Maria grew up near Karlsruhe and stayed close to home for her studies at KIT, where she completed both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in biology, focusing first on neurobiology and later on molecular biology. Throughout her studies, microscopy became the part of biology she enjoyed most, giving her a way to actually see things that otherwise remain rather abstract. Now a PhD student, she gets to take her love for microscopy further while investigating the structural organization of gene activation during cell differentiation, using fluorescent labeling and expansion microscopy for super-resolution imaging.
Outside the lab, Maria enjoys hiking with her dog, Winston, often exploring scenic trails that lead to old castles. She also loves visiting museums, especially those with dinosaur exhibits because her fascination with prehistoric creatures never went extinct.
