Corinne Benakis

Dr. Corinne Benakis is an independent group leader at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) of Ludwig Maximilians University Munich. Her research focuses on the Gut-Brain Axis, Neuroimmunology, and Stroke Pathophysiology, with a particular emphasis on how gut microbiota-derived metabolites and immune cells influence stroke outcomes and post-stroke comorbidities.

Education:

• PhD in Neuroscience (2011), University of Lausanne, Switzerland
• Master in Biochemistry (2005), University of Geneva
• Master internship in Neuroscience (2006), University of Queensland, Australia

Her lab employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining metabolomics, metagenomics, flow cytometry, and transgenic mouse models to explore the bidirectional communication between the gut microbiome and the brain. Recent publications highlight her work on microbiota analysis toolboxes, environmental toxins, and T cell-microglia interactions in stroke recovery.

Scientific Awards & Fellowships:

• SyNergy Postdoc Award (2020)
• ImmunoStroke Postdoc Female Award (2020-2021)
• Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship (2016-2020)
• Swiss National Science Foundation Fellowship (2012-2016)
• PhD Excellence Prize, Amicitia Foundation (2011)

Research Collaborations & Grants: She has secured funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG), including a grant for her lab (2019-2022), and contributes to collaborative projects like the Transregional Collaborative Research Centre TRR 355 and ERA-NET Neuron.