Team
Joshua Frenster
PI
Obtained his BSc at Jacobs University Bremen in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Moved to New York for his Masters and PhD under Prof. Dimitris Placantonakis, studying adhesion G protein-coupled receptors in the brain malignancy glioblastoma. Joined Prof. Alfonso Martinez Arias in Barcelona as an EMBO fellow and later LaCaixa Junior Leader to learn about the world of Gastruloids. Is now leading his own Emmy-Noether group at the University of Freiburg.
Musician, geek, coffee lover, and enthusiastic hiker.
(Prefers being called Joshi)
Joshua.frenster (at)pharmakol.uni-freiburg.de
Angélica Luna
Lab Manager
My scientific path has taken me through different areas of neuroscience, but I have always gravitated towards questions in developmental biology. During my PhD research at Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg I used CRISPR-edited human embryonic stem cells and brain organoids to investigate the role of SOX11 in human neurodevelopment.
I joined the Frenster Lab as Lab Manager, where I combine laboratory management with hands-on research and contribute my experience in stem cell culture, microscopy, and developmental biology.
I enjoy watching movies, being outdoors, and having long walks through the forest.
angelica.luna (at)pharmakol.uni-freiburg.de
Silvia Tempesta
PhD student
Obtained my BSc at Sapienza University of Rome before moving to Padua for my Master's in Medical Biotechnology, where I fell in love with stem cell biology while establishing the first patient-derived brain organoid model of a LSDs. I'm now joining the Frenster Lab as a PhD student to dive deeper into developmental processes and cell competition, following that same passion for stem cells one step further.
Outside the lab, I'm a food lover and self-declared coffee addict. Never one to skip a nap when the chance arises, or a good gym session to make up for it.
silvia.tempesta (at)pharmakol.uni-freiburg.de
The cells
Our cells are the center of it all. While spanning the scales from molecular mechanisms to organismal development, cells remain the main actor in our story!
You?
Looking forward to find out!