Our Team
Xihui Chen, PhD
Postdoc
I earned my Ph.D. in Clinical Genetics in China, where my research focused on the diagnosis and mechanistic investigation of monogenic neurodegenerative diseases. In July 2023, I joined the Gökce Lab as a postdoctoral researcher. I was drawn to the lab's interdisciplinary approach, which fosters innovative connections between biology and therapeutic discovery. My work combines computational biology and medicine to advance our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and improve patient outcomes.
Outside of the lab, I love swimming and exploring new places. I’m also passionate about learning new languages and enjoy discovering memes to share a laugh with friends.
Science, for me, is about curiosity and creativity, and I’m thrilled to be on this journey with the amazing team at the Gökce Lab.
Peter
Androvič, PhD
Postdoc
Biological processes are driven by genetic regulatory programs acting within larger molecular and cellular systems. My goal is to understand the inner working of these systems, how it fails in aging and CNS disease, and how it can be repaired. To this end I utilize single-cell genomic technologies and computational analysis, which allows me to assay and model circuitry of the cellular networks. I am from Slovakia, and before joining Gokce lab in 2020 I did my PhD research in Prague, Czech Republic, where I was developing and utilizing technologies for microRNA and gene expression profiling. Besides research, I enjoy gym, playing badminton, board games (actually any kind of sport or game), hiking, and re-watching the same sitcoms for the hundredth time.
Yifan Xu, MSc
PhD student
I come from China, and gained my Master's degree in Clinical Medicine of Neurosurgery at Zhejiang University in 2024. I joined Gökce lab in October 2024 as a PhD student. My doctoral project aims to use animal models and spatial transcriptomics to understand the pathology of aneurysmal subaranchnoid hemorrhage brain injury and explore potential therapy targets. Recently, I got interested in cooking and bicycle riding.
Zeyi Wang, MSc
PhD student
I am originally from China and completed my Bachelor of Clinical Medicine at Capital Medical University in 2020, followed by a Master of Clinical Medicine in Neurology at the same institution in 2023. During my master’s studies, I focused on clinical and translational research in neurological diseases, including myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. I joined the Gökce lab in 2024 as a PhD student. My current research interests focus on the immune mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s Disease, particularly the role of T cells and their interactions with microglia in neuroinflammation and white matter damage. Outside the lab, I enjoy listening to music, hiking, and swimming.
Cem Buğra Kaboğlu, MSc
PhD student
I completed my bachelor’s in Molecular Biology and Genetics at Bilkent University in Ankara. I joined the Gökce Lab for my master's thesis at LMU Munich, focusing on single-cell RNA sequencing. Coming from a molecular biology background, I strive to integrate wet-lab and dry-lab methodologies to comprehend biological concepts and formulate research inquiries through bioinformatic analysis. Currently, as a PhD student, my focus lies on spatial transcriptomics to acquire diverse modalities for addressing system-wide questions, with a keen interest in Omic technology advancements. In my spare time, I like camping, reading, and looking up useless history and paleontology facts to bore my friends.
Qian Liu, MSc
PhD student
Originally from China! In 2021, I just received CSC scholarship and joined Gökce lab. Before that, I got my Master's degree from Peking University in June 2021, majoring in diabetic kidney disease. In the future, I want to learn more about bioinformatics and have a deeper understanding about Alzheimer's Disease. In my spare time, I like reading, watching dramas and visiting museums.
Sharan Rajakumar, MSc
PhD student
I completed my integrated bachelor's and master's (Msci) in Immunology at the University of Glasgow, where my research focused on deciphering microglial heterogeneity using single-cell RNA sequencing. Currently, my PhD research aims to understand the role of interferon-responsive microglia in neurodegeneration. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking and reading science fiction.
Tuğberk
Kaya,
MSc
GSN PhD student
(co-mentored with Mikael Simons)
I am originally from Turkey, where I have finished my Master's studies in Neuroscience, with a focus on bioinformatics. Currently, I'm using single cell transcriptomics tools to study mechanisms of glial cell activation in the context of aging and Alzheimer's Disease. In my spare time, I enjoy watching sports, playing video-games and the occasional workout session.
Fumere
Usifo
, MSc / LabManager
Within our team, I run and maintain the genomic pipelines. I enjoy being able to reveal biological complexities with the different technologies that we have established in our lab. I grew up in Swabia, Germany, and I have lived in the UK for several years. Before moving back to Germany and joining the Gökce lab, I completed my MSc degree at Imperial College London. In my spare time, I love being in nature, and I go to the gym. I express my creative side by making jewellery and doing resin art.
Luisa Howainsky/ BSc
Lab assistent
I grew up in the beautiful region of Upper Lusatia (Oberlausitz/Hornja Łužica). I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biotechnology from the University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz, located in Germany’s easternmost district. During my studies, I spent a year in Prague working on my bachelor’s project, which focused on the differentiation of hiPSCs to characterize disease-linked splicing factor mutations.
In 2024, I joined the Gökce Lab and have been diving into the exciting field of neurobiological medicine since then. I am proud to support my team with neurological assays and administrative tasks, contributing to the lab's mission of addressing critical research questions in neurodegeneration. In my freetime, I enjoy dancing, learning languages and browsing through flea markets.