Our new Stiftung Charité Visting Fellows
With funding commitments totaling approximately €1.4 million, Stiftung Charité is inviting six renowned scientists from the U.S., Israel, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom for research stays at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH), and the Max Delbrück Center. The funding decision was made by the foundation's board during its spring meeting, based on the recommendation of an interdisciplinary selection committee.
With their hosts, the Visiting Fellows will initiate innovative biomedical projects, test them in pilot phases, or – depending on the project – implement them with their own research groups. The wide range of topics once again highlights the diversity of Berlin's biomedical research landscape. The selected projects span from fundamental molecular biology research to data-driven medicine, digital diagnostic models, bioengineering, and novel approaches for treating cardiovascular diseases and trauma.
Bridgeing disciplines
Karen Christman
At the Max Delbrück Center, Professor Maike Sander, Group Leader of the Pancreatic Organoid Research and Disease Modeling Lab will host Professor Karen Christman from the University of California San Diego. The bioengineer develops injectable biomaterials to regenerate heart tissue. Her expertise will specifically support the expansion of biomedical engineering at the Max Delbrück Center. With Sander and other colleagues, Christman will forge new interdisciplinary collaborations that will focus on the interaction between biomaterials and human vascular tissue. She will also investigate molecular mechanisms of action using advanced methods in proteomics and single-cell transcriptomics. Stiftung Charité has awarded Christman €62,000 over two years. Her fellowship begins this month.
Jakob von Moltke
Professor Gary Lewin, Group Leader of the Molecular Physiology of Somatic Sensation lab, will host Professor Jakob von Moltke from the University of Washington in the United States. The immunologist is researching how specialized intestinal cells – tuft cells – trigger immune responses against parasitic worms. Exactly how the immune system recognizes these parasites is still largely unknown. Working at the intersection of immunology and neurobiology, he and Lewin will investigate whether organisms detect parasitic worms via mechanical stimuli – such as when worms move in skin or in the intestine. Stiftung Charité has awarded von Moltke €260,000 over two years. He will begin his fellowship in September.
On October 16, 2025, the Stiftung Charité will host a welcome reception for all of their newly funded fellows.
Further information
Stiftung Charité press release (including details on the four other fellows).
