I. Origins
I was born in a small Romanian town, bridging cultures as the son of a Transylvanian Saxon mother and a Romanian father. This dual heritage taught me early on to see connections where others saw contrast—a perspective that became the foundation of my work in genetics.
My interest in the fundamentals of life began instinctively. I was fascinated by the paradox of nature: that every living thing is simultaneously unique and deeply interconnected.
II. The Code of Life
The arrival of our family's first computer in the late 90s introduced me to a new kind of language: BASIC. The thrill of making pixels dance with code was my first lesson in logic. Decades later, I apply those same principles to decode the human genome.
Medicine was the natural convergence. At FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, I found Human Genetics—a field where computational precision meets biological mystery.
III. The Science
Genetics isn't just data; it's narrative. Every variant tells a story, every mutation has a history. My research focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders, rare tumors, and kidney diseases. Looking at the molecular level allows us to understand what makes us uniquely human.
In 2018, securing my first DFG project was a turning point. It validated my approach: combining rigorous bioinformatics with clinical insight. Awards like the GfH-Promotionspreis and the SYNLAB Award are honors, but the true reward is seeing research translate into better patient outcomes.
IV. Beyond the Lab
Nature reminds us to marvel; science teaches us to question.
When I am not analyzing genomes, I am exploring the other 71% of our planet. Freediving is my active meditation—floating alongside creatures whose lineage predates humanity. Photography allows me to capture these moments of suspended time.
My recent fascination is searching for fossil shark teeth. Holding a Megalodon tooth that is 20 million years old is a humble reminder: we are all just brief participants in a never-ending experiment.