People

Shuang Cao

Postdoc. Shuang obtained her PhD from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, where she studied transcriptional regulation of epithelial resilience. Her PhD project focused on using advanced genomic technologies, including single-cell CRISPRi screenings and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to understand the function of cell-type specific transcription factors. She joined the Department of Functional Genetics in May 2026, where she will apply her expertise in single cell genomics to understand how single tissue progenitor cells proliferate and develop lineages over long periods of time. Her research interests span both cell biology and bioinformatics. Outside the lab, she is an animal lover who enjoys spending time in nature and with her two cats.

Ute Ipe

Technician. Ute was born in the Münsterland region and completed her MTLA training in Münster. She began her career in 1999 at the Human Genetics Institute at the UKM, and one year later she joined Dietmar Vestweber‘s group at the ZMBE. When Dietmar Vestweber became founding Director of the Max Planck Institute in Münster, Ute moved with him. Following his retirement in December 2024, Ute transitioned to the Department of Functional Genetics.
Her main areas of expertise include biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, histology and microscopy – all explored together with many colorful and diverse lab mates.
Outside the lab, Ute has many interests. She enjoys traveling – but not too much – relaxing in her own garden is just as lovely. Meeting up with friends and heading out on the city center is another favorite pastime. She also enjoys sports (both playing and watching), music, DIY projects around the house and garden, and most of all, spending quality time with her family.

Bhavya Joshi

PhD student. Bhavya completed her BS-MS dual degree in Biology at IISER (Mohali – India). During her master’s thesis, she worked in mechanisms of vesicular trafficking, where she characterized the phosphorylation status of a novel sorting nexin protein and studied how this modification affects its subcellular localization. She joined the Department of Functional Genetics as a PhD student in February 2026, where she will investigate the role of non-canonical Notch signaling in arterialization. Outside the lab, she enjoys reading, going for walks on a good day, watching movies, and crocheting.

Birgit Kempe

Technician. After completing her training as a pharmaceutical technical assistant, Birgit gained several years of practical experience working in a pharmacy. In April 2003, she joined the research group of Dr. Britta Engelhardt in the department of Prof. Dr. Dietmar Vestweber at the Max Planck Institute. There, she quickly expanded her technical expertise, learning a wide range of advanced laboratory methods.
After Britta Engelhardt’s departure from Münster, Birgit remained a member of the department. Over the years, she has built experience in cell culture, experimental cell biology, genotyping, and protein biochemistry.
Birgit is married and has two children. In her free time, she enjoys cycling with her family and spending quality time with friends and loved ones. Whether it's sharing a good meal or playing games together, she values the joy of connection and togetherness.

Xuanyi Li

PhD student. Xuanyi did his bachelor studies in biological sciences at the SUSTech (Shenzhen – China) and a master in computational biology and single cell analysis at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. He joined the Department of Functional Genetics as a PhD student in February 2026. His project main goal is to combine single-cell and other omics methods to better understand how Notch regulates cell-fate decisions and patterns of gene expression. Outside of research, he enjoys staying active and doing exercise. He particularly enjoys ball sports, and is always happy to play basketball, soccer, or badminton.

Hannah Lindner

Administrative Assistant. After completing her training as a foreign-language correspondent and a translator, Hannah worked as a secretary and later as a customer consultant in the private sector. Alongside her work, she successfully completed commercial courses in office management, business administration as well as economics. She joined the Department of Functional Genetics in December 2025, where she assists with all administrative and organisational matters.

Marika Meyer zu Brickwedde

Technician. Marika completed her training as a medical lab technician in Gelsenkirchen and afterwards started to work at the Medical Polyclinic in Münster and Bonn. Since 1998 she worked for Prof. Dietmar Vestweber, first at the ZMBE in Münster and since 2004 at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine. She was mainly active in the field of molecular biology.
With the retirement of Prof. Dietmar Vestweber, she moved to Rui Benedito’s Department of Functional Genetics in 2025.
Outside of the lab she enjoys sports, reading, gardening and spending time with friends and family.

Tanja Möller

Technician. Tanja comes from the beautiful Emsland region. She completed her training as a medical technical assistant in Stade, followed by five and a half years of work in a diagnostic laboratory in Hamburg. In 1999, she joined the research group of Dietmar Vestweber at the Institute of Cell Biology (ZMBE) in Münster. She later relocated with him to the newly established Max Planck Institute, where he founded the Department of Vascular Cell Biology in 2001 and retired in 2025. Tanja is now continuing her work in Rui Benedito’s group in the Department of Functional Genetics.
Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets, gardening, and creatively redesigning her home.

Astrid F. Nottebaum

Senior Scientist. Astrid studied Biochemistry at the University of Bielefeld and received her Diploma in 2002. She joined the group of Prof. Dietmar Vestweber at the ZMBE in Münster to complete her PhD in 2006 investigating mechanisms of cell contact regulation in the endothelium. After her PhD she stayed in Dietmar Vestweber’s group and moved together with him to the newly founded Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine to continue her research on blood vessel stability and vascular permeability control as a PostDoc. Finding her passion in vascular biology research, she finally became a staff scientist. With Dietmar Vestweber’s retirement at the end of 2024, she now continues her work in the new Department of Functional Genetics.
In her free time Astrid loves spending time with her lively family, undertaking outdoor activities and living on the countryside.

Dyuti Saha

Postdoc. Dyuti obtained a PhD from the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem - Bangalore, India), where she studied cellular mechanisms underlying wound healing and fibrosis. Her major project focused on understanding the role of vasculopathy in skin fibrosis. She joined the Department of Functional Genetics as a postdoc in February 2026, to further pursue her interest in vascular biology and related diseases. Her current research focuses on using advanced genetic models to investigate vascular ageing and atherosclerosis. She has expertise in mouse models, cell biology, and imaging. Outside the lab, she enjoys cooking, reading, and going for walks.

Peter Schulze Niehoff

Technician. Peter completed his BTA in Osnabrück, and started his carreer as a biological technician in a laboratory for environmental analysis. In 2002, he joined the department of Vascular Cell Biology at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine headed by Dietmar Vestweber, where he has been mainly responsible for management of mouse lines and genotyping.
With Dietmar's retirement in 2025 he moved to the new department of Functional Genetics led by Rui Benedito.
Peter spends his free time with his family, he enjoys kayaking and motorcycling, as well as taking care of house and garden.