Felicia Gerst

Felicia Gerst is a Senior Scientist at the Helmholtz Diabetes Center and the Institute for Diabetes and Obesity (IDM). She earned her Habilitation at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen, in 2019, following postdoctoral and doctoral fellowships at the University Hospital Tübingen and the Graduate School GRK1302/2. Her research focuses on beta-cell biology, insulin secretion, and the interplay between pancreatic adipose tissue and metabolic diseases.

• Education & Career
  • Habilitation (2019), Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen
  • Postdoctoral Fellow (2007–2019), Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen
  • Doctoral Fellow (2004–2007), Institute of Physiology, University of Tübingen

Dr. Gerst's research spans beta-cell function, insulin secretion dynamics, and pancreatic fat cell activity in health and disease. Her work integrates endocrinology, molecular biology, and diabetes pathophysiology, with recent studies exploring incretin-responsive organoids and free fatty acid receptor mechanisms.

Her publications highlight trends in pancreatic adiposity, islet-adipose interactions, and hepatokine signaling in beta-cell dysfunction. Awards include the HUMAIN Award (InSphero, Switzerland) for functional organoid models.

• Scientific Awards
  • HUMAIN Award (InSphero, Switzerland)

Dr. Gerst leads the Islet Facility, contributing to networks like the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) and European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Grants include DDG Grant (2023) and DZD Grant (2018–2019).