Susanne Fenz

Susanne Fenz is a physicist and Junior Group Leader at the University of Würzburg’s Biocenter, leading the Chair of Cell and Developmental Biology. Her research focuses on membrane biophysics and biomimetic systems, with expertise in single-molecule microscopy and trypanosome biology.

Education: Physics degrees from University of Würzburg and Heidelberg, PhD (2009, University of Bonn) in membrane biophysics at Research Center Jülich. Postdoctoral work at Leiden University (2009–2012) with Thomas Schmidt, followed by her current role in Würzburg since 2012.

Research interests include biomimetic model systems for cell adhesion, membrane dynamics of African trypanosomes, and super-resolution microscopy. Her group develops novel optical techniques, such as super-resolution imaging of fast-moving flagellates, to study VSG coat dynamics and lipid membrane interactions. Current work explores the paradoxical dual properties of the VSG coat (high density and dynamic mobility) and its regulation via membrane fluctuations and the narrow escape problem (NEP).

Publications span membrane biophysics, microscopy innovations, and trypanosome biology. Collaborations include Engstler, Carrington, and Smith on interdisciplinary projects. No awards explicitly listed, but active in grants via her group leadership. Advises graduate students in biophysics and cell biology.