Maren Claus

Dr. Maren Claus serves as a Research Fellow in the Department of Immunology at Technical University of Dortmund, conducting research at the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IFADO) in Dortmund under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Carsten Watzl. Her position as Scientific Associate places her within IFADO's Immunology research division, focusing on immune modulation and immune physiology with direct contact number +49 231 1084-232.

Dr. Claus's research program centers on the intricate relationship between the immune and nervous systems, with particular expertise in natural killer (NK) cell biology. Her work investigates how stress responses modulate immune function, examining NK cell degranulation patterns, receptor signaling (particularly β2-adrenergic receptors), and adaptations during viral infections like SARS-CoV-2. Through collaborations with multidisciplinary teams across psychology, neuroscience, and clinical medicine, she explores both fundamental mechanisms of immune regulation and translational applications including CAR-T cell therapy for autoimmune conditions. Her methodological approach spans cellular immunology techniques, psychophysiological measurements, and population-level studies of immune aging.

Analysis of Dr. Claus's recent publication record reveals a cohesive research trajectory examining neuroimmune interactions across multiple contexts. Her 2023-2025 work demonstrates increasing sophistication in connecting molecular immune mechanisms with systemic physiological outcomes, particularly regarding stress responses and viral immunity. The publications show consistent collaboration with Prof. Watzl's group while also extending to clinical researchers studying autoimmune diseases and occupational health outcomes. This interdisciplinary approach positions her work at the intersection of basic immunology, clinical applications, and occupational medicine.

Dr. Claus actively participates in IFADO's research infrastructure as part of the Immunology team led by Prof. Watzl, contributing to the institute's mission of understanding workplace-environment interactions with human physiology. Her laboratory work focuses on cellular immunology techniques to study NK cell function, receptor signaling, and immune-stress interactions, utilizing flow cytometry, cell culture, and molecular analysis methods. The research has implications for understanding immune responses in occupational settings, stress-related health outcomes, and novel immunotherapies.