Angelika Harbauer

Angelika Harbauer is a Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) School of Medicine and a Max Planck Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence. Her research focuses on mitochondrial biogenesis and neuronal metabolism, particularly mechanisms of mitochondrial quality control in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.

• Studied Molecular Medicine at University of Freiburg (Diploma) and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
• PhD in Biochemistry at Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg (2009-2014)
• Postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital (2015-2019)

Key research areas include mitochondrial RNA transport, AMPK/insulin signaling in neurons, and local protein synthesis for mitochondrial repair. Her work explores how mitochondrial plasticity intersects with synaptic function and neurodegeneration.

Recent publications address mitochondrial hitchhiking of mRNAs, fluorogenic imaging probes, and regulation of mitophagy through kinase activity. Trends show emphasis on neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and mitochondrial-nuclear communication.

Scientific honors include the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship, Bayer-Healthcare Award, and Barbara-Hobom Award. She leads the Neurometabolism Research Group at Max Planck Institute, focusing on mitochondrial health in neurons and its implications for brain function.