Team
At the Gebhard Lab, we bring together a diverse and interdisciplinary team of experienced cardiologists, oncologists, (molecular) biologists, and imaging experts. We also host a wide range of master and doctoral students with backgrounds in medicine and the life sciences. We commit to providing equal opportunities while training the next generation of clinicians and researchers.
The Gebhard Group
Cathérine Gebhard, MD, PhD
Senior Physician/Research Group Leader
Cathérine’s key areas of expertise include cardiac imaging, interventional cardiology, and vascular biology as well as basic and translational research in cardiovascular gender medicine. Her vision is to extend the knowledge on female cardiovascular medicine and to develop preventive measures specifically tailored for women and men. Cathérine studied medicine and obtained her MD degree at the University of Tübingen (DE) and the University of Western Ontario (Canada). She completed her training in Internal Medicine and Cardiology at the University Hospital Zurich and the Cantonal Hospitals Baden and Winterthur (CH). She then specialized in Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Imaging at the Imperial College London (UK) and the Montreal Heart Institute (Canada) where she also completed her PhD in molecular imaging. In 2016 she started her own research group in the field of Cardiovascular Gender Medicine as an SNSF Professor at the University of Zurich. She also held a joint appointment as an interventional cardiologist at the Medical University of Vienna. Between 2016 and 2022 she was president of the commission of Sex- and Gender in Medicine (SGiM) at the University of Zurich and founding program director of the CAS in Sex- and Gender-Specific Medicine. In 2022 Catherine started a new position as a senior physician in Interventional Cardiology at the University Hospital Inselspital Bern, where she currently focuses on implementing gender-specific medicine into clinical routine.
Pubmed ORCID 0000-0001-7240-5822
Susan Bengs, PhD
Deputy Group Leader Basic Research and Management
Susan did her B.Sc. in molecular biotechnology and a holds a diploma in biology from the Technical University of Dresden (DE). She then completed her PhD studies in Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University Hospital Zurich (CH), where she identified biomarkers for early colorectal cancer detection. After her PhD, Susan took on a new challenge as deputy group leader at the Gebhard Lab. Here, she not only develops her research and interests, but is also in charge of organizational and administrative tasks and the supervision of young scientists in molecular biology, cardiac imaging, and clinical studies.
Pubmed ORCID 0000-0003-2424-3894
Alexia Rossi, MD, PhD
Deputy Group Leader Clinical Studies
Alexia received her medical degree in 2004 and her specialty in diagnostic imaging in 2008 from the University of Trieste (IT). Later, Alexia obtained her PhD in advanced cardiovascular imaging from Erasmus MC University Medical Centre in Rotterdam (NL). Thanks to a training grant from the European Society of Cardiology, she then moved to London where she further specialized in cardiac computed tomography (CT) at the Centre for Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging at the Barts Heart Centre (UK). At that time, Alexia was appointed assistant professor in diagnostic imaging at Humanitas University in Milan and returned to Italy. Alexia has consolidated experience in cardiac CT that she not only applies as an as active member of the EACVI Certification and Accreditation Committee, but also in her current position as clinical postdoctoral fellow in the Gebhard Lab. Alexia's research is focused on understanding mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases through novel, non-invasive imaging modalities. Alexia loves travelling, «good» instant coffee, and Christmas time.
Pubmed ORCID 0000-0001-6845-1199
Karin Peer
Administrative Assistant
Karin worked in industry before starting her position at University of Zurich (CH) in 2019. She supports our team as an administrative assistant, enriching the Gebhard Lab with her passion and cordial attitude. In her leisure time, she loves being around her family and friends, outdoor-activities and handicrafts.
Vera Regitz-Zagrosek, MD, PhD
Guest Professor
Vera is the founding director of the Berlin Institute for Gender in Medicine (GIM) at Charité University Medicine (DE). From 2011 to 2018, she was the coordinator for the partner site Berlin in the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), a centre of excellence in German cardiovascular research. Her research focusses on sex and gender differences in cardiovascular diseases, in basic and clinical science and public health. She is the founding president of the German and International Society for Gender Medicine, and was twice, in 2012 and 2018, the coordinator for the European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for cardiovascular diseases in pregnancy. In 2018, she received the First-Class Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for her achievements in gender medicine. As a pioneer in gender medicine in Germany, Vera advises the Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich (CH) on the implementation of knowledge for sex- and gender-specific differences in medicine. She is currently also a visiting professor and senior consultant at the University of Zurich (CH) where she supports the Gebhard Lab and the implementation of sex- and gender-specific knowledge in research, teaching, and medical practice.
Pubmed ORCID 0000-0002-3566-3467
Valerie Treyer, PhD
Senior scientist, saving angel and all-rounder
Valerie is a neuroscientist and senior scientist at the Department of Nuclear Medicine (USZ, CH) and at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine (UZH, CH). She has been conducting molecular and multimodal neuroimaging studies since 1998 and has strong experience in Magnetic Resonance (MR) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging technology. Valerie has also set-up and co-authored various imaging studies with colleagues from different areas of expertise ranging from cardiology, oncology to neuroscience. Her current research focus is on healthy aging. Valerie is always thinking outside the box and brings together brain, heart and hand not only in theory but also in practice.
Pubmed ORCID 0000-0002-4584-3031
Atanas Todorov, MD, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow / Biostatistics
Atanas is a physician scientist with experience in all phases of translation from bench to bedside, including primary in vitro and in vivo models, conceptualization, study design, graft preparation, implantation, and follow-up and data analysis in first-in-man/proof of concept trials in patients. His particular expertise lies in tendon, cartilage and bone biology and regeneration. Throughout his scientific and clinical career, he has become more and more involved in statistical computation and image analysis, leading him to a part-time postdoc in biostatistics in support of the Gebhard Lab team. His other focus is on state-of-the-art digitalization of medical work and healthcare institutions at Arcondis (CH).
Pubmed ORCID 0000-0002-1225-4302
Ahmed Haider, PhD
Research Fellow / Radio-Pharmacy
Achi (Ahmed) studied pharmacology and obtained his PhD degree in neuroimaging at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ, CH) in 2018. For his work on the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders, Achi was awarded the prestigious ETH Silver Medal. He is a passionate scientist and loves a vigorous scientific exchange. Having gained exceptional insights into clinical research at the University Hospital Zurich (CH) over the last two years, he is currently moving to Boston, where he will be working at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital (U.S.).
Pubmed ORCID 0000-0002-5204-4473
Michael Fiechter, MD, PhD
Clinical Research Fellow
Michael is chief of service and board-certified neurosurgeon specialized in spine surgery and spinal cord surgery at the Swiss Paraplegic Center in Nottwil (CH). He is also a passionate natural scientist. Thanks to his double degree in medicine and natural sciences, Michael combines experimental, translational and clinical research in functional neurovascular imaging to investigate the neuro-hematopoietic-vascular axis and its influence on cardiovascular outcome. Despite his intensive clinical and research commitments, Michael is the father of three lovely children, and has a passion for karate and endurance sports.
Pubmed ORCID 0000‐0002‐7293‐0704
Muriel Grämer, PhD
Research Fellow / Pharmacy
Muriel studied pharmaceutical sciences at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ, CH) and obtained her PhD in molecular pharmacology for her research on GPCR-signaling in the context of cardiovascular disease. This was followed by employments in public pharmacies consulting patients and at the Federal Office of Public Health ensuring patient access to affordable pharmaceuticals. Muriel recently found her way back into research and joined the Gebhard Lab.
Nicola Lott, PhD
Research Fellow / Writing Specialist
Nicola studied Biology at the University of Constance (DE) and obtained her PhD in 2011 at the University of Zurich (CH). Her PhD studies were part of a cooperative initiative between the Cardiovascular Research Group and the Institute of Physiology (UZH, CH), allowing her to investigate mechanisms of obesity-induced endothelial dysfunction from different angles. After her PhD, Nicola joined the Hematology Medical Affairs Department of the pharmaceutical company Celgene GmbH (CH). In that time, she obtained a profound expertise in medical writing, coordination of clinical trials as well as development of scientific strategies. In her current position in the Gebhard Lab, Nicola is focusing on data analysis and presentation but also manuscript and grant proposal writing.
Alexander Meisel, MD
Clinical Research Fellow
Alex‘s focus is on oncology, cardio-oncology and cancer imaging. After his medical studies at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (DE), he moved to Zurich to continue his clinical education in Medical Oncology at University Hospital Zurich (CH). Alex has also worked at the Stadtspital Waid as an attending physician and at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ, CH) to study novel Positron Emission Tomography (PET)-tracers in ovarian and lung cancer. He believes that precision oncology should not just be a long-term dream for the future, but part of the current cutting-edge of medicine. Alex seeks out the best possible treatment options for his patients and passionately implements novel imaging and sequencing techniques into daily clinical practice.
Pubmed ORCID 0000-0003-2422-1281
Geoffrey Iain Warnock, PhD
Research Fellow / Imaging Specialist
Geoff specializes in quantification of biomedical images and splits his time between industry and academia. He has worked in imaging for nearly 15 years, with experience in both small animals and humans, and now focuses on fully quantitative positron Emission Tomography (PET) with blood-based kinetic modelling. He was involved in the development and evaluation of 18F-UCB-H for synaptic vesicle protein 2A, an exciting new target for imaging neurodegeneration, and more recently in first-in-man studies with 18F-PSS232 for mGluR5. On top of his roles in Bruker’s image analysis software branch PMOD Technologies (CH)and Swisstrace GmbH (CH), Geoff is proud to be part of the Gebhard Lab. Out of the office, Geoff loves to be on the move in the mountains, either mountain biking or ski-touring.
Hazem Ahmed, PhD
Reserach Fellow / Radiopharmacist
Hazem is a pharmacist by training with a background in Quality Management and drug development. He completed his PhD in 2020 at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ, CH) in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a concentration in Neuroimaging and Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry. His work spanned the fields of basic and applied pharmaceutical sciences from development of new labeling methods of complex biomolecules to brain tracers development and clinical translation. As of now, he joined the GebhardLab as a fellow and is stepping with anticipation into the field of cardiac imaging and clinical studies.
ORCID 0000-0001-7047-5202
Angela Portmann, M.Sc.
PhD Student
Angela (Angie) holds both B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Biology from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ, CH). She is currently pursuing her PhD in Biomedicine at the University of Zurich. Her research is focused on the identification of cardiovascular sex determinants for left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure. She uses state-of-the-art imaging modalities including small animal cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Angela also applies a broad range of molecular biology techniques to assess signal transduction pathways. Outside of the lab, she loves trying new recipes and food in her kitchen. Books are her constant companions and a good book is never missing from her bag.
Nidaa Mikail, MD
PhD Student
Nidaa is a nuclear medicine physician with a keen interest in cardiovascular imaging and always driven to learn new things. The excellent reputation of Uniersity Hospital of Zurich (CH), a stone's throw from his native Alsace, drew him to Zurich. Here, he is currently completing his PhD in our team. After graduating from the medical school of Strasbourg (FR), Nidaa completed his fellowship in Paris at Bichat University Hospital (FR). He then held a position as a senior consultant in both Bichat and Beaujon Hospitals near Paris. When he is in the office, you should never leave a box of sweets within his reach unless you want to get rid of it. In his leisure time, he enjoys music (an oud and guitar aficionado) and learning about the subtle differences between Dativ and Genitiv and between standard and Swiss German.
Pubmed ORCID 0000-0003-4896-1428
Master and Doctoral Students
Isabelle Glarner, pract. med.
MEDICAL DOCTORAL STUDENT
Thesis project: Exploring the Correlation Between Neuronal Stress Response and Coronary Inflammation
Noemi Sablonier, pract. med.
MEDICAL DOCTORAL STUDENT
Thesis project: Exploring the Predictive Value of an Enhanced Amygdalar Activity on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Women and Men
Dominik Sager, pract. med.
MEDICAL DOCTORAL STUDENT
Thesis project: Exploring Predictors of Enhanced Neuronal Stress Responses in Cardiovascular Disease
Nadia Hamouda, pract. med.
Medical Doctoral Student
Thesis project: Development of a Gender-sensitive Risk Assessment Tool to Predict Short- and Long-term Outcomes of COVID-19
Claudia Sütsch, pract. med.
Medical Doctoral Student
Thesis project: Influence of Gender on COVID-19 Disease
Flavia Diggelmann, pract. med.
Medical Doctoral Student
Thesis project: Neuronal Stress-Response in Female and Male Patients with Heart Failure
Adriana Vinzens
Medical Master Student
Thesis project: Impact of Perivalvular Inflammation on Long-term Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Alessia Delcò
Medical Master Student
Thesis project: Long-term Prognostic Value of Enhanced Neuronal Stress Responses in Women and Men with Cardiovascular Disease
Chiara Henze
Medical Master Student
Thesis project: Influence of Socio-cultural Gender on the Course of COVID-19
Arnaud Dussault-Cloutier
Medical Master Student
Thesis project: Influence of the Sex Hormones Estrogen and Testosterone on the Course of COVID-19
Mina Pasqualini
Medical Master Student
Thesis project: Gender Differences in the Long-term Effects of COVID-19
Nastaran Sang Bastian
Medical Master Student
Thesis project: Predictors of an Increased Amygdalar Metabolic Activity in Cardiovascular Patients
Yves Gou Pargätzi
Medical Master Student
Thesis project: Association Between Vascular Inflammation and Epicardial Fat Volume in Women
Alumni
Gioia Zoe Epprecht
Medical Master Student
Thesis project: Age- and Sex-dependent Amygdala Metabolic Activity Pattern
Dominik Etter, B.Sc.
Research Assistant
Nik is a master's student in interdisciplinary natural sciences at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ, CH). Niks work is focused on the physical and biological bases of biomedical imaging. As a research assistant at the Gebhard Lab, Nik works primarily in the field of image evaluation, data collection, and their automation. In his spare time, he is often seen in the kitchen, enjoys reading original science fiction novels and playing speedminton.
Pubmed ORCID 0000-0002-7060-6089
Anna Luisa Beeler
Medical Master Student
Thesis project: Association Between Low-grade Inflammation and Supernormal Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (snLVEF)
Lilian Mayrhofer, B.Sc.
Research Assistant
Project: Impact of Sex and Gender on COVID-19 Outcomes
Elvira Krämer, M.Sc.
Research Assistent
Project: Impact of Sex and Gender on COVID-19 Outcomes
Mariano Paredes Heck, B.Sc.
Research Assistant
Project: Impact of Sex and Gender on COVID-19 Outcomes
Mina Qadirie, B.Sc.
Research Assistant
Project: Impact of Sex and Gender on COVID-19 Outcomes
Livia Anna Krüger, B.Sc.
Research Assistant
Project: Impact of Sex and Gender on COVID-19 Outcomes
Núria Zellweger
Research Assistant
Project: Impact of Sex and Gender on COVID-19 Outcomes
Winandus Wijnen, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow / Writing Specialist
Curiosity drove Wino from an active research career to academic writing and innovation management. Nevertheless, Wino has remained in the academic world and joined our team. With his extraordinary wealth of experience from his PhD times – where he studied the molecular mechanisms underlying heart failure as well as inflammatory responses in myocarditis – and his powerful mindset to develop and refine state-of-the-art ideas, and build up manuscripts and proposals, it is not surprising that he has his own successful company WiWright.
Pubmed ORCID 0000-0002-3513-3618
Marie-Louise Sieber, M.Sc.
Research Assistant
Project: Impact of Sex and Gender on COVID-19 Outcomes
Katharina Schade
Medical Master Student
Thesis project: Predictive Value of Myocardial 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) Uptake for Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients Undergoing Oncologic Positron Emission Tomography
Dominik Etter
Interdisciplinary Bachelor Student
Thesis project: Does Quantification of Fat Attenuation Index add Prognostic Value as an Adjunct to State of the Art Cardiovascular Imaging?
Andrea Roggo
Medical Master Student
Thesis project: Assessment of Osteoporosis Markers and Brain Metabolic Activity as a Sex-specific Approach for Risk Prediction in Women and Men Undergoing Non-invasive Cardiac Imaging
Sandro Fröhlich, B.Sc.
Pharmacy Master Student
Thesis project: Age-dependent Remodelling of the Female Heart – Protective or Detrimental? Role of Age, Sex Hormones, and Myocardial Infarction on the Cardiac Function and the Expression of Genes Involved in the Remodelling of the Heart
Monika Marędziak, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Project: Age-dependent Remodelling of the Female Heart – Protective or Detrimental?
Dominik Etter
Student
Term paper: Age-dependent Myocardial Fibrotic Remodelling – Evaluation by CMR-derived T1 Mapping
Angela Portmann, B.Sc.
Biological Master Student
Thesis project: Age-dependent Remodelling of the Female Heart – Protective or Detrimental? Exploring the Role of Endocrine Factors and Cardiac Sympathetic Modulation
Christine Lohmann, M.Sc.
Research Coordinator
Project: Age-dependent Remodelling of the Female Heart – Protective or Detrimental?
Niels Kirk, M.Sc.
PhD Student
Thesis project: Age-dependent Remodelling of the Female Heart – Protective or Detrimental? Exploring the Role of Endocrine Factors, Cardiac Sympathetic Modulation, and Gender-specific Behaviours