I am doing my MSc in infection biology in the VIM lab of Katharina, but also in the Translational Diagnostics and Therapeutics lab by Daniel Paris. My project investigates saliva as a diagnostic matrix, with the overarching goal of developing a non-invasive platform to detect and differentiate respiratory pathogens. In parallel, I am exploring immune biomarkers that have the potential to differentiate between viral and bacterial infections. To achieve this, I will first establish reference PCR assays that will enable us to determine the diagnostic accuracy of saliva compared to nasopharyngeal swabs. Simultaneously, I will conduct a longitudinal candidate-based analysis of a biomarker panel, comparing their diagnostic potential in saliva versus plasma samples, using the MSD assay. Ultimately, this work aims to enable a transition away from invasive sampling while improving the early differentiation of viral and bacterial illness - reducing antimicrobial misuse that drives the global resistance crisis.
Interests
- Improving my barista skills
- Going on roadtrips :-)