.D. at the University Hospital Tübingen, I conducted research within the graduate program GRK 2381 "cGMP: From Bedside to Bench" on the role of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in platelet ferroptosis. My dissertation, titled "cGMP regulates hemin-induced ferroptosis of platelets," explored key mechanisms of platelet biology and their impact on cardiovascular diseases.

A focus of my research was the analysis of platelet aggregation and the conduct of perfusion experiments to investigate platelet function under flow conditions. Furthermore, I employed flow cytometry, ELISA, and Western blotting to characterize signaling pathways in platelet regulation in detail.

My Ph.D. combined translational research with experimental methods to better understand the fundamental mechanisms of cardiovascular signal transduction and their relevance for the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases.

Education

Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen – Ph.D. Student in Biochemistry

September 2019 – December 2023 // grade: cum laude

As part of my Ph.D. at the University Hospital Tübingen, I researched in the graduate program GRK 2381 "cGMP: From Bedside to Bench" on the role of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in platelet ferroptosis.

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University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen – M.Sc. in Medical Biology

October 2017 – September 2019 // grade: 1.8

During my Master's degree, I specialized in cell and developmental biology as well as medical fields such as virology and pharmacology.

In my Master's thesis (Grade: 1.7) titled "Chemical-genetic interference with survivin function and the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) for targeted therapy in medulloblastoma," I investigated new therapeutic approaches for medulloblastomas by targeting survivin function and the chromosomal passenger complex. I used various cell biological and molecular biological methods to identify potential target structures for innovative treatment strategies.

My studies provided me with an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of diseases and their therapeutic modulation, further strengthening my analytical and experimental skills.

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University, Bielefeld– B.Sc. in Molecular Biology

October 2014 – September 2017 // grade: 2.2

During my Bachelor's degree, I focused on cell biology and molecular cell physiology and gained solid knowledge in protein biochemistry, gene expression, and cell culture techniques.

My Bachelor's thesis (Grade: 1.3) titled "Expression, Purification and Functional Testing of Recombinant Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor bFGF (FGF-2)" dealt with the recombinant expression and purification of FGF-2, an important growth factor for cell proliferation and regeneration. In this context, I conducted biochemical analyses for the functional characterization of the protein.

Through my studies, I was able to further develop my experimental and analytical skills and lay a solid foundation for my further scientific career.

Internships

Bayer Pharma AG, Wuppertal – Internship

October 2018 – February 2019

As part of my Master’s program in Medical Biology, I completed a lab rotation in the research group of PD Dr. P. Sandner in the field of experimental cardiovascular research. My work primarily focused on quantifying cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and its role in vascular signal transduction.

During the internship, I performed various biochemical analysis techniques, including:

• ELISA for determining cGMP concentrations 

• HTRF (Homogeneous Time-Resolved Fluorescence) for more sensitive cGMP detection

• HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) for chromatographic separation and analysis

This rotation provided me with valuable insights into pharmacological research strategies and deepened my understanding of signal transduction in the cardiovascular system, significantly shaping my scientific career.

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University Duisburg-Essen, Essen – Scientific Assistant

April 2018 – October 2018

During my Master’s studies in Medical Biology, I worked as a scientific assistant in the Molecular Biology II research group led by Prof. Dr. Shirley Knauer.

My tasks included general laboratory work, supporting ongoing research projects, and performing basic molecular biological and cell biological experiments. This experience allowed me to further develop my technical skills and gain valuable experience in a scientific laboratory environment. Later, I also completed my Master's thesis within this research group.

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Klinikum Mitte, Bielefeld – Internship

July 2017 – September 2017

Following my Bachelor’s degree and during the transition to my Master’s, I worked in the clinical research laboratory at Klinikum Mitte. My responsibilities included applying standard histological techniques and conducting cell biological assays. I gained valuable insights into clinical research and further developed my practical skills in cell biology and histology.

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Bayer Pharma AG, Wuppertal – School internship

January 2012 – February 2012

During my student internship at Bayer Pharma AG in Wuppertal, I gained initial practical experience in the pharmaceutical industry. I visited various departments and assisted the team with general tasks, gaining insights into pharmaceutical production and the basics of drug development.

Additional Qualifications

Quality Management Representative, Cologne– alfatraining

June 2023 – July 2023 // TÜV Rheinland certified // grade: excellent (100 points)

As part of a four-week full-time training program (160 teaching hours), I acquired in-depth knowledge of quality management and successfully passed the certification exam for Quality Management Representative.

Key Training Areas:

• Fundamentals of Quality Management – Terms, definitions, standards, and regulations

• Quality Management Systems – Organizational context, internal & external influencing factors

• Auditing & Certification – Internal audits, supplier audits, certification processes

• Total Quality Management & EFQM Model – Continuous improvement & corrective actions

• Project Management – Effective project execution & risk management

• Communication in Quality Management – Iceberg principle, four-ear model, communication strategies

• AI in the Workplace – Practical application of AI technologies in professional environments

• Operations & Performance Evaluation – Process control, product approvals, management reviews

This practice-oriented training provided me with comprehensive knowledge on the implementation, monitoring, and improvement of quality management systems within organizations.

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Laboratory Animal Science Course, Tübingen – University Hospital

October 2019 – February 2020 

I successfully completed the Laboratory Animal Science Course at the University of Tübingen, fulfilling the requirements for expertise in animal welfare and laboratory animal science as per Annex V of Directive 2010/63/EU, as well as § 3 Abs. 2, § 16 Abs. 1 Satz 3 Nr. 2, and Annex 1 Sections 2 and 3 of the German Animal Welfare Laboratory Animal Ordinance (Tierschutz-Versuchstierverordnung).

The course covered the following topics:

1. Overview of laboratory animal science, ethical considerations, and handling of laboratory rodents

2. Biological characteristics of common laboratory animals, necropsy, administration techniques, and blood sampling

3. Animal welfare regulations, ethics, and humane euthanasia methods

4. Hygiene and environmental standardization in animal housing and experimental settings

5. Genetic standardization, genetically modified animal models, nomenclature, identification methods, and biopsy for genotyping

6. Anesthesia, postoperative analgesia, and assessment of distress

7. Surgical suturing techniques and injection methods

8. Surgical exercises, cardiac puncture, and humane euthanasia

9. Guided tour of two animal housing facilities

This training provided me with in-depth knowledge of laboratory animal handling, experimental procedures, and regulatory frameworks, ensuring compliance with ethical and legal standards in preclinical research.

Awards

Poster Award, Düsseldorf – 2nd Cardiovascular Disease Symposium

June 2021 

At the 2nd Cardiovascular Disease Symposium in Düsseldorf, I was awarded the Poster Award for my presentation titled "Platelet-Derived PCSK9 Is Associated with LDL Metabolism and Modulates Atherothrombotic Mechanisms in Coronary Artery Disease."

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Scholarship, Munich– Deutsches Museum,

December 2013 

As part of a scholarship from MNU/GDNÄ and the travel foundation of the Deutsches Museum, I participated in a course on the history of technology and natural sciences. This course provided me with a deeper understanding of the historical development of technology and science, allowing me to explore significant milestones in these fields.

Publications

• Kremser, M., Weiss, N., Kaufmann-Stoeck, A., et al. (2024). Longitudinal evaluation of external quality assessment results for CA 15-3, CA 19-9, and CA 125. Frontiers in molecular biosciences, 11, 1401619. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2024.1401619

• Kremser, M., Weiss, N., Kaufmann-Stoeck, A., et al. (2024). Longitudinal analysis of 20 Years of external quality assurance schemes for PCR/NAAT-based bacterial genome detection in diagnostic testing. Frontiers in molecular biosciences, 11, 1373114. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2024.1373114

• Vierbaum, L., Weiss, N., Kaiser, P., Kremser, M., Wenzel, F., Thevis, M., Schellenberg, I., & Luppa, P. B. (2024). Longitudinal analysis of external quality assessment of immunoassay-based steroid hormone measurement indicates potential for improvement in standardization. Frontiers in molecular biosciences, 11, 1345356. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2024.1345356

• Rohlfing, A. K., Kremser, M., Schaale, D., et al. (2024). cGMP modulates hemin-mediated platelet death. Thrombosis research, 234, 63–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2023.12.008

• Fink, A., Rohlfing, A. K., Dicenta, V., Schaale, D., Kremser, M., et al. (2023). The Subtilisin-Like Protease Furin Regulates Hemin-Dependent Ectodomain Shedding of Glycoprotein VI. Thrombosis and haemostasis, 10.1055/s-0043-1768057. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-1768057

• Rohlfing, A. K., Kolb, K., Sigle, M., Ziegler, M., Bild, A., Münzer, P., Sudmann, J., Dicenta, V., Harm, T., Manke, M. C., Geue, S., Kremser, M., et al. (2022). ACKR3 regulates platelet activation and ischemia- reperfusion tissue injury. Nature communications, 13(1), 1823. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-29341-1

• Nestele, J. A., Rohlfing, A. K., Dicenta, V., Bild, A., Eißler, D., Emschermann, F., Kremser, M., et al. (2021). Characterization of GPVI- or GPVI-CD39-Coated Nanoparticles and Their Impact on In Vitro Thrombus Formation. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23010011

• Petersen-Uribe, Á., Kremser, M., Rohlfing, A. K., et al. (2021). Platelet-Derived PCSK9 Is Associated with LDL Metabolism and Modulates Atherothrombotic Mechanisms in Coronary Artery Disease. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(20), 11179. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222011179

• Kremser, M., Winkler, S., Eitner, F., Bénardeau, A., Kraehling, J. R. (2019). Comparison of different measurement methods of cGMP. 9th International Conference on cGMP, Mainz, Germany, 14 Jun 2019 - 16 Jun 2019; Journal of translational medicine 17(Supplement 2), P22 (2019). special issue:„Meeting abstracts from the 9th International Conference on cGMP: Generators, Effectors and Therapeutic Implications“ / pages 25-26. DOI: 10.18154/RWTH-2019-08395.