Anne-Kathrin Classen (she/her)

I received my BSc in Cell Biology from the University of Manchester and my MSc in Biomolecular Sciences from the University of Amsterdam. I obtained my PhD work at the Max Planck Institute for Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden, where I started to work on epithelial biology and polarity in Drosophila. During my postdoc at UC Berkeley I investigated epigenetic regulation of tumor growth by Polycomb proteins. In 2011 I started my Emmy Noether research group at the Ludwig Maximilians University Munich. In 2016 we moved to the Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg where I became a Full Professor in 2022.

Ananth V Maya (he/him)

I graduated with an integrated BS-MS dual degree in Biological Science from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in 2019. During my master’s thesis in Jishy Varghese’s lab, I try to investigate the role of Drosophila Insulin signaling in tracheal development. Immediately after graduating, I moved to Germany to join the International Max Planck Research School for Immunology, Epigenetics, and Metabolism graduate school in Freiburg. The same year after my lab rotations, I joined our Classen lab to start my doctoral research in tissue regeneration. My research focuses on investigating metabolic reprogramming associated with tissue regeneration using Drosophila. Outside lab hours, I do learn and experiment with cooking. During weekends, I travel, do nature photography and watch many movies and series. And recently, I started my swimming lessons, thanks to people in the lab.

Liyne Nogay (she/her)

I graduated with a B.Sc. degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Middle East Technical University (METU, Turkey) in 2017 and an M.Sc. degree in Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering from Sabancı University (Turkey) in 2020. Later on, I moved to Germany as a PhD student of the International Max Planck Research School for Immunobiology, Epigenetics, and Metabolism and joined Classen lab in 2020. My doctoral study focuses on the characterization of nuclear adaptations to tissue damage using Drosophila wing imaginal discs. In my free time I enjoy swimming, reading, and watching series.

Lara Heckmann (she/her)

I studied molecular biotechnology at the University of Heidelberg, which included several research internships in the fields of molecular biology, bioinformatics and biophysics. After my master’s thesis on cell polarization and mechano-sensing mechanisms, I worked for one year in the group of computational pathology at the University Hospital of Frankfurt and gained new insights in python programming and machine-learning based image analysis. In 2022 I luckily joined Anne’s lab as a PhD student of the International Max Planck Research School for Immunobiology, Epigenetics, and Metabolism. My doctoral study focuses on cell-affinity and mechanics of epithelial cells at somatic-germline interfaces. Outside the lab, you can find me either under water with snorkel and puck, dancing around or at a crime dinner table with friends.

Anna Frey (she/her)

I received my B.Sc. degree in Biology and completed my M.Sc. in Applied Biosciences at the University of Freiburg. During my bachelor’s I had the chance to travel to Ecuador for an ecological internship. For my master’s thesis I joined the Classen Lab and started to investigate the role of Toll receptors in intra-epithelial tumor suppression. Keen on further continuing my project I was luckily able to stay in Anne’s lab and am currently focusing on functions of Toll receptors and NFκB signaling during intra-epithelial defenses against mis-specified cells. Besides working in the lab, I enjoy most things that involve colors and crafting, reading and music, or trying out new spices and ingredients in the kitchen.

Laurin Ernst (he/him)

I received my B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Regensburg in 2020 and my M.Sc. in Genetics and Developmental Biology from the University of Freiburg in 2023. During my Master’s thesis, I had the opportunity to conduct research in Anne Classen’s lab and stayed in the lab as a research assistant, which laid the foundation for my current focus as a PhD student. In 2024 I joined the International Max-Planck Research School for Immunobiology, Epigenetics and Metabolism. My PhD research focuses on how tissues recognize and eliminate cells with an aberrant identity, with particular emphasis on the role of various surface molecules in this process. Outside of academia, I enjoy spending time hiking, camping or just relaxing with a good movie/series or video game.