Ulrike Hendgen-Cotta

Prof. Dr. Ulrike Hendgen-Cotta is a full Professor and Head of the CardioScienceLabs (CSL) at the Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital Essen, affiliated with the University of Duisburg-Essen. She is a key member of the West German Heart and Vascular Center and the Zentrum für Molekulare Biomedizin (ZMB), where her research focuses on translational cardiovascular science. Her work is central to the DFG Research Training Group 2989 (RTG 2989), which investigates cellular interfaces in reperfused acute myocardial infarction.

Her research interests include mitochondrial dysfunction, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, cardioprotection, onco-cardiology, lipotoxicity, and cell death mechanisms in the myocardium. She explores the interplay between immune cells, vascular cells, and cardiomyocytes, particularly focusing on macrophage biology and mitochondrial clearance in cardiac repair processes.

The recent publications highlight her work in 3D imaging of myocardial injury, mitochondrial protection, and immune modulation in cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. Her research bridges basic science and clinical application following the 'bed-to-bench-to-bed' principle, with strong emphasis on translational outcomes.

She has been recognized with the Ernst von Wnuck Foundation Research Prize for her pioneering research in mitochondrial protection.

Prof. Hendgen-Cotta leads interdisciplinary teams at the CardioScienceLabs, mentoring early-career researchers and contributing to doctoral training programs. She collaborates with clinicians and basic scientists across institutions, including the Leibniz Institute for Analytical Sciences (ISAS) in Dortmund. Her lab is involved in projects related to macrophage polarization, mitochondrial remodeling, and perfusion strategies in heart transplantation.

She is actively engaged in research infrastructure, including patient cohorts supervised by the Cardiac Trial Unit (CTU), and contributes to educational initiatives such as graduate seminars, guest lectures, and the 'Meet the Expert' series at the University Hospital Essen.