Senior Researcher at Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Austria (full-time);
Senior Researcher at Institute of Radiology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Germany (part-time)
Education summary
10.2014 - 07.2018 - PhD in medical imaging at Université Paris Sud, Paris, France (thesis on “Characterisation of the dystrophic muscle by 23Na NMR and 1H NMR T2 spectrum”);
02.2012 - 04.2014 - MSc, Bioinformatics and Molecular Bioengineering passed with high distinction at Graz University of Technology, Austria;
10.2008 - 02.2012 - BSc, Biomedical Engineering at Graz University of Technology, Austria
Career summary
I am a senior scientist with extensive expertise in advanced MRI techniques applied to neuromuscular and neurological disorders. Since 2025, I have been establishing a research group for neuromuscular imaging at the Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Austria.
From 2022 to 2025, I was a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany, where I developed and evaluated MRI methods to characterise rare muscle diseases, including Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies and facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), supported by my own DFG research grant.
In 2021, I served as project manager and data scientist at the Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité Medical Faculty, Germany, where I led the suMus tele-physiotherapy platform for neuromuscular diseases. In this role, I collaborated closely with patient advocacy groups and a digital health start-up, gaining valuable experience at the interface of clinical research, patient engagement, and digital innovation.
My international research experience also includes a postdoctoral fellowship at NYU Langone Health (2019–2020), USA, where I applied advanced MRI methods to study mild traumatic brain injury and multiple sclerosis.
Across these roles, I have developed strong expertise in translational imaging research, data science, and interdisciplinary project leadership, with a focus on advancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for neuromuscular disorders.
What is the personal or professional achievement you’re most proud of?
The achievement I am most proud of is securing a permanent research position at the Medical University of Graz, which has allowed me to establish the department’s first dedicated research focus on neuromuscular imaging. After completing my PhD at the Institut de Myologie in Paris and gaining extensive international experience through fellowships in Germany (Erlangen, Charité) and the USA (NYU), I was able to bring the expertise and knowledge I gained abroad back to Austria.
Although I have only been in Graz for seven months, I am actively building my own research group, securing collaborations, and laying the foundation for innovative imaging approaches that have not been explored locally before. Building this group from the ground up, while shaping a novel research direction, represents both a personal milestone and a professional accomplishment.
Why did you first join the WMS?
I joined the World Muscle Society because it is an internationally recognised leader in neuromuscular research and collaboration. During my PhD at the Institut de Myologie in Paris, I had my first opportunity to present my neuroimaging work at the WMS annual Congress, and since then I have attended whenever possible. I particularly value the diversity of attendees, from clinicians and physiotherapists to MR researchers and biologists. Last year, I joined the WMS Sustainability Committee and currently serve as its chair, contributing to shaping the future of WMS.
What is your goal in joining the Executive Board?
My goal in joining the Executive Board is to broaden my engagement within WMS beyond my current role as chair of the Sustainability Committee. I hope to gain deeper insight into the Society’s decision-making processes and actively contribute to shaping its policies and strategic direction. I am also committed to bringing forward the sustainability initiatives and strategies developed within our committee to ensure they are integrated into the broader vision of WMS. In this context, I aim to promote an approach to sustainability that combines ecological responsibility with social sustainability, emphasising equity, access, and community benefit.
