| | |  | | NEWSLETTER ::: NO. 18 ::: JULY 2019 | | THE RIGHT MIX OF RESEARCH AND TEACHING: IDEAL FOR FOSTERING THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION | | Christian Stockmann has been Assistant Professor for Molecular Medicine at the Institute of Anatomy at the University of Zurich since 2017. | With his research group, the 41-year-old German aims to decipher how immune-cell-driven angiogenesis influences organ remodelling during tissue hypoxia. Funding sources for his research projects include the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Swiss Cancer League, and the Swiss Cancer Research Foundation. Within the NCCR Kidney.CH he leads a human/clinical and cooperative project (HCP) on the role of macrophages in adrenal gland homeostasis and blood pressure control, with Vartan Kurtcuoglu, Felix Beuschlein and Jan Loffing.
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YOU’VE MOVED AROUND QUITE A BIT PROFESSIONALLY. FROM ESSEN TO JAPAN, TO THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO AND LATER TO THE EUROPEAN HOSPITAL GEORGES POMPIDOU IN PARIS. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO ZURICH?
The University of Zurich is a leading player in European research and has a lot to offer in terms of research infrastructure and funding opportunities and, most importantly, has an outstanding network of experts who are leaders in their field. Having seen many different places, I must say that Zurich provides a unique and one of the most dynamic research environments in Europe and even beyond. It is a privilege to work here. And although I might be a bit spoiled by California and Paris, I would say that the quality of life in Switzerland and particularly in Zurich is quite high.
YOU WORK IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE WITH FOCUS ON TISSUE FIBROSIS? WHY DID YOU SPECIALIZE IN THAT?
As a postdoc I was initially researching cancer biology. Then I accidentally came across the topic ‘organ fibrosis’. There are quite some similarities between malignant tumours and fibrotic organs. I discovered, however, that the pathophysiology of tissue fibrosis was not at all understood and that this topic was, and still is, not well researched despite its huge clinical relevance. Since my postdoc supervisor had given me a lot of freedom, I decided to dig into the molecular mechanisms of fibrosis rather than tackling this problem from the clinical side.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT FOCUS OF YOUR RESEARCH?
In addition to our focus on immunology and vascular biology I’m studying, with my research group, the mechanisms of fibrosis after organ damage and inflammation. We are interested in the organ-specific functions of the immune system that contribute to organ and whole-body homeostasis in the absence of severe inflammation and under steady-state, physiological conditions.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT DOES THE NCCR KIDNEY.CH OFFER YOU? WHAT DO YOU APPRECIATE IN PARTICULAR?
What I appreciate the most is Kidney.CH’s multidisciplinary nature, the complementarity of expertise, and the spirit of cooperation. Within the NCCR I can talk with experts on kidney physiology and nephrology, in vivo imaging, or endocrinology, all of which are not really my core expertise.
In exchange, I can contribute with my knowledge of immunology and vascular biology.
WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS?
Well, as all scientists, I want to further develop our projects and make exciting findings. Besides that, one major goal, in addition to international cooperation, is to further expand the collaboration between the University and ETH Zurich. Most importantly, though, I would like to promote the careers of young researchers in my lab. I received a lot of support from my previous supervisors and I would like to do the same for the people in my lab.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO BALANCE RESEARCH AND TEACHING?
Many researchers consider the absence of teaching as ideal, but after having worked in positions without any teaching for years, I am convinced that this is not true. It is, indeed, the mix of teaching basics to the next generation of MDs and scientists while pursuing cutting-edge research in the lab that is the vital ingredient of a successful research career. Fortunately, here at my institute - the Institute of Anatomy - we have found a pretty good balance between teaching and research.
LASTLY, TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE.
My partner Anna, a cell biologist, and I have a son and a daughter, 6 and 15 years old, who of course deserve, most of our spare time. Other than that, I enjoy sports, such as running, swimming or soccer, and I love to catch up with longtime friends who go back all the way to med school or even kindergarten.
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| | | | Kidney - Control of Homeostasis | | is a Swiss research initiative, headquartered at University of Zurich, which brings together leading specialists in experimental and clinical nephrology and physiology from the universities of Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, and Zurich, and corresponding university hospitals. |
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