Ana Zenclussen

Prof. Ana Zenclussen is a leading figure in environmental and reproductive immunology, currently serving as a W3 Professor at the Medical Faculty of Leipzig University and as Head of the Department of Environmental Immunology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ in Leipzig, Germany. Since July 2020, she has led a multidisciplinary team investigating how environmental chemicals and endocrine disruptors affect the immune system, pregnancy, and child health.

Education & Career:

• 1990–1996: Studied Biochemistry, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Argentina
• 1996–2001: PhD (Dr. rer. nat.), University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
• 2001–2003: Postdoc & Alexander von Humboldt Fellow, Charité, Berlin
• 2003–2007: Team Leader, Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité
• 2007–2020: W2 Professor, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg
• Since 2020: W3 Professor, Leipzig University & Head of Dept., UFZ Leipzig

Research Focus:

Her work centers on how environmental chemicals—especially endocrine disruptors—interact with the immune system to influence pregnancy outcomes, fetal development, and long-term child health. She uses mouse models, human cohorts, and in vitro 3D systems to study:

• Immune tolerance during pregnancy
• Effects of bisphenols, phthalates, PFAS, and other EDCs
• Epigenetic programming and childhood disease risk
• COVID-19 and pregnancy immunity

Projects & Grants:

• ENDOMIX (2024–2027): EU-funded flagship project on EDC mixtures and immune-mediated disease
• LE-REP (2023–2026): BMBF-funded Leipzig Reproductive Health Research Center
• SaxoChiLD (2024–2026): German Center for Child & Adolescent Health (DZKJ)
• DFG ZE 526/16-1 (2020–2025): Endocrine disruptors and innate immune cells in reproduction

Scientific Awards:

• American Journal of Reproductive Immunology Award – highest honor from ASRI for outstanding contributions to reproductive immunology
• Elected Vice President of the American Society for Reproductive Immunology (ASRI)

Team & Mentorship:

Prof. Zenclussen leads a vibrant group of postdocs, PhD students, and clinician-scientists. Her lab fosters interdisciplinary research spanning immunology, toxicology, omics technologies, and public health translation. She actively mentors students and early-career researchers, with several receiving awards at international conferences.