Project Description

Biography:

Jakob’s interest in molecular biology was initiated during a semester abroad in Trondheim. Following his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, he explored the translational potential of research at the Medical University of Graz, with a focus on metabolomics. Projects addressing aging, donor-organ distribution, and personalized medicine, gave him a first impression of the direct impact that research can have. Motivated to better understand the causes of disease, Jakob joined the Master’s program in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Heidelberg. Internships at the DKFZ, and his Master’s thesis on the immune system in malaria vectors, allowed him to bridge molecular biology with disease-relevant outcomes. In particular, his time at the Swiss-TPH with Prof. Jennifer Keiser left a lasting impression regarding scientific integrity and the responsibility of research in advancing societal health. Seeking experience outside academia, Jakob completed an internship at Novartis, contributing to oncology drug development by exploring strategies to manipulate cancer targets. Ultimately, this combination of translational research, clinical relevance, and the breadth of the field solidified his decision to pursue a PhD in oncology.

Joining Mohamed Bentires-Alj’s group therefore represents a natural next step. Jakob aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying resistance to current breast cancer therapies and how these mechanisms influence metastasis formation. The opportunity to advance research that benefits society is a key motivation for Jakob. He sees AdaptMet as a prime example of a collaborative environment that overcomes traditional boundaries, fostering growth among young researchers while being guided by experts to tackle complex questions in metastasis biology.