SD

Current Company

Active Motif SA

Current Focus

Making Epigenetics Accessible — Through Podcast Conversations & Tech Support

About

I am a PhD-trained scientist with a strong background in Epigenetics and nearly a decade of experience bridging the gap between life science research and strategic communication. After earning my PhD from the University of Regensburg in 2016, I joined Active Motif, where I currently serve as a Scientific Consultant and Podcast Host within the Marketing Department.

At Active Motif, I work at the intersection of science and communication — translating complex epigenetics topics for a broad audience. I initiated and produce The Epigenetics Podcasts, a podcast that features Key Opinion Leaders in the field of Epigenetics and highlights cutting-edge research. In addition to content development, I work extensively with Salesforce.com to manage customer engagement, including quote generation, case handling, dashboard reporting, and content marekting campaigns.

Driven by curiosity and a focus on optimization, I apply AI tools to enhance efficiency and clarity in both professional and personal projects. In my current role, I’ve used AI-assisted Python scripting to automate routine processes and improve team workflows. One example is a sales data analysis tool I developed for Key Account Managers, which presents performance KPIs in a clear, browser-based dashboard—supporting better strategic decisions.

As a seven-time major marathon finisher (including New York, Berlin, and London), I bring proven endurance and goal-oriented persistence to complex, long-term professional challenges. This same dedication drives my side projects, including a Python App I built to catalog and hopefully bag all peaks in the Bavarian Forest. This project combines data visualization and Python scripting with my passion for trail running and is now integrated into my personal running website, demonstrating my ability to merge technical skills with personal interests to create innovative solutions.

Latest Content

Woche 8 Recap

Liebe Baseballgemeinde, willkommen zum Rückblick auf Woche 8 in der Major League Baseball. Standings American League East Die Tampa Bay Rays (30-15, +25) stehen weiter ganz oben in der AL East, aber die Zahlen dahinter sind nicht so solide, wie der erste Platz vermuten lässt. Sie performen aktuell rund 5 Spiele über ihrem erwarteten W-L, was vor allem daran liegt, dass die letzten 7 Serien gegen die Giants, Red Sox, Twins, Guardians, 2x Blue…

Inside The Dugout - Blogposts

Epigenetic Signatures During Aging and Cancer (Alena van Bömmel)

In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Alena van Bömmel from the Biomedical Center (BMC) in Munich about her work on the development of interpretable epigenetic clocks and statistical models of epigenetic dynamics during aging, and the unique epigenetic signatures associated with various cancers, such as brain tumors or leukemias to detect powerful diagnostic markers or predictors of therapeutic response. The Interview starts with Dr. van Bömmel sharing her work on…

Epigenetics Podcast

Mein Gipfelprojekt bekommt eine neue Dimension

<p>Vor gut einem Monat ist in unseren Haushalt ein 3D-Drucker eingezogen, natürlich wird seitdem 24/7 gedruckt… Der Wunsch kam ausnahmsweise nicht von mir, sondern unser großer Sohn (6 Jahre) lag uns seit 2 Monaten in den Ohren, dass wir uns doch einen 3D-Drucker kaufen sollten. Keine Ahnung, wo er es aufgeschnappt hat, jedenfalls gaben wir diesem Wunsch letztendlich nach und holten uns einen Bambu Lab A1 3D-Drucker.</p> <p>Nach den ersten Testdrucken und nachdem wir…

raincastle.blog

Why Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) Remains a Cornerstone of Epigenetics (Epigenetics Podcast Insights - Part 1)

Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) remains a cornerstone of epigenetics because it uniquely captures in vivo protein–DNA interactions with high specificity and genome-wide scope, evolving from a low-throughput assay into a foundational technology for epigenome mapping. Decades of innovation—spanning improved fixation, fragmentation, automation, and powerful variants like ChIP-seq, CUT&RUN, re-ChIP, and ChIP-DIP—have expanded its reach to low-input, high-throughput, single-cell, and clinical applications, ensuring its continued central role in chromatin biology and precision medicine. Read the blog to…

Epigenetics Podcast Insights

Skills

On the Job

  • Customer-Centricity
  • Customer Experience
  • Digital Marketing
  • Brand Awareness

Software

  • Salesforce.com
  • Office 365
  • Visual Studio Code
  • FileMaker

Languages

  • German (native)
  • English (fluent)

Other Skills

  • Static Site Generation (11ty)
  • Nunjucks
  • Tailwind CSS
  • Python
  • AI Prompt Engineering
  • LaTeX
  • Markdown
  • Git

Soft Skills

  • Teamwork
  • Independent Work
  • Reliability
  • Intrinsically Motivated

Work

Active Motif SA

Podcast Host & Scientific Consultant
- Present

Université Laval, Québec City, Canada

Visiting Scientist
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University of Regensburg

Research Associate
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Publications

The nucleolus-associated genome is largely maintained in cellular senescence, but its chromatin composition gets remodeled

PLoS One. 2017 Jun 2;12(6):e0178821. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0178821. PMID:28575119; PMCID:PMC5456395

Quantitative Immunofluorescence Analysis of Nucleolus-Associated Chromatin

Methods Mol Biol. 2016;1455:59-69. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3792-9_5. PMID: 27576710

Analysis of histone posttranslational modifications from nucleolus-associated chromatin by mass spectrometry

Methods Mol Biol. 2014;1094:277-93. doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-706-8_22. PMID: 24162996

Education

Doctoral Candidate

Biochemistry Center Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany

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Master of Science, Biochemistry

University of Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany

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Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry

University of Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

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