TEAM
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Prof. Dr.
Petya Apostolova
Principal Investigator
Petya is an Assistant Professor of Experimental Hematology at the University Hospital Basel. She studied Medicine in Freiburg, Germany, where she also completed her clinical training. In her postdoctoral fellowship at the Max-Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (USA), she studied how metabolism governs the function and survival of immune and leukemia cells. Clinically, Petya consults patients with hematological malignancies, in particular hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. In her research work, she is fascinated by cellular metabolic plasticity and its consequences for cell fate.
Massimo Andreis
PhD Student
Massimo studied Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology at the University of Trento, Italy, where he discovered his passion for immunology and metabolic pathways. After spending four years near his beloved mountains, he moved overseas for his master’s thesis, where he investigated the role of cysteine and glutamine in cytotoxic T lymphocytes - and became a big Baltimore Ravens fan (even if he’s still figuring out NFL’s rules).
To further broaden his knowledge in a more translational context, he joined our lab in Basel as a PhD student. His research focuses on understanding how AML cell metabolism contributes to AML immune escape following allogeneic transplantation by multiomics technologies.
When he’s not in the lab, Massimo enjoys spending time outdoors: running, hiking, playing football and recovering with a good pizza afterwards!
Cécile Demarez
Administrative Assistant
Cécile is currently studying medicine at the University of Strasbourg. In the lab and besides her studies, she is working on administrative and organizational tasks.
Outside the lab, Cécile likes to play badminton and explore the beautiful nature of Switzerland.
Dr. Johannes Tossounidis
Project Leader
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Tatjana Gremelspacher
PhD Student
Tatjana began her scientific journey studying Biology at the University of Freiburg, where she completed her bachelor's thesis in virology. She continued working in the same lab as a student assistant while pursuing her master’s degree in immunobiology at the University of Freiburg. In January 2024, she joined the BCIM lab in Basel for her master’s thesis, just as the lab was launching. Her project focused on lipid metabolism and FLT3-ITD signaling in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), during which she identified a lipid of interest that is deregulated in the context of FLT3-ITD signaling. After completing her thesis, she spent some months at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore in the lab of Erika Pearce, where she focused on T cell metabolism and amino acid dynamics.
Despite thoroughly enjoying her time in the U.S. (and developing a minor obsession with Reese’s), Tatjana returned to Basel to begin her PhD, where she is continuing her work on lipid signaling in AML. When she’s not in the lab, you’ll likely find her at the gym, or spending time with her family and friends.
Hui Hao-Shen
Lab Technician
I studied medicine in China and have been working for many years as a technician in the Experimental Hematology group within the Department of Biomedicine. I joined the lab in 2024. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work in the field of translational medicine research. In my spare time, I truly enjoy the magnificent Alps, the charming lakes, and the tranquil natural beauty of Switzerland.
Simon Herrenschmidt
Master Student Medicine
Simon is a medical student at the Faculty of Medicine in Basel, currently completing his master’s thesis at the BCIM. Building on Tatjana’s work on lipid metabolism in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), he focuses on lipids that act as signaling molecules and how they contribute to disease mechanisms. After his state examination, Simon plans to pursue a career in paediatrics while remaining involved in academic and experimental research. He is particularly fascinated by paediatric oncology, where the opportunity to help cure patients is a strong driving force for him. He is also drawn to medicine because it combines teamwork, patient interaction, and scientific curiosity. Outside the lab, Simon is a guide scout in Allschwil, practices martial arts, plays the bass guitar, and enjoys spending time with friends.
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Jerneja Koren
PhD Student
Jerneja studied Immunology and Pharmacology at the University of Aberdeen in the far northeast of Scotland. For her master’s research project, she moved to the Biozentrum in Basel, where she investigated the role of coronin 2 and 3 in mammalian cells. Captivated by both the science and the city, she decided to return to Switzerland (and Basel) and pursue her PhD in the Apostolova lab. Motivated by her passion for immunology, Jerneja now studies how metabolic rewiring in AML cells shapes the bone marrow environment and influences surrounding non-leukemic cells, often with the help of metabolomics. When she is not busy trying to untangle LC-MS data, you will likely find her running, swimming in the Rhine, or baking the perfect sourdough loaf.
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Michal Remen
MD-PhD Student
Michal is a student in the lab currently doing his doctoral thesis. He studied medicine in Basel and Paris. During his master’s, he researched erythropoietin variants and their regulation. In his current research, he’s investigating how T cell activation can be modified and how this could serve to tackle GvHD. Michal is fascinated by disease development and health maintenance, and enjoys understanding processes at a molecular level. He also appreciates the humanistic aspect of medicine and the interaction with patients. This is why he wants to become a haematologist, which combines all these aspects and is fascinated by translational research which can bring real-life benefits to the bedside. In his free time, Michal enjoys spending time with family and friends, doing sports, or reading a good book. You can also find him chilling in nature and enjoying culture in the city.
Anthony Sonrel
Bioinformatician
Anthony joined the BCIM Lab in 2025 as a Bioinformatician. He studied Biology and Bioinformatics at the University of Lausanne and completed a PhD in Statistical Genetics at the University of Zurich in the Robinson Lab. He has worked on diverse analysis projects in both academia and the pharmaceutical industry, ranging from studying obesity through population genetics to developing algorithms for single-cell analysis.
At the BCIM Lab, Anthony oversees the generation, analysis, and interpretation of omics data to better understand AML mechanisms. Among his projects, he focuses on integrating multi-omics data and translating statistical signals into meaningful biological findings. He brings his fascination with AI, intuitive UI design, and reproducibility into the code he develops for the lab.
Felix Theiss
PhD Student
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Tim-Llywelyn Isaac Leonhardt
Trainee
I‘m in my last year of the FMS and I‘m doing my internship in the lab. I‘m interested in Biology and Medicine, but I‘m aspiring to become a professional Golfplayer. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to work in research. In my spare time you’ll find me on the golfcourse, running or spending time with family and friends.
Alumni
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Giuliana Dri Burkert - Bachelor Student
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Dr. Eileen Haring - Post doc
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Darja Hessel - Master Student