Congratulation to Luise Janusch!
We are happy to announce the successful defense of Luise's doctoral thesis! The topic was the establishment of a 3D model for pemphigus vulgaris, using fibroblasts and keratinocytes to grow skin equivalents.
Sarah is now Dr. rer. nat. Stenger
Over the last years, she worked on the topic of “Exploring the pre-disease phase of autoimmunity in lupus-prone mouse models” and defended her thesis successfully on November 3rd 2025 -
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Vero!
On October 30th 2025, she defended her thesis on the principle of the pathogenesis of Pemhigus vulgaris successfully. Well done!
Congratulations to Leon!
He successfully defended his thesis on autantibody clonotype tracking and subsequent pathogenicity testing in a murine model aof autoimmune skin disease.
We wish him all the best for his future scientific career!
Congratulation to Daniel Mehlberg
He defended his thesis successfully across the ocean!
We wish him all the best!
Swayanka is now Dr. rer. nat. Biswas!
Swayanka Biswas defended her doctoral thesis on the topic of B cell activation in murine lupus successfully in the beginning of October!
Congratulations!
Congratulations to now Dr. rer. nat. Saurabh!
In September, Rochi defended her thesis on comprehensive genetic and comorbidity profiling of autoimmune disease utilizing data sets from UK Biobank, TriNetX and Global Data.
Good luck and all the best to her!
Jovan Schanzenbacher defended his doctoral thesis successfully
We congratulate him on his successful defense of his thesis on “The C5aR2 pathway as a novel checkpoint for B cell activation in autoimmunity”!
We wish him all the best for his future research career!
First defence of an associated PhD
On 25th July 2025, Sen Guo became the first associate PhD who completed his doctorate.
Congratulations!!
We wish him all the best for the future, here, too, it remains exciting to see where his path will lead him.
Second PhD defence in the first generation
On 18th July 2025, Justus Ohmes, the second PhD from the first RTG generation successfully defended his doctoral thesis.
We are delighted and wish Justis all the best for the future. We are very excited to see where his next steps will take him.
Congratulations!!
Posterwalk with Prof. Spindler
It was a pleasure to host Prof. Volker Spindler from the UKE. Our discussions around project posters were both stimulating and insightful, and his DLS talk offered a fascinating glimpse into his research.
Pint of Science - May 2025
The popular international festival for science communication took place in Lübeck for the fourth time and attracted numerous Lübeck residents to the sold-out pubs.
Posterwalk with Prof. Vidarsson
We were delighted to welcome Prof. Gestur Vidarsson from the Netherlands. His visit sparked engaging discussions around project posters, and his DLS presentation offered us valuable insights into his research.
Joint Spring Retreat RTG2633 x CRC1526
This year's spring retreat took place on 25th and 26th March 2025 and this time together with the CRC1526 “Pathomechanisms of Antibody-mediated Autoimmunity (PANTAU) - Insights from Pemphigoid Diseases”, also from the campus Lübeck.
We had two great days with six great guest talks, inspiring poster walks and a good time together in the large group.
Third medical graduation in the RTG
The RTG fellow Cristian Papara, defended his dissertation successfully on 14th January 2025. He is the therefore third person to receive his medical doctorate in our RTG.
Congratulations!!!
First PhD defence in the first generation
On 27th September 2024, the first PhD from the first RTG generation, Jana Buhre successfully defended her doctoral thesis.
We are delighted and wish her all the best for the future. We are very excited to see where her path will take her.
Congratulations!!
International Congress on Autoimmune Pre-Disease
The International Congress on Autoimmune Pre-Disease took place from 16.09. - 17.09.2024 in the Audimax Lübeck. We had a great congress, with exciting talks and posters, lively scientific exchange and a good atmosphere.
Thanks to all participants for their efforts and for this great event, we are already looking forward to the next time!
International Congress on Autoimmune Pre-Disease
Join the International Congress on Autoimmune Pre-Disease from September 16-17, 2024, in Lübeck to explore groundbreaking insights on early intervention and prevention in autoimmunity. Engage with experts through discussions, networking, and a scenic river boat cruise, advancing research and connections in autoimmune diseases.
Venue: Audimax, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23560 Lübeck, Germany
Registration & Abstract submission: Please register by filling the registration form here.
DAAD - Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP)
The graduate program "Autoimmune Pre-Disease" at the University of Lübeck has received funding from the DAAD to offer international PhD scholarships through the Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP). This will support research on autoimmune disease predisposition, including the role of aging. The program aims to strengthen international collaboration and enhance the university’s global visibility.
DAAD RISE Students expand our RTG this summer
This summer we are once again hosting DAAD RISE scholarship holders from Canada, the USA and England.
Welcome, we are delighted to have you with us!
Second Graduation within the RTG
The RTG fellow Jianrui Zheng, defended his dissertation successfully on May 24th, 2024. He is the therefore second person to receive his medical doctorate in our RTG.
After his time within our RTG he started working within the Department of Cardiology in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China.
Congratulations!!!
Posterwalk with Prof. Christian Vestergaard
16.05.2024
The GRK 2633 would like to thank Prof. Christian Vestergaard for a wonderful and interesting day.
Spring Retreat 2024
26 March 2024
Our third spring retreat took place at Fraunhofer IMTE. Many thanks to everyone who took part and a special thank you to our two guests Annika Raschdorf and Stefanie Derer-Petersen. It was a pleasure for us to have you there.
First Graduation within the RTG
David Aldo De Luca Laredo, RTG fellow from May 2022 - April 2023, defended his dissertation successfully on March 19th, 2024.
He is the first person to receive his doctorate in our RTG.
Congratulations!!!
RTG 2633
Autoimmune Pre-Disease
We are happy to announce that our GRK 2633 started!
“The best way to move the world forward is by trusting innovative new ideas.” Edgar E. Schein in conversation with C. Otto Scharmer
Posterwalk with Dr. Jolien Suurmond
9.11.2023
The GRK 2633 would like to thank Dr. Jolien Suurmond for a wonderful and interesting day.
Autum Retreat Neumünster 4.10.2023 - 5.10.2023
We spent our Autum Retreat in the modern Hotel Stahlwerk Neumünster. Interesting presentations, many motivating words and an intensive professional exchange made the two days perfect.
A big thank you to all the guest speakers, lecturers and everyone who took part.
Posterwalk with Dr. Julie Lasselin
07.09.2023
A big thank you goes to Dr. Julie Lasselin, who helped our RTG 2633 to organize a wonderful and interesting day.
Posterwalk with Dr. Veronique Witko-Sarsat
6.07.2023
Many thanks for the highly interesting guest lecture, Dr. Witko-Sarsat. RTG 2633 had an informative and sunny poster walk.
RTG 2633 Autumn Retreat
Impressions from our very successful RTG 2633 Autumn Retreat at the Vitalia Seehotel in Bad Segeberg, Germany
Posterwalk with Prof. Angelica Winter Boldt
23 June 2022
In beautiful weather our PhD students could have some impressive moments with Prof. Winter Boldt
Posterwalk with Prof. Eliane Müller
06 June 2022
Thank you very much for the great days with you!
Posterwalk with Prof. Jens Waschke
05 May 2022
Many thanks to Prof. Waschke for the great exchange and the great atmosphere!
Pint of Science
May 2022 - The popular international festival for science communication was held in Lübeck, drawing large crowds of locals to the sold-out pubs.
Shootingdays with Thomas Waldner and Team
(March and April 2022)
A big thank you to Thomas Waldner and his team, who accompanied our RTG 2633 PhD students professionally and super arranged through three and a half days of shooting...
Here are a few impressions for you...
Spring Retreat
29 March 2022
Our Spring Retreat in Presence was a great success!
Many thanks to all the participants
Application for DAAD GSSP stipend 2026
We are searching for a highly motivated M.Sc. graduate in the life sciences for a PhD project
The project is funded by a DAAD GSSP stipend and embedded in the RTG2633 here at the University of Lübeck. It focuses on the investigation of the influence of shift work on the development of lupus erythematosus in lupus prone mice. T cell compartments will be investigated, as well as other organs and their change over the course of time. The findings will support the development of targeted therapies for early intervention in progression of autoimmune blistering diseases. The position requires a finished M.Sc. in the life sciences.
For application, please contact the RTG coordination office (veronika.hartmann(at)uksh.de). A simple CV is sufficient at this stage.
Application deadline: December 31st, 2025
Planned project start: February 2026
Application for MD scholarships
Application deadline: 1 February 2026
- Starting date: 1 April 2026 for a total of 6 - 12 months.
- Medical students qualify
- Application open, information on projects and principal investigators on this website
- Submit application (with project description minimum 3 maximum 5 pages) to the RTG Office in one PDF
Application must include:
- Letter of motivation
- Project description (in consultation with your potential supervisor)
- Curriculum vitae
- Abitur certificate or equivalent
- University certificates, incl. physicum grade
Upcoming RTG Events
Spring Retreat:
Tue. 17.02.2026
(Fraunhofer Institute Lübeck)
Guests: tba
