Jan began his studies in Medical Biology at the University of Duisburg-Essen in 2016. He completed his bachelor thesis at the Institute for Cellular Biology, developing a fluorescence-based tracking systemfor CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockouts in lymphoma cells. Continuing with his master’s degree, he focused on sepsis research at the Clinic for Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, investigating the role of glutamine metabolism and cytokine secretion in dendritic cells. Jan then joined the Institute for Molecular Oncology in Marburg, working on an organoid model for lung cancer, gaining experience in organoid biology and genetic engineering. He later returned tohis passion for immunology, joining the AG Schmidt at the Institute for Innate Immunity in Bonn in 2024, where he is currently pursuing a PhD in inflammasome research, focusing on the negative regulation of inflammasome assembly and therole of autophagy in this process.
Outside of research, Jan is passionate about balancing his many interests—whether it's a competitive chess match, an energizing run, or spending quality time with shelter dogs in need of some play and attention (for either perspective!).
