Carsten Watzl

Professor Carsten Watzl serves as Head of the Research Department for Immune Modulation and Immune Physiology at the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) in Dortmund, Germany, and holds a professorship in Immunology at the Technical University of Dortmund since 2011. His leadership extends to prominent roles including Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the German Rheumatism Research Center since 2022 and Member of the Board (Treasurer) of the European Federation of Immunological Societies for 2025-2027.

• Professor at Technical University of Dortmund (2011-present)
• Head of Research Department at IfADo, Dortmund
• Chairman of Scientific Advisory Board at German Rheumatism Research Center (2022-present)
• Secretary General of German Society for Immunology (2013-2024)

Professor Watzl completed his biology studies at the University of Heidelberg (1991-1995), followed by doctoral research at the German Cancer Research Center (1995-1998). His postdoctoral training included work at the National Institutes of Health in the USA (1999-2002) before returning to Heidelberg University for habilitation (2004) and serving as Junior Research Group Leader (2002-2011).

Watzl's research program centers on natural killer (NK) cell biology, with particular emphasis on NK cell activation mechanisms, serial killing capacity, and metabolic regulation of immune function. His laboratory investigates how NK cells recognize and eliminate target cells, with recent work focusing on the metabolic requirements for NK cell function, the impact of chronic stimulation on receptor responses, and the role of NK cells in viral infections including SARS-CoV-2. His team has made significant contributions to understanding how glycolysis restriction affects NK cell cytotoxicity and how neurotransmitters regulate NK cell activity.

Analysis of Professor Watzl's recent publications reveals a strong focus on translational immunology with clear clinical relevance. His work spans fundamental NK cell biology to applications in cancer immunotherapy, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections. A notable trend is the integration of metabolic studies with immune cell function, examining how cellular metabolism influences immune responses. His research group has consistently published in high-impact immunology journals, with increasing emphasis on human immunology and clinical correlations in recent years.

Professor Watzl has received several prestigious awards recognizing his contributions to immunology:

• BdKom Prize 2022 for 'Watzl-Weekly' - a project providing accessible information about Corona vaccination
• Klaus-Georg and Sigrid Hengstberger Prize from the University of Heidelberg (2006)
• Robert Koch Postdoctoral Award (2003)
• Roche Molecular Biochemicals Award from the German Society for Cell Biology (2000)
• Walther and Christine Ritzenhain Prize for best doctoral thesis in cancer research (1999)

As an active member of the immunology community, Professor Watzl has secured significant third-party funding for his research, including leadership roles in the Leibniz Research Alliance 'Immune-Mediated Diseases' (2021-2024) and the DFG Priority Programme 'Innate Lymphoid Cells' (2016-2019). His laboratory at IfADo maintains strong collaborations with clinical researchers, particularly in the areas of rheumatology and infectious diseases, translating basic immunological findings into potential clinical applications.

The Watzl laboratory operates within the Immunology Department at IfADo, a research center focused on the interface between work environment and human health. His team employs advanced techniques in cellular immunology, including high-resolution microscopy, flow cytometry, and functional assays to study NK cell biology. The research group maintains active collaborations with both national and international partners, contributing to a vibrant research environment focused on understanding fundamental immune mechanisms with translational potential.