SD

Current Company

Active Motif SA

Current Focus

Making Epigenetics Accessible — Through Podcast Conversations & Tech Support

About

I am a PhD-trained scientist with a strong background in Epigenetics and nearly a decade of experience bridging the gap between life science research and strategic communication. After earning my PhD from the University of Regensburg in 2016, I joined Active Motif, where I currently serve as a Scientific Consultant and Podcast Host within the Marketing Department.

At Active Motif, I work at the intersection of science and communication — translating complex epigenetics topics for a broad audience. I initiated and produce The Epigenetics Podcasts, a podcast that features Key Opinion Leaders in the field of Epigenetics and highlights cutting-edge research. In addition to content development, I work extensively with Salesforce.com to manage customer engagement, including quote generation, case handling, dashboard reporting, and content marekting campaigns.

Driven by curiosity and a focus on optimization, I apply AI tools to enhance efficiency and clarity in both professional and personal projects. In my current role, I’ve used AI-assisted Python scripting to automate routine processes and improve team workflows. One example is a sales data analysis tool I developed for Key Account Managers, which presents performance KPIs in a clear, browser-based dashboard—supporting better strategic decisions.

As a seven-time major marathon finisher (including New York, Berlin, and London), I bring proven endurance and goal-oriented persistence to complex, long-term professional challenges. This same dedication drives my side projects, including a Python App I built to catalog and hopefully bag all peaks in the Bavarian Forest. This project combines data visualization and Python scripting with my passion for trail running and is now integrated into my personal running website, demonstrating my ability to merge technical skills with personal interests to create innovative solutions.

Latest Content

How Chromatin Marks Shape Transcription Factor Function (Luke Isbel)

In this episode we speak with Luke Isbell, Senior Research Fellow and group leader at Adelaide University and the South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute. We discuss his work on transcription factors, chromatin, and how epigenetic marks on histones can influence transcription factor binding and function, with a focus on p53 and chromatin-based ways its activity can be silenced in cancer cells. We also talk about how he became interested in biology, starting from growing…

Epigenetics Podcast

Wildcard Series Recap 2026

Liebe Baseballgemeinde, willkommen zum Rückblick auf die Wild Card Series in der Major League Baseball. Die Wild Card Serien haben schon mal viel von dem gehalten was man sich davon versprochen hatte, auch wenn nur eine Serie über die volle Distanz ging. Now let's get into it. Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves (1-2) Die Phillies hatten es erst im letzten Spiel der Saison in die Wild Card Round geschafft, nachdem sie eine 6.5 Spiele…

Inside The Dugout - Blogposts

Regensburg Halbmarathon 2026

<p>Für den Frühjahr 2026 hatte ich mir als Ziel mal wieder einen Halbmarathon vorgenommen. Die letzten Jahre, seit COVID und der Geburt der Kinder, waren vor allem von kürzeren Distanzen (5k, 10k) geprägt, um mich langsam wieder an den Halbmarathon ranzutasten. Da der Herzogstadtlauf in Straubing dieses Jahr Mitte Juni stattfindet und ich, um ehrlich zu sein, etwas Bedenken wegen der Hitze hatte/habe, habe ich mich für den Regensburg Halbmarathon am 17. Mai entschieden,…

raincastle.blog

Why Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) Remains a Cornerstone of Epigenetics (Epigenetics Podcast Insights - Part 1)

Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) remains a cornerstone of epigenetics because it uniquely captures in vivo protein–DNA interactions with high specificity and genome-wide scope, evolving from a low-throughput assay into a foundational technology for epigenome mapping. Decades of innovation—spanning improved fixation, fragmentation, automation, and powerful variants like ChIP-seq, CUT&RUN, re-ChIP, and ChIP-DIP—have expanded its reach to low-input, high-throughput, single-cell, and clinical applications, ensuring its continued central role in chromatin biology and precision medicine. Read the blog to…

Epigenetics Podcast Insights

Skills

On the Job

  • Customer-Centricity
  • Customer Experience
  • Digital Marketing
  • Brand Awareness

Software

  • Salesforce.com
  • Office 365
  • Visual Studio Code
  • FileMaker

Languages

  • German (native)
  • English (fluent)

Other Skills

  • Static Site Generation (11ty)
  • Nunjucks
  • Tailwind CSS
  • Python
  • AI Prompt Engineering
  • LaTeX
  • Markdown
  • Git

Soft Skills

  • Teamwork
  • Independent Work
  • Reliability
  • Intrinsically Motivated

Work

Active Motif SA

Podcast Host & Scientific Consultant
- Present

Université Laval, Québec City, Canada

Visiting Scientist
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University of Regensburg

Research Associate
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Publications

The nucleolus-associated genome is largely maintained in cellular senescence, but its chromatin composition gets remodeled

PLoS One. 2017 Jun 2;12(6):e0178821. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0178821. PMID:28575119; PMCID:PMC5456395

Quantitative Immunofluorescence Analysis of Nucleolus-Associated Chromatin

Methods Mol Biol. 2016;1455:59-69. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3792-9_5. PMID: 27576710

Analysis of histone posttranslational modifications from nucleolus-associated chromatin by mass spectrometry

Methods Mol Biol. 2014;1094:277-93. doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-706-8_22. PMID: 24162996

Education

Doctoral Candidate

Biochemistry Center Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany

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Master of Science, Biochemistry

University of Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany

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Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry

University of Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

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