Helen May-Simera

Professor Dr. Helen May-Simera is a distinguished cell biologist and molecular physiologist at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, specializing in cilia research. She leads an active research group focused on understanding the function of primary cilia - cellular organelles crucial for cell communication that, when dysfunctional, lead to serious human diseases known as ciliopathies. Appointed as a full professor in 2021 after receiving the prestigious Sofya Kovalevskaya Award in 2014, she has established herself as a leading researcher in the field of cilia biology, particularly in eye and kidney cell research.

Dr. May-Simera's research interests span multiple areas of cell biology and disease mechanisms:

• Primary cilia structure, function, and dynamics
• Molecular mechanisms of ciliopathies, particularly Bardet-Biedl Syndrome
• Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) development and function
• Gene and cell therapies for ciliary-related diseases
• Cell signaling through primary cilia
• Extracellular vesicle communication in ciliary disorders

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on understanding how cilia dysfunction leads to visual impairments and other systemic diseases. Her research team has made significant contributions to understanding cilia's role in retinal development and degeneration, with several important findings published in high-impact journals like PLoS Biology, EMBO Journal, and Nature Communications. The research shows an evolving trend from basic cilia biology toward translational applications and potential therapies for ciliopathies.

Among her notable scientific achievements is the Sofya Kovalevskaya Award in 2014, which enabled her to establish her own research group. Her work has been supported by various funding initiatives including the DFG-funded Priority Programme SPP 2127 focused on treating rare eye diseases, the Research Training Group GenEvo, and the FORTHEM Alliance.

As an educator and mentor, Dr. May-Simera actively supervises numerous PhD, Master's, and Bachelor students, with a current team of 11 PhD students, 2 Master's students, and 1 Bachelor student. She is deeply committed to training the next generation of scientists and has served on the Steering Committee of the Gutenberg Teaching College and as Chair of the Study Program Q+. Her laboratory participates in several collaborative networks including SPP2127, RTG GenEvo, and FOR5546 "Ciliary Dynamics," reflecting her strong engagement in the broader scientific community.