Saskia Biskup, MD PhD, co-founded CeGaT GmbH in 2009. As a Human Geneticist, Research Scientist and Bioinformatician she positions herself at the interface of diagnostics, research and clinic.
During a two year scholarship sponsored by the German Research Foundation she gathered international experience at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, USA. Her own research revolves around LRRK2, a gene involved in Parkinson’s disease, and the development of new biomarkers to enable early prediction of neurodegenerative diseases. Saskia Biskup was the first to discover variations in the LRRK2 gene; LRRK2 is the gene which is most often associated with Parkinson’s Disease (Neuron 2004). She was awarded multiple international prizes for her research.
Dirk Biskup
Managing Director
Dirk Biskup, PhD, cofounded CeGaT GmbH in 2009.
After graduating from the University of Hamburg, specializing in Economics and Business Administration, Dirk Biskup worked as Scientific Assistant at the University of Bielefeld, finishing his PhD thesis on combinatorial optimization and complexity theory in 1999. At the end of 1999, Mr. Biskup left the University and took different positions within the industry.
He worked as Senior Director at Bertelsmann AG being involved in approx. 50 M&A deals. At the start of 2005, he took the position as CFO of Berryville Graphics, the largest single printing location in the United States. From 2007 to mid-2012, he was the European CFO of AEG Electric Tools Division and Managing Director of multiple European sales, logistics, and holding companies of this group. Since July 2012, he has been exclusively working for CeGaT.
Detlef Schumann
Managing Director
Dr. Detlef Schumann (PhD) studied pharmacy at the university of Regensburg, Germany. His PhD thesis was focusing at personalized stem cell therapy (regenerative medicine). He held post doc positions in Singapore (NUSTEP, NUS, NUH) and the USA (MIT, Harvard). During 10 years at DSM Biomedical he held several positions at R&D as well as Marketing & Sales. The last 6 years at DSM Biomedical he spent on market development and expansion in EU, middle east and Japan. In 2018 he started at B. Braun Aesculap as Vice President Front End Innovation. 2020 Detlef Schumann got appointed as CEO of TETEC AG. Since April 2021 he is also managing director at CeGaT GmbH.
Florian Battke
Director Development
Florian Battke, PhD, is Director of Development. He is tasked with coordinating product development. Together with his team, he develops and integrates software for genetic data analysis, for laboratory management, and to support reporting of medical findings. A second focus is on data analysis in the context of method development, in collaborative research projects, and customers’ projects.
Florian Battke studied bioinformatics at the universities of Tübingen and Uppsala, with a focus on molecular biology and genetics. During his PhD he developed computational methods for the analysis of high-throughput transcriptome data. He joined CeGaT in 2012 and in March 2017 became a member of the management team.
Jiri Ködding
Director Operations
Jiri Ködding, PhD, is Director of the Laboratory and R&D department.
He graduated from the University of Konstanz specializing in analytical spectroscopy and protein chemistry with a focus on protein crystallography. He gained extensive experience in the establishment of DNA diagnostics and next-generation sequencing technologies.
Tim Scheurenbrand
Director IT
Tim Scheurenbrand is Director IT. He is responsible for the IT infrastructure at CeGaT. Tim and his team are tasked to ensure the availability and reliability of all IT based processes and IT systems and to search for continual improvements. Another focus of his work is the facility management and the data protection coordination.
Tim Scheurenbrand studied Bioinformatics at the University of Tübingen with a focus on next-generation sequencing, genetics and IT infrastructure. His master thesis was titled “Metagenomic Pathway Analysis”.
Doreen Abakumov
Laboratory
No information available.
Benjamin Albrecht
Software Development
No information available.
Johannes Alexander
Project Management
Johannes Alexander, PhD, is working as a Project Manager at CeGaT. He coordinates customer-specific Next Generation Sequencing projects in the division/field of Research & Pharma Solutions (RPS).
Johannes Alexander studied biology at the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg. During his PhD at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), he dealt with issues relating to the spread of opportunistic microorganisms in downstream aquatic systems. Subsequently, he gained further experience as a research assistant at the Institute of Functional Interfaces at KIT in quantitative molecular biology. There he was responsible for contract-based studies and research project-related work on the subject of microbiological characterization.
Vanne Andrade Ramos
Sales
Sami Azrak
Sales
No information available.
Yannick Bantel
Laboratory
Yannick Bantel, PhD, is Head of the New Applications team (Laboratory 3) at CeGaT. The team implements new sequencing technologies and protocols in the lab and processes corresponding customer projects. A special focus of the team is on long-read and single-cell sequencing technologies. Furthermore, the team is responsible for establishing customer-specific lab protocols and workflows.
Yannick Bantel studied Technical Biology at the University of Stuttgart. During his PhD at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology in Stuttgart, he characterized virulence factors in human fungal pathogens using mRNA-sequencing. As a Postdoc at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein in Lübeck he worked with circulating tumor cells and tried to identify novel biomarkers for personalized oncology.
Andrea Becker
Data Analysis
Andrea Becker is part of the team Data Analytics at CeGaT. Her main tasks are analysis of next generation sequencing data and software development.
Andrea Becker studied Bioinformatics at the University of Tübingen. During her Diploma at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, she assessed the precision of different assembly tools which are used for the analysis of next generation sequencing data.
Andreas Behn
Human Resources
Andreas Behn works in the Human Resources Department. He is the contact person for all job candidates and coordinates the recruiting process. He takes care of personnel-related matters and manages the personnel data.
Andreas is business economist with a focus on human resources and labor law.
Nourhène Ben Hamouda
Sales
No information available.
Ana Catarina Bento
Sales
Cristina Berea
Sales Consultant
No information available.
Karolin Birkle
Development - Pharma Solutions
Dr. rer. nat. Karolin Birkle is part of the team “Development – Pharma Solutions”. Their responsibilities include advising clients on the use of Next-Generation Sequencing in clinical studies, and support them during the planning phase of their projects. Furthermore, the team is responsible for advancing development of CeGaT’s product portfolio for clinical and pharmaceutical studies. Karolin is also specialized in GCLP compliance at CeGaT.
Karolin Birkle studied chemical biology at the Karlsruher Institute of Technology (KIT) (Germany). Afterwards, she did her PhD at the Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene at the University hospital of Tübingen (Germany). During her PhD studies she worked with the multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii and gained comprehensive knowledge in the field of microbiology as well as first insides in Next-Generation Sequencing.
Catrin Bitter
Sales
Catrin Bitter is part of CeGaT‘s Sales Team, where she focuses on Tumor Diagnostics. She is responsible for customer requests, advice on CeGaT’s tumor‑specific diagnostic services and the coordination of internal processes.
Catrin Bitter studied Biological Sciences in Konstanz and Tübingen with a focus on molecular cell biology and immunology. During her dissertation at the University of Tübingen she worked on the identification and modulation of dysregulated microRNAs in liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Max Blank
Laboratory
Max Blank is part of the New Applications team (Laboratory 3) at CeGaT. The team implements new sequencing technologies and protocols in the lab and processes corresponding customer projects. A special focus of the team is on long-read and single-cell sequencing technologies. Furthermore, the team is responsible for establishing customer-specific lab protocols and workflows.
Max Blank studied biology at the University of Cologne and the Heinrich-Heine-University in Düsseldorf. He conducted his final thesis at the Max-Planck-Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne, identifying cis-regulatory elements in corn. Doing so he applied different NGS methods and digital PCR. During a research stay in Hawaii he obtained additional experiences in molecular biology.
Veronika Böttcher
Data Analysis
Veronika Böttcher is part of the team Data Analytics of CeGaT. She supports the team in processing customer projects and data analysis.
Veronika Böttcher studied Biomathematics at the Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University in Greifswald with a focus on molecular biology. During her master‘s thesis at the University of Tübingen she evaluated alignment-free phylogenetic reconstruction methods for ancient DNA.
Besma Bugdayci
Customer Care
Besma Bugdayci is part of the Customer Care team at CeGaT. Her responsibilities include answering next-generation sequencing service requests, preparing quotes and advising clients planning their projects.
Besma Bugdayci studied food science and biotechnology at the University of Hohenheim. She wrote her concluding master’s thesis with a focus on food material science. Additionally, she gained professional experience in the area of quality assurance at an international consumer goods company.
Esra Cetinkaya
Laboratory
Jonas Englund
Sales
No information available.
Lara El Bazzal
Sales
No information available.
Alexander Fuchs
Customer Care
Dr. rer. nat. Alexander Fuchs leads the Customer Care Team in the Research & Pharma Solutions division. Together with his team, he is responsible for customer support and communication, offer preparation as well as pricing.
After studying biology at the University of Tübingen with the focus on cell biology and immunology, he did his PhD at the University Hospital Tübingen. Here, he investigated molecular mechanisms in the pathophysiology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Additionally, he gained experience as lab manager at the DKFZ partner site Tübingen.
Anna Glukhova
IT-Infrastructure
Anna Glukhova works in the IT process and project management team at CeGaT GmbH. She deals with the planning, implementation and operation of IT services.
Anna Glukhova graduated from the Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics with a degree in Computer Science, specializing in Automated Control and Data Processing Systems, and then worked as a software developer at the Research Center for Electronic Computing in Moscow. She moved to Germany 10 years ago and gained further professional experience in technical support and IT consulting.
Christiane Dettling
Human Resources
After many years in dental accounting, Christiane Dettling is now working as assistant in the human resources department at CeGaT.
Swantje Dettweiler
Backoffice
Swantje Dettweiler is part of the backoffice team.
After many years in the advertising industry she is now supporting CeGaT in organizational and administrative matters.
Christfried Dornis
Marketing & Communication
Christfried Dornis heads the Marketing & Communication team and is responsible for the strategic direction of marketing and the management of communication and advertising channels.
Christfried Dornis studied media management and journalism in Wilhelmshaven as well as communication sciences in Passau. He managed the marketing of several brands in the healthcare industry.
Magdalena Feldhahn
Data Analysis
Magdalena Feldhahn, PhD, is part of the team Data Analytics of CeGaT.
She supports the Tumor Diagnostics team in research projects and with the development and implementation of new methods.
Magdalena Feldhahn studied Bioinformatics with a focus on pharmacy and immunology at the University of Tübingen. During her PhD studies at the Applied Bioinfomatics group of the University of Tübingen, she analyzed genome and trancriptome data from cancer patients. The aim of these
analyses was the development of personalized immunotherapies based on tumor specific mutations.
Fabian Frank
Quality Management
Dr. rer. nat. Fabian Frank is part of CeGaT’s quality management team with his main focus being the review and incorporation of GxP requirements.
Fabian Frank studied chemistry ( major: biochemistry) at the Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg (Germany). During his PhD studies at the institute of biochemistry he worked on membrane protein crystallography and electrophysiology of ammonium transporters. He is a TÜV certified QM representative and manager with additional training and working experience in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Lean Management. Before joining CeGaT, he held the position of team leader at a DIN EN ISO 15189 accredited clinical chemistry laboratory where he was responsible for proficiency testing, verification of new analytes and staff training.
Natascha Günther
Laboratory
Natascha Günther is team leader of the Laboratory team II (NGS).
Beate Garbers
Project Management
Beate Garbers is working as project manager at CeGaT. Her focus is to adapt processes according to regulatory compliance. Further she coordinates customer-specific next-generation sequencing projects, especially for clients from pharmaceutical companies.
Beate Garbers studied chemistry at the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg with focus on biochemistry. As lab manager in the immunology department of the University Clinic of Ulm she worked on the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of B cells and the development of lymphomas. She gained further working experience especially with GxP regulations as quality control manager and deputy group leader of the bioassay department of a Contract Research Organisation.
Marie Gauder
Data Analysis
No information available.
Andreas Gerasch
Software Development
Andreas Gerasch is team leader of the software development team at CeGaT. His team develops software solutions used in the laboratory, diagnostic and bioinformatic field.
Andreas Gerasch studied Bioinformatics at the University of Tübingen with focus on Microbiology and Genetics. Currently, he is also finishing his PhD in the field of biological network visualization and analysis at the Algorithmics group at the University of Tübingen.
Jeannette Gogel
Laboratory
Jeannette Gogel is in CeGaT’s Sanger Sequencing team.
Jeannette Gogel successfully finished her education at the school for medical-technical assistant at the University of Tübingen and gained work experience in different research groups at the University Hospital of Tübingen.
Nicola Hanig
Project Management
Dr. rer. nat. Nicola Hanig is working as Project Manager at CeGaT. She coordinates customer-specific next-generation sequencing projects in the field of Research & Pharma Solutions (RPS).
Nicola Hanig studied Biology at the University of Tübingen with focus on human genetics, cell biology and pharmacology. During her doctoral thesis at the University of Tübingen, Institute of Medical Genetics she focused on searching for mutations responsible for neurologic diseases. Afterwards she worked for CeGaT GmbH and Praxis für Humangenetik Tübingen as a teamleader in the field of genetic diagnostics.
Alexandra Gracev
Marketing & Communication
No information available.
Christian Griehl
Facility Management
No information available.
Stefan Griesbach
Sales
Stefan Griesbach, PhD, is team leader of the Sales team of CeGaT. His responsibilities include shaping the distribution strategy, planning for and representing CeGaT at public appearance, supporting service partners, and managing business-to-business contacts.
After studying Biochemistry at the universities of Tübingen and Munich, he earned his Doctorate in the Department of Molecular Biology at the University of Tübingen. His research focused on the role of the ubiquitous transcription factor Serum Response Factor (SRF) in the liver. Based on this work, he then established a new mouse model for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Anja Grohmann
Customer Care
Dr. rer. nat. Anja Grohmann is part of the Product Management team in the Research & Pharma Solutions division. Her responsibilities include the strategic planning of products, launching new products, and maintaining existing products.
Anja Grohmann studied biotechnology at the Esslingen University of Applied Sciences and Earth System Sciences at the University of Hohenheim. During her time as a doctoral student at the Fraunhofer IGB, she dealt with metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyzes of environmental samples.
Nicole Grünheit
Data Analysis
Dr. rer. nat. Nicole Grünheit arbeitet als Bioinformatikerin im Team Datenanalyse bei CeGaT.
Nicole Grünheit studierte Biomathematik mit den Schwerpunkten Molekularbiologie und Statistik an der Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald. Während ihrer Promotion in der Arbeitsgruppe „Molekulare Evolution“ an der HHU Düsseldorf analysierte sie die Verteilung der Gene, die von den primären oder sekundären Plastiden rezenter Pflanzen und Algen in die jeweiligen Kerngenome transferiert wurden. Nach Abschluss ihrer Promotion erhielt sie ein 2-jähriges Postdoc Stipendium des DAAD für einen Forschungsaufenthalt an der Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Hier entwickelte sie eine Methode für die de novo Assemblierung von Transkriptomen polyploider Pflanzen. Danach hat sie an der University of Manchester die Genome wilder Dictyostelium discoideum Stämme mittels genotyping by sequencing analysiert, um Gene zu bestimmen, die diverse Phänotypen hervorrufen.
Sare Güler
Laboratory
No information available.
Manuel Harke
Software Development
No information available.
Robin Harmening
Software Development
Robin Harmening is part of the software development team at CeGaT. He supports the team in the development of software solutions in the diagnostic context.
Robin Harmening studied bioinformatics at the University of Tübingen with a focus on transcriptomics and genetics. During his master thesis in the „Integrative Transcriptomics“ group, he analysed genome and transcriptome data of bacteria of the genus Lactococcus.
Johannes Harter
Research
Johannes Harter, PhD, is team leader of the research team. Together with his team he is responsible for the development and realization of research projects. He is specialized on planning, coordination, and analysis of research projects in the field of microbiome research.
Johannes Harter studied Geoecology at the University of Tübingen. In his diploma thesis he focused on the development and application of molecular biological methods for the detection of bacteria in environmental samples. During his PhD in Molecular Microbial Ecology at the University of Tübingen, he carried out microbiome analyzes using Next-Generation Sequencing at the DNA and RNA level and performed the bioinformatic evaluation of the associated datasets.
Angela Henzler
Software Development
Angela Henzler, PhD, works in the software development team at CeGaT.
Her main tasks are the development of the CeGaT laboratory management system as well as support in laboratory process automation.
Angela Henzler studied bioinformatics at the University of Tübingen with a focus on biochemistry and immunology, she joined the group for Computational Molecular Design at the Center of Bioinformatics of the University of Hamburg were she developed computational methods for structure-based drug design.
Ilona Herter
Human Resources
No information available.
James Hewinson
Sales Consultant
No information available.
Michael Hofmann
Sales
Michael Hofmann, PhD, is responsible for CeGaT’s sales activities in Western Europe. Michael Hofmann studied molecular genetics and holds a PhD in Genomics from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and the Max Planck Institute for Immunobiology, Freiburg.
As Laboratory Head Molecular Genetics he acquired significant experience in personalized medicine in oncology. The major focus of his work was in clinical biosampling, processing of patient samples, and in genetic diagnostics of tumors to identify genetic biomarkers predictive for response to therapy.
Prior to joining CeGaT, he worked as Regional Manager Western Europe for a genetic testing provider. He built up the sales structure and was responsible for sales of services and product portfolio in genetic and biochemical diagnostics of rare hereditary diseases.
Christopher Holthoff
Laboratory
No information available.
Günter Jäger
Software Development
Günter Jäger, PhD, is part of the CeGaT software development team.
His main tasks include the development of software solutions in the diagnostic context.
Günter Jäger studied bioinformatics at the University of Tübingen with a focus on molecular biology and genetics. During his PhD studies in the „Integrative Transcriptomics“ group, he developed new visual analytics approaches for the integrative study of single nucleotide variations and gene expression data.
Sabrina Jenninger
Software Development
No information available.
Janina Johänning
Research
Dr. rer. nat. Janina Johänning is working in the research team. Here, she is responsible for the development, elaboration and realization of research projects. In detail, her focus is on planning, coordination and analysis of research projects regarding tumor biology.
Janina Johänning studied biochemistry at the University of Tübingen specializing in pharmaceutical chemistry and toxicology. During her doctoral thesis at the Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch-Institute of clinical pharmacology she analyzed the formation of estrogenic metabolites of the breast cancer drug tamoxifen as well as their effect on tumor cells and their impact on therapy success in breast cancer patients.
Benjamin Kästle
Data Analysis
Maria Kopp
Research & Development
Maria Kopp, M.Sc, is part of CeGaT’s Research & Development team. She is involved in the development of new methods and technologies in the field of NGS.
After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Bio and Process Engineering at the Hochschule Furtwangen University, she received a Master’s degree in Biological Sciences at University of Konstanz.
During her Bachelor thesis at the clinic in Stuttgart she established a RT-PCR-based method for the determination of the FOXP3-DNA-methylation as a marker for regulatory T-cells.
During her Master thesis at the Fraunhofer IGB Stuttgart she developed a NGS-based method for rapid detection of infections in the bloodstream.
Kiriakos Kotziaeroglou
Laboratory
Cornelia Kreim
Customer Care
Cornelia Kreim is part of the Customer Care team at CeGaT. Her responsibilities include answering next-generation sequencing service requests, preparing quotes and advising clients planning their projects.
Cornelia Kreim studied biomedical sciences at the University of Reutlingen and Albstadt-Sigmaringen University. She wrote her final master’s thesis in the research and development departement at Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH.
Jonas Kemmer
Software Development
Dorothea Kemmler
Development - Pharma Solutions
Dorothea Kemmler is part of the team “Development – Pharma Solutions”. Their responsibilities include advising clients on the use of Next-Generation Sequencing in clinical studies, and support them during the planning phase of their projects. Furthermore, the team is responsible for advancing development of CeGaT’s product portfolio for clinical and pharmaceutical studies.
After completing her biology degree in Konstanz and some research in food technology at the ETH Zurich, she gained professional experience in technical customer support at several international biotechnology companies. In the various positions, she has not only gained experience in next-generation sequencing, she also learned about the side of service providers as well as manufacturers for customers in research and medical diagnostics.
Felix Kenel
Software Development
Felix Kenel, PhD, works in the CeGaT software development team. As a software engineer he mainly concentrates on software solutions to support laboratory workflows.
Felix Kenel studied bioinformatics at the University of Tübingen with a focus on genetics and molecular biology. During his Ph.D. studies at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology and the University of Tübingen he developed data processing and analysis methods for next-generation-sequencing.
Elena Kersting
Laboratory
No information available.
Ann-Kathleen Kirschbaum
Marketing & Communication
Ann-Kathleen Kirschbaum supports CeGaT in the marketing and communication department, with a focus on content management. Since October 2020, she has been responsible for the editorial preparation of marketing materials.
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Kristina Klein
Marketing & Communication
Dr. rer. nat. Kristina Klein is part of the Marketing and Communication Team. As marketing product manager, she supports the entire company in marketing and communication topics with a scientific focus.
Kristina Klein studied molecular biology and biochemistry at the University of Bremen. As part of her PhD at the Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene at the University Hospital of Tübingen, she analyzed mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in the multi-resistant hospital pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Afterwards she gained experience as a project manager in planning and coordinating multichannel campaigns for various companies and created medical content in different medical indications.
Nikolai Klesse
Sales
Verena Klumpp
Sales
No information available.
Yvonne Krebs
Backoffice
Yvonne Krebs worked in Corona Support Team starting May 2020 and is now supporting CeGaT’s backoffice team as the “voice of the switchboard”, among other responsibilities.
Manuel Kreutzer
Customer Care
Manuel Kreutzer is part of the Customer Care team at CeGaT. His responsibilities include answering next-generation sequencing service requests, preparing quotes and advising clients planning their projects.
After finishing his bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Tübingen Manuel Kreutzer switched to studying bioinformatics as a master student, also at the University of Tübingen. During his studies he focused on next-generation sequencing technologies, mainly on high-throughput data analysis. He concluded his master’s degree with his thesis in the field of microbiome analysis.
Vanessa Krolikowsky
Software Development
No information available.
Rene Kunze
Finance
No information available.
Eva-Marie Kurfass
Laboratory
Christoph Mack
Software Development
No information available.
Bastian Lang
Marketing & Communication
Bastian Lang is part of the Marketing & Communication team. As Senior Creative Manager, he is responsible for graphic design. He takes care of the design of print and digital media and is responsible for all photo as well as video content.
Erik Lemke
IT-Infrastructure
No information available.
Jacek Lukasik
Sales
No information available.
Daniela Maichl
Project Management
Sandra Maier
Backoffice
No information available.
Lisa Mertens
Project Management
Lisa Mertens, PhD, is working as a project manager at CeGaT. She coordinates customer-specific next-generation sequencing projects in the division Research & Pharma Solutions (RPS).
Lisa Mertens studied biology at the University of Bremen. During her studies, she conducted research stays in Israel and South Africa. She did her PhD in population genomics at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. The project involved the detection of (NGS) sequence variations with a specially established bioinformatics pipeline. Throughout the different stations of her professional development, she gained experience in contract research, bioinformatics and scientific project management.
Ute Metzger
Quality Management
Ute Metzger is team leader of the Quality Management team.
Lisha Mathew
Data Analysis
Lisha Mathew, PhD, is part of the team Data Analytics of CeGaT. She supports the diagnostics and R&D department with specialized analysis and she is responsible for the continuous development of our data analysis.
Lisha Mathew studied bioinformatics at the Goethe University in Frankfurt with a focus on cell biology and ecology & evolution of animals. During her PhD studies in the Statistical Genetics group of the Ludwig Maximilians University Munich she worked on the development of a method to estimate model parameters from genetic data. She spend her postdoc at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne and worked on the evolution of human KRAB zinc finger genes based on the 1000 Genomes Project.
Judith Necker
Quality Management
Dr. Judith Necker, PhD is team leader in the area of quality management at CeGaT. Together with her team she is responsible for the maintenance and development of the QM system according to ISO 15189 and CAP/CLIA requirements.
Judith Necker studied biology at the University of Hohenheim and subsequently completed her PhD at the Institute of Medical Genetics at the University of Basel. Afterwards, she was employed in the QM department of a biopharmaceutical company and completed the advanced training to become a QM representative at the German Society for Quality. Before joining CeGaT, she worked for several years in quality management and regulatory affairs at a manufacturer of in vitro diagnostics.
Bernd Müller
Facility Management
Bernd Müller is the Facility Manager at CeGaT. He is responsible for the coordination and review of construction and maintenance as well as the execution of repairs, and ensures the cleanliness of CeGaT’s facility.
He has worked as a Facility Manager for over eight years in different facilities.
Sylvia Nanfaro
Purchasing and warehouse management
No information available.
Dmitri Ossipov
Sales
Dmitri Ossipov, PhD as a Head of Sales Europe is responsible for sales in the European market at CeGaT. Development of sales strategies, management of the European sales team as well as direct customer communication in different European countries belong to his daily tasks.
After obtaining his PhD degree during his work in the Department of Molecular Genetics of the Max-Plank-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen and the University of Kassel, he has been working for many years in biotechnology companies.
Nicole Oberbeckmann
Purchasing and warehouse management
Nicole Oberbeckmann heads the purchasing and warehouse management team. You and your team are responsible for purchasing consumer and capital goods as well as warehouse management.
Amalia Olgeiser
Marketing & Communication
No information available.
Bujar Orlishta
Finance
No information available.
Cornelia Pelger
Quality Management
Cornelia Pelger works in quality management (QM) at CeGaT.
Cornelia Pelger graduated from Reutlingen University with a degree in Chemistry and Marketing. She has 14 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry where she worked in QM, technical engineering and qualification.
Samuel Pennarun
Automation
Samuel Pennarun is part of the automation team at CeGaT. His tasks include in particular the automation of laboratory protocols and the support of the corresponding devices.
Samuel Pennarun received his bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from UPPA University in Pau, France. He worked in scientific research in the fields of immunology, environmental microbiology and in next generation sequencing (NGS) laboratories as a molecular biologist in Toulouse and Strasbourg. Meanwhile, he automated the protocols for various pipetting robots.
Germano Piccirillo
Laboratory
Germano Piccirillo studied chemistry in Potenza (IT) and achieved a PhD in the same field in Salerno (IT) in 2018.
Parallel to his PhD he worked as a researcher at the Women’s University Hospital Tübingen. After two years in South Tyrol in the food industry he returned back to Tübingen in November 2020 to join CeGaT in the production as a lab member.
Cosmin Pocanschi
Sales
Cosmin Pocanschi, PhD, is Head of Sales at CeGaT GmbH and in charge of company’s Research & Pharma Solutions business in the DACH and BeNeLux region.
He received his PhD in Biology from University of Konstanz and completed the Business Edge Executive Program at Rotman School of Management in Toronto. Before joining CeGaT, he gained experience in a variety of fields, including biomedical research, health services, quality assurance, process improvement and product management.
Rahel Rauleder
Sales
Rahel Rauleder is part of CeGaT‘s Sales Team in the field of Tumor Diagnostics. She focuses on customer requests, advice on tumor‑specific diagnostic services and the coordination of internal processes.
Rahel Rauleder studied Biomedical Sciences in Reutlingen and Sigmaringen with a focus on genetics and cell biology. As part of her final thesis at the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society, she worked on the regulation of a helicase in meiotic recombination.
Anika Proß
Anika Proß works as a project manager in the facility section at CeGaT. In particular her tasks include the planning and coordination of the new CeGaT building.
Anika Proß studied mechanical engineering in Pforzheim with focus on product development. She mainly focused on materials science, factory planning and sustainable development. She completed her final thesis on “Optimizing the material properties of components manufactured using the SLM process” at a Swabian defense company. She was able to gain hands-on experience through her training as a TIG welder and as a student trainee in the field of thin sheet processing and ventilation technology.
Brunilda Qotja
Finance
No information available.
Alina Renz
Product Management
No information available.
Konrad-Dietrich Riethmüller
IT-Infrastructure
No information available.
Olga Rataj
Sales
Dr. rer. nat. Olga Rataj belongs to the CeGaT sales team and is focussing on the field of tumor diagnostics. Her duties encompass taking care of customer requests and coordinating internal processes.
Olga Rataj studied Molecular Biology and Virology at University of Tübingen.
She investigated the pathology and drug resistance of cervical cancer. Main focus of her PhD was the identification of novel molecular targets and their preclinical analysis.
Laura Reichelt
Laboratory
Simone Roth
Human Resources
Andrea Rütschle
Project Management
Dr. rer. nat. Andrea Rütschle is Head of CeGaT’s Project Management Department. Together with her team she coordinates customer-specific next-generation sequencing projects in the field of Research & Pharma Solutions (RPS).
Andrea Rütschle studied Molecular Biotechnology at the TU München and the Uppsala University with focus on medical genetics, physiology and microbiology. During her doctoral thesis at the chair of Microbial Ecology at the TU München she gained experience with next-generation sequencing and numerous biomolecular methods.
Sophia Richter
Laboratory
Sophia Richter is part of the Next Generation Sequencing team at CeGaT. Her responsibilities include the preparation and handling of samples in this process, such as documentation and the maintenance of the used devices.
She studied microbiology at the university in Tübingen. She gained her first work experience as technical assistant in the quality control unit at Renschler Biopharma SE.
Petra Rilling
Laboratory
Petra Rilling works in the laboratory at CeGaT. She is mainly responsible for the coronavirus diagnostics.
Petra Rilling completed her education as a medical-technical assistant at the Medical Technical Academy in Esslingen (MTAE).
Bettina Rohde
Project Management
Dr. rer. nat. Bettina Rohde is working as Project Manager at CeGaT. She coordinates customer-specific next-generation sequencing projects in the field of Research & Pharma Solutions (RPS).
Bettina Rohde studied chemistry at Phillips-Universität Marburg with focus on biochemistry. After finishing her PhD thesis at MPI for terrestrial microbiology in Marburg, she worked as postdoc at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. Afterwards she gained professional experience at a sequencing company, and worked as senior scientist in the laboratory, as project manager, and as data analysis specialist. Besides coordinating service projects for customers, she also managed publicly funded projects.
Mirjam Rojas
Backoffice
No information available.
Sonja Sändig
Customer Care
Sonja Sändig works in the customer care Team at CeGaT. Her responsibilities include answering next-generation sequencing service requests in the Research and Pharma Solutions area, preparing quotes and advising clients planning their projects..
Sonja Sändig studied biology at the University of Tübingen with a focus on animal physiology.
Vidiyaah Santhanakumaran
Sales
Verena Schattel
Project Management
Verena Schattel, PhD, is working in the process and project management at CeGaT. She supports CeGaT in the implementation of complex internal projects. Responsible for all ERP projects, she ensures successful integration into CeGaT’s process landscape.
Verena studied bioinformatics at the University of Tübingen with a focus on pharmacy. Afterwards she did her PhD at the group of medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry and submitted a PhD thesis in the area of computational chemistry for host-ligand interactions of protein kinases. After the PhD she worked as an IT-Consultant and was involved in customer projects working with laboratory information systems and middleware which are used in regulated environments worldwide.
Lea Schenke
Sales
Lea Schenke supports the sales department at CeGaT. Her job includes the calculation of sales, organization and conduction of CeGaT´s appearance of exhibitions as well as intensive care of regular costumers.
Lea Schenke has studied molecular biotechnology at the RWTH University in Aachen with focus in immunology and medicine. During her dissertation she worked on the generation and characterization of specific cancer therapeutics against myeloid leukemia.
Simone Schäfer
Laboratory
No information available.
Tom Schimmer
IT-Infrastructure
No information available.
Claudia Schlecker-Kloker
Backoffice
No information available.
Felix Sieghörtner
IT-Infrastructure
Felix Sieghörtner works in the IT infrastructure department at CeGaT. He supports the administration and further development of IT operations and is responsible for backend infrastructure.
After completing his bachelor’s degree in medical informatics, Felix Sieghörtner completed his master’s degree in computer science. In the context of his master’s thesis he dealt with Explainable Artificial Intelligence. During his master studies at the University of Tübingen he already worked as a student trainee at CeGaT.
Gözdenur Schmelzer
Sales
Gözdenur Schmelzer is a part of the CeGaT Sales team. She supports the team in answering customer requests, acquisition of new customers and helping with the coordination on trade-shows and exhibitions.
Gözdenur Schmelzer has a Bachelor`s degree in Biology from Middle East Technical University in Turkey. During her studies she focused mostly on microbial ecology. Previously she has worked in the microbiology and haematology laboratories in an oncology hospital in Ankara. After graduating, she was a freelance science-writer, mostly focusing on microbiology related articles. Since December 2019 she is a part of the CeGaT team.
Tina Schmidt
Laboratory
Tina Schmidt is part of CeGaT´s Customer Solutions team. He task include the handling of custom NGS projects.
Tina Schmidt absolved her education as a biological laboratory technician at the “EUROIMMUN AG” in Lübeck. She gained first professional experience in a laboratory at the “Universitätsklinikum Tübingen” in the Transgenic Facility.
Christine Schmieder
Purchasing and warehouse management
Christine Schmieder supports CeGaT in the area of purchasing and warehouse management, with a focus on purchasing. Her tasks include ordering consumer and capital goods as well as checking invoices.
Kirill Shur
Sales
No information available.
Michael Schnabel
IT-Infrastructure
Michael Schnabel works in the IT department of CeGaT. He supports all IT-Infrastructure operations and is responsible for the backend infrastructure and IT-related projects.
Michael Schnabel graduated at the University of Applied Sciences Albstadt-Sigmaringen with a degree in technical computer science, specializing in software and media technology. He gained his first professional experience in the field of web development and system administration in the private sector. Subsequently, he worked many years as a system administrator in the scientific sector.
Lisa Schneckenburger
Marketing & Communication
Lisa Schneckenburger is part of the Marketing & Communication team. As Marketing Manager, she supports the entire company in marketing and communication issues.
She completed her Master’s degree in International Marketing and subsequently worked as a marketing manager in a medical technology company.
Michael Sonnabend
Project Management
Dr. rer. nat. Michael Sonnabend is working as a Project Manager at CeGaT. He coordinates customer-specific next-generation sequencing projects in the field of Research & Pharma Solutions (RPS).
Michael Sonnabend studied Molecular Medicine at the University of Ulm. During his PhD at the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene at the University Hospital of Tübingen he investigated mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in the nosocomial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Subsequently, he worked as a scientist and project manager at Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) core facility, where he was responsible for the coordination of NGS projects on microbial samples.
Laura Spengler
Marketing & Communication
Laura Spengler works in the Marketing & Communication team as a graphic designer. Her tasks include the visual creation of print products and digital media.
Martin Sprissler
Sales
Martin Sprissler has been organizing concepts, projects, and events in the Corona context at CeGaT since 2020. From establishing independently functioning centers to mobile units that need to be implemented & executed carefully and at short notice in pandemic situations. On behalf of CeGaT, Sprissler supervises the daily test operations in the two transit shelters of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, including all material & notification chains and team composition. He designs individual hygienic concepts for the industry trade fair “BioTechnologieTage 2021” and other events in close consultation with the local authorities & operators.
Martin Sprissler looks back on many years of experience in the marketing & event sector as a graduate in media & communications specializing in journalism & PR.
Lena Staib
Development - Pharma solutions
Dr. rer. nat. Lena Staib is part of the team “Development – Pharma solutions”. Their responsibilities include advising clients on the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in clinical studies, and support them during the planning phase of their projects. Furthermore, the team is responsible for advancing development of CeGaT’s product portfolio for clinical and pharmaceutical studies.
Lena Staib studied plant biotechnology and molecular biotechnology with focus on genetics and plant biotechnology. After completing her PhD in microbiology she worked as project coordinator and scientist. She gained experience in project management, scientific customer support and NGS.
Peter Steensgaard
Sales
No information available.
Sabrina Stiefel
Accounting
Sabrina Stiefel is part of the finance team at CeGaT. She is responsible for accounts receivable.
She finished her job education as a legal assistant in 2009 where she gained work experience in secretarial and administrative tasks. That followed a bachelor study at the University of Reutlingen in applied chemistry, with a focus on bioanalysis which she successfully completed in August 2014.
Daniel Strobel
Laboratory
Daniel Strobel is part of the New Applications team (Laboratory 3) at CeGaT. The team implements new sequencing technologies and protocols in the lab and processes corresponding customer projects. A special focus of the team is on long-read and single-cell sequencing technologies. Furthermore, the team is responsible for establishing customer-specific lab protocols and workflows.
Daniel Strobel studied Biology at the University of Tübingen and specialized in human genetics, molecular biology, and immunology. In his master thesis he investigated gene expression changes during photoreceptor degeneration in a mouse model of colour blindness on a transcriptome-based scale using microarrays, NGS and qRT-PCR.
Carine Tabet
Sales
No information available.
Isabelle Titel
Human Resources
Isabelle Titel works in the Human Resources Department. She coordinates the recruiting process and is the contact person for all job candidates as well as for all employees regarding personnel-related questions. She manages the personnel data.
Isabelle Titel worked in the Finance Department and was amongst others responsible for payroll and several personnel-related tasks.
If you are interested in working at CeGaT, please send your job application to jobs@cegat.de.
Dilek Tuncbilek-Dere
Data Analysis
No information available.
Mindaugas Ukanis
Sales
No information available.
Julia Unger
Purchasing and warehouse management
Julia Unger supports CeGaT in the area of purchasing and warehouse management, with a focus on warehouse management. Her tasks include the administration, provision, and reordering of consumer goods and inventory of capital goods.
Angelos Vachaviolos
Sales
Angelos Vachaviolos, PhD is part of CeGaT’s Sales team, where he focuses on tumor diagnostics. He is entrusted with advising customers on tumor-specific products and the aquisition of new customers, as well as with the coordination of internal projects.
After completing his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology in Greece he went to the UK, where he pursued a master’s degree in Molecular Genetics and Diagnostics at the University of Nottingham. Angelos continued his studies at a doctoral level at the University of Tübingen. During his PhD, he investigated the role of cGMP-dependent protein kinase I in thermogenesis in mice.
Tobias Wagenschwanz
IT-Infrastructure
Tobias Wagenschwanz works in the IT department of CeGaT. He supports all IT-Infrastructure operations and is responsible for the backend infrastructure and IT-related projects.
Tobias Wagenschwanz got his experience as an IT-System Administrator, Project Manager and Team-Leadership after a commercial apprenticeship to become an industrial management assistant.
His way led him through large-scale and medium-sized companies in the metal and automotive industry up to supporting small customers during his time being self-employed.
Katharina Waiblinger
Laboratory
Katharina Waiblinger is part of the Next Generation Sequencing team at CeGaT. Her responsibilities include the preparation and handling of samples in this process, such as documentation and the maintenance of the used devices.
Katharina Waiblinger is a trained technical Assistant for Biotechnology.
Patrick Walter
Sales
Patrick Walter, PhD, is a Sales Manager at the Department of Research & Pharma Solutions at CeGaT. He is the sales representative for Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the BeNeLux countries. He is in charge of novel client acquisition as well as the cooperation with Academia, the Pharma and Biotech Industry.
After his graduation in Biochemistry and Chemistry he did his PhD in Structural Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at the Institut Pasteur Paris and the University of Paris – Sorbonne. After a postdoc at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm he started his position in sales at CeGaT.
Daniel Walz
IT-Infrastructure
Daniel Walz is part of the IT department of CeGaT. He supports all IT-Infrastructure operations and is responsible for the backend Infrastructure.
Daniel Walz completed after his education as electronics technician for industrial systems a study as state-certified technician specialized in information technology. He gained experience as System administrator at several larger companies in the medical and automotive industry.
Nicole Weiblen
Product Management
Nicole Weiblen leads the Product Management team in the Research & Pharma Solutions division. Together with her team, she is responsible for the strategic planning of products, launching new products, and maintaining existing products.
Nicole Weiblein studied biotechnology and bioprocess engineering. During her studies, various stays abroad, and her many years of work at CeGaT, she gained in-depth knowledge in molecular biology and sequencing.
Salomé Weis
Customer Care
Salomé Weis is part of the Customer Care team at CeGaT. Her responsibilities include answering next-generation sequencing service requests, preparing quotes, and advising clients to plan their projects.
Salomé Weis studied biomedical science and biotechnology at the University of Reutlingen. She wrote her concluding bachelors’ thesis with a focus on material sciences at Sony Europe B.V in Stuttgart. Furthermore, as a working student, she gained professional experience at DKMS GmbH in Tübingen.
Stefanie Wendel
Sales
Stefanie Wendel went to med school at Eberhard Karls University in Tübingen. As part of her doctorate, she is working on the effects of a high-sugar diet on sleep and learning behaviour of mice.
At CeGaT she is responsible for the prevention sector which handles preventing diseases, reducing the risk of diseases or delaying their occurrence. She deals with product management, strategy development and sales.
Lisa Wild
Laboratory
Lisa Wild has been working in the laboratory at CeGaT since 2019. Her tasks include the isolation of DNA and RNA from different materials.
She completed her training as a medical-technical laboratory assistant at the Institute for Medical-Technical Laboratory Assistants of the University Hospital Tübingen.
Mandy Winkler
Backoffice
Mandy Winkler has been supporting CeGaT in the back office team since July 2019 as assistant to the management. She is responsible for various administrative matters such as appointment coordination.
As a certified business economist, she has worked for the last few years as an assistant to the management and board of directors of a medical technology investor and a medical technology company in the field of ophthalmology, gaining a great deal of experience in the assistance area.
Janine Wong
Project Management
Janine Wong, PhD, is working as project manager at CeGaT. She coordinates customer-specific next-generation sequencing projects in the division Research & Pharma Solutions (RPS).
Janine Wong studied biology at the University of Tübingen. After completing her PhD in evolutionary biology at the University of Basel, she worked as a study director in a contract research laboratory for ecotoxicological studies. Subsequently, she gained experience as a senior scientist at the Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology. There, she was responsible for the area of soil ecotoxicology.
Nora Zeller
Marketing & Communication
Nora Zeller is part of the Marketing & Communication team. As Communication Manager, she takes care of the various aspects of corporate communication, such as PR, social media, and internal communication.
Nora Zeller studied communications at the University of Hohenheim.
Zhen Zeng
Sales
No information available.
Irene Zimmer
Quality Management
Irene-A. Zimmer, PhD, is part of CeGaT’s quality management team with her main focus being the American quality systems accreditation.
She received her veterinary degree and PhD from the LMU Munich before gathering work experience in the UK and USA for a total of 15 years. Amongst others, she was responsible for establishing and maintaining the quality system for a parasitology diagnostic laboratory, coordinated international EU projects, lectured at the North Shore Community and Gordon College in Massachusetts and was managing the laboratory for NSIV, a Biotech and Cleantech Incubator.