University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfGermany
Prof. Dr. med. Franz Lennard Ricklefs is a Senior Physician and Head of the Working Group at the Department of Neurosurgery, University of Hamburg Faculty of Medicine. He is a Medical Specialist in Neurosurgery with cross-disciplinary expertise in neuro-oncology, molecular pathology, and extracellular vesicle research. Affiliations: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS), International Consortium on Meningiomas (ICOM) Research Interests: His work focuses on neurosurgical oncology, particularly glioblastoma and meningioma pathobiology. He investigates DNA methylation patterns, extracellular vesicle biomarkers, and liquid biopsy implementation in clinical neuro-oncology. Additional interests include surgical outcomes for epilepsy and aneurysm management. Article Trends: Over the last decade, Dr. Ricklefs has published extensively on: Extracellular vesicle applications as liquid biopsy markers DNA methylation subclasses for glioblastoma and meningioma Multicenter surgical outcome benchmarking Immune evasion mechanisms in neuro-oncology Technological innovations in neurosurgical visualization Molecular characterization of rare CNS tumors Professional Contributions: He co-authored the MISEV2023 guidelines for extracellular vesicle studies and participates in international consensus reviews for meningioma classification. His collaborations span institutions across Europe and North America.
Cornelius Faber is a University Professor in the Department of Radiology at the University of Münster, Germany, where he leads the Experimental Nuclear Magnetic Resonance research group. His work focuses on developing and implementing novel MRI techniques that extend the boundaries of magnetic resonance imaging in terms of spatial and temporal resolution, sensitivity, and specificity for physiological, structural, and molecular changes. He actively participates in the "Cells in Motion" interdisciplinary research initiative at the university. Professor Faber's research spans multiple critical areas in medical imaging and biomedical science. His primary expertise lies in MRI cell tracking , enabling visualization of cellular dynamics in vivo. He has made significant contributions to infection imaging , developing methods to detect and characterize microbial infections using MRI. His work on MR methodology development has advanced quantitative imaging techniques, while his research on multimodal integration in MR and MRI contrast mechanisms has provided deeper insights into molecular and cellular processes. His research bridges physics, engineering, and biomedical applications, with particular relevance to inflammation, cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular disease. Analysis of Professor Faber's extensive publication record reveals a clear evolution from fundamental MRI technique development toward increasingly sophisticated applications in disease models. His recent work demonstrates a strong trend toward multimodal imaging approaches that combine MRI with complementary techniques such as mass spectrometry, optical imaging, and PET. This integration creates comprehensive diagnostic platforms that provide both anatomical and molecular information. A notable pattern is the focus on cellular dynamics, particularly immune cell behavior in inflammatory conditions and tumor microenvironments, with applications spanning neuroscience, oncology, and cardiology. Professor Faber leads a multidisciplinary research team of approximately 15 members, including scientists, doctoral students, technicians, and medical students. His laboratory is deeply integrated with the University of Münster's research infrastructure, particularly the Multiscale Imaging Centre. The group's work contributes significantly to advancing preclinical MRI methodologies while maintaining strong clinical relevance, with numerous publications in high-impact journals across medical imaging, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering disciplines.
University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfGermany
Michael Hahn is a researcher at the Institute of Osteology and Biomechanics within the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. His work focuses on orthopedic surgery, biomechanics, and medical engineering, particularly in skeletal regeneration and implant stability. Research Interests : Orthopedic biomechanics, bone regeneration, trauma surgery, implantology, and medical technology. Publication Trends highlight interdisciplinary research at the intersection of orthopedics, dentistry, and radiation physics. His work includes studies on allograft integration, pedicle screw stability, transverse tarsal arch mechanics, and radiation effects on bone integrity. Collaborative projects often involve multiscale characterization of biomaterials and clinical translation of implant designs. Infrastructure Affiliation : Linked to UKE's Core Facilities , including research animal husbandry and specialized laboratories. Part of the Neuro-Immune Network Hamburg alliance.
Prof. Dr. Stephanie E. Combs is a leading academic in Radiation Oncology at Technische Universität München (TUM), holding the position of Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology. She also serves as the Dean of the TUM Faculty of Medicine since 2022. Her expertise spans highly conformal radiation therapy techniques (e.g., IMRT/IGRT/ART, proton, and carbon ion therapy), with a focus on brain and skull base tumors, pediatric oncology, gastrointestinal oncology, and biomarker-driven therapies. Prof. Combs studied medicine in Heidelberg and the United States, completed postdoctoral training in Heidelberg, and became Vice Chair of Radiation Oncology there before joining TUM in 2014. She has held leadership roles, including heading the TUM Senate from 2019 to 2022. Her research emphasizes precision medicine, radiation biology, and translational radiotherapy innovations. Her awards include the Basic/Translational Senior Science Award (2019), Robert Janker Award (2012), and multiple honors from German and international radiation oncology societies. Her work bridges clinical practice and research, with contributions to guidelines on target delineation for glioblastoma and skull base tumors. Prof. Combs’ publications focus on advancing radiation techniques, radiomics, and personalized therapy, with over 300 peer-reviewed articles. She leads initiatives in education, including a Master of Science program in Radiation Biology, and collaborates internationally in translational research.
Amir Manbachi is an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University with dual appointments in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Whiting School of Engineering . He co-directs the HEPIUS Innovation Lab , focusing on wearable and implantable medical ultrasound technologies for spinal cord injury and brain tumor monitoring. He is the engineering co-PI for a $13.48M DoD grant and has mentored over 170 students. Academic Appointments: Departments of Neurosurgery, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Biomedical Engineering Education: PhD (2015) and MSc (2010) from University of Toronto, BSc (2008) Postdoctoral Training: Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology Dr. Manbachi's research spans the physics of medical ultrasound, therapeutic applications (tumor ablation, neuromodulation), and clinical translation of engineering innovations. His work bridges acoustic physics with real-world deployment in trauma care and neurological disorders. Recent publications highlight advancements in ultrasound elastography for spinal cord tension monitoring, non-contrast blood flow analysis , and neuromodulation for spinal cord injury. His team's implantable ultrasound sensors and wearable devices have achieved FDA breakthrough designation . Awards: AIUM Peter Arger Excellence Award (2024), Hisako Terasaki Young Innovator (2024), Baltimore Business Journal's 40 under 40 (2022-2023), FDA Breakthrough Device (2023), teaching awards Grants: $13.48M DoD award, Johns Hopkins ICTR Career Development Award Patents: 20+ inventions including ultrasonic bone imaging systems and flexible focused ultrasound transducers As co-founder of Spinesonics Medical , he has commercialized ultrasound-guided spine surgery technologies. He teaches courses in engineering design, medical imaging, and clinical translation at the Whiting School of Engineering .
Maria Wostrack serves as a Professor and Senior Consultant at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), affiliated with the Munich Center for NeuroSciences - Brain and Mind (MCN). Her primary academic appointment is the Professorship of Translational Neurotechnology, with extensive clinical responsibilities across multiple neurosurgical domains. Her research integrates advanced technological applications into neurosurgical practice, with core expertise in Neuro-oncology, Vascular Neurosurgery, and Spinal Surgery. She pioneers the implementation of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and real-time functional monitoring systems to enhance surgical precision and patient outcomes. Her work emphasizes translational innovation, bridging laboratory discoveries with clinical applications through specialized working groups. Prof. Wostrack leads or actively participates in six key collaborative units: the Neuro-Oncology Group, Vascular Neurosurgery Working Group, Skull Base Working Group, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Neurosurgery initiative, Spine Working Group, and Functional Neuronavigation and Monitoring team. These groups drive interdisciplinary research focused on developing next-generation neurosurgical techniques while maintaining direct clinical engagement through outpatient clinics and international patient services.
Ille S. is a researcher at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, Germany, specializing in neuroscience and brain tumor research. With publications spanning from 2022 to 2025, Ille is actively contributing to the understanding of brain tumors, neurosurgery techniques, and cancer neuroscience. Ille's research focuses on several key areas in neuro-oncology: Brain tumor molecular profiling and diagnostics Neuron-cancer interactions and tumor network biology Spinal tumor surgery and reconstruction techniques Pediatric neurosurgery for eloquent brain areas Recent work demonstrates a strong trend toward understanding the complex interactions between brain tumors and neural networks, with implications for developing neuroscience-informed cancer therapies. Ille's research bridges clinical neurosurgery with fundamental neuroscience to improve diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies for brain tumor patients. Ille has collaborated with numerous researchers across multiple institutions, contributing to high-impact publications in journals such as Nature Medicine, Cancer Discovery, and Acta Neurochirurgica.
Weierstrass Institute for Applied Analysis and StochasticsGermany
Prof. Dr. med. Ulrich-Wilhelm Thomale serves as Head of Paediatric Neurosurgery at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin's Campus Virchow Clinic, where he leads clinical research integrating robotics, miniature endoscopic cameras, and Augmented Reality to enhance surgical precision for infants and children. His work focuses on treating rare neurological conditions including brain tumors, cerebrospinal fluid disorders, and spinal malformations through minimally invasive techniques. Thomale's research emphasizes technological innovation in pediatric neurosurgery, particularly developing computer-assisted methods that reduce anesthesia time while increasing surgical accuracy. His team's international network collaborates on rare disease treatment protocols, with notable work on endoscopic techniques for neonatal intracranial procedures that gained worldwide scientific attention. He advocates for interdisciplinary cooperation across Berlin's dense research landscape to advance clinical outcomes. As a Brain City Berlin Ambassador, Thomale leverages Berlin's extensive university network for technical and cultural research collaborations. His clinical work directly informs his research on making pediatric neurosurgical interventions shorter and gentler, utilizing virtual surgical planning and AR-guided procedures based on MRI imaging. He completed medical studies in Tübingen, Vienna, the US, and Berlin, receiving his doctorate from Charité in 2001 after researching traumatic brain injuries.
Dr. Sami H. Tuffaha serves as Associate Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine with cross-appointments in Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, and Biomedical Engineering. He directs the Johns Hopkins Peripheral Nerve Surgery Center and maintains an active clinical practice specializing in hand and upper extremity surgery with emphasis on microsurgery and peripheral nerve disorders. His clinical expertise spans treatment of hand and wrist trauma, arthritis, vascular disorders, tendon injuries, and peripheral nerve conditions, including surgical restoration of function in patients with paralysis from spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and stroke. Dr. Tuffaha completed his medical education at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (MD, 2011), followed by residency training in the Johns Hopkins/University of Maryland Plastic and Reconstructive Training Program (2018), and fellowship training in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine with emphasis on Microsurgery and Peripheral Nerve Surgery (2019). He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (2020) and maintains active clinical practice at the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center. His research program focuses on developing novel therapies to enhance functional recovery from nerve injuries, with particular emphasis on peripheral nerve regeneration and treatment/prevention of symptomatic neuromas. Dr. Tuffaha leads a comprehensive research initiative that integrates basic science, translational work, and clinical trials aimed at advancing care for patients with peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries. His laboratory investigates growth factors, biomaterials, and nanotechnology approaches to improve nerve regeneration and functional outcomes after nerve injuries. Analysis of Dr. Tuffaha's recent publications reveals a strong focus on translational research bridging basic science discoveries with clinical applications. His work spans multiple domains including nerve regeneration mechanisms, surgical techniques for nerve repair and transfer, management of neuromas, and rehabilitation strategies for nerve injuries. A notable trend is his increasing investigation into pharmacological approaches (such as growth hormone, IGF-1, and agrin) to enhance nerve regeneration and prevent complications of denervation. J. Leonard Goldner Pioneer Research Award, American Society for Surgery of the Hand (2016) Adrian Flatt Basic Science Research Award, American Federation for Surgery of the Hand (2016) Discovery Award, Johns Hopkins University (2018, 2020) Dr. Chi-Tsung Su, M.D., Memorial Research Award, Johns Hopkins Department (2018) Scholarly Concentrations Excellence in Mentoring Award (2020) Cohen Translational Engineering Award (2021) Gelberman Scholar Award, American Society for Surgery of the Hand (2022) ASPN Travelling Fellowship, American Society for Peripheral Nerve (2022) Dr. Tuffaha serves as principal investigator for multiple research grants focused on nerve regeneration and peripheral nerve injury treatment. His research program includes over 180 publications with more than 39,000 reads and 2,000+ citations on ResearchGate. He has co-chaired major society meetings including the American Society for Peripheral Nerve (2023) and American Association for Hand Surgery (2020). His mentorship activities include the Scholarly Concentrations program at Johns Hopkins where he received the Excellence in Mentoring Award in 2020. Dr. Tuffaha leads the Johns Hopkins Peripheral Nerve Surgery Center, which integrates expertise from plastic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, neurology, pain medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. His research laboratory focuses on developing strategies to enhance nerve regeneration, including growth factor delivery systems, biomaterials, and novel surgical techniques. Current projects include clinical trials assessing therapeutic agents for nerve injury and translational work on nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for peripheral nerve repair.
Daniel Kido, MD, is a Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Radiology at the School of Medicine. His expertise lies in advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques, particularly susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), with applications in pediatric and adult neurological conditions including stroke, dementia, traumatic brain injury, and neonatal brain disorders. His research interests center on neuroradiology , brain iron metabolism , cerebral microbleeds , hypoxic-ischemic injury , and MR spectroscopy . He has extensively studied the role of SWI in detecting microhemorrhages in dementia and trauma, visualizing deep medullary veins in infants, and assessing cerebral oxygenation using QSM. His work bridges clinical imaging with neuropathological validation, especially in neurodegenerative diseases. The trend in his recent publications shows a strong focus on quantitative neuroimaging biomarkers for predicting outcomes in stroke, dementia, and pediatric trauma. His work increasingly integrates preclinical models (e.g., neonatal piglets) with human studies to validate imaging findings. Collaborations with experts like E. M. Haacke and J. P. Jacobson highlight his role in advancing SWI as a clinical and research tool. No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text. Dr. Kido has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and conference presentations, often in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. While no formal advising or grant information is listed, his long-standing research output suggests significant involvement in academic mentorship and funded research. He has played a key role in developing and validating high-resolution MRI techniques for detecting occult vascular lesions and brain injury. He is part of a prominent neuroimaging research group focused on SWI development and clinical translation , working closely with physicists and neurologists to expand the diagnostic utility of MRI in neurological disorders.
Brigitte Tampin is an Honorary Professor of International Physiotherapy at Hochschule Osnabrück, University of Applied Sciences, and an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at Curtin University. She holds a part-time Advanced Scope Physiotherapist role at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital's Neurosurgery Spinal Clinic. Her work bridges clinical practice and research in neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, focusing on neuropathic pain mechanisms and quantitative sensory testing (QST). Tampin earned her PhD from Curtin University (2012) and has over 30 years of clinical experience, including academic roles at Curtin University and the Hochschule Osnabrück. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (Physiotherapy), Curtin University, 2012 Master of Science (Physiotherapy), Curtin University, 1998 Certificate in Physiotherapy, University of Göttingen, 1982 Research Interests: Neuro-musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic pain assessment, spinal pain syndromes, clinical classification systems, and QST validation. She pioneered QST labs at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Hochschule Osnabrück. Grants & Awards: 2021: Charities Foundation Grant ($5,000 AUD) 2019: Western Australia Health Research Grant ($33,094 AUD) 2016: Contribution as an Emergent Researcher (APA) 1999: ZVK Scientific Award (Germany) Key Contributions: Developed clinical frameworks for spinal pain, validated painDETECT and DN4 screening tools, and advanced neurodynamic testing methodologies. Her research has informed international clinical guidelines for neuropathic pain classification. Labs/Teams: Leads QST research at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Hochschule Osnabrück, collaborating with global networks like NeuPSIG.
University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfGermany
Prof. Dr. med. Manfred Westphal is a renowned neurosurgeon and Director of the Department of Neurosurgery at the Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). He holds a professorial position within the Faculty of Medicine and specializes in neuro-oncology, brain tumor treatment, and vascular neurosurgery. His expertise includes surgical management of complex neurological conditions such as gliomas, meningiomas, and aneurysms. Affiliations: UKE, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery Roles: Director of Department, Medical Specialist in Neurosurgery, Special Neurosurgical Intensive Care Research focuses on molecular mechanisms of brain tumors, immunotherapeutic approaches, and surgical outcomes for cerebrovascular disorders. Over 200 peer-reviewed publications highlight contributions to neuro-oncology, extracellular vesicle biomarkers, and neurosurgical innovations. His work bridges clinical practice and translational research, addressing challenges in glioblastoma therapy, meningioma classification, and spinal tumor management. Active in global neurosurgical communities, he contributes to guideline development and international multicenter studies.
Dr. Frank Niemeyer is a Researcher at the University of Ulm's Ulm Center for Scientific Computing. He has been a Postdoc and UZWR employee since 2005, contributing to computational biomechanics and medical imaging research. His work focuses on fracture healing simulations, spinal disorders, and AI-driven medical analysis. Education: Diploma in Informatics (2007): Thesis on algorithms for fracture healing evaluation (in German) PhD (2013): Dissertation on 'Simulation of Fracture Healing' (English) Research Interests : Computational Biomechanics, Mathematical Biology, Systems Biology, and Scientific Computing. His projects include developing AI models for spinal MRI analysis, predicting bone healing outcomes, and optimizing surgical implants using simulations. Articles Trends : Recent work emphasizes AI applications in musculoskeletal imaging (e.g., automated segmentation of lumbar muscles) and biomechanical modeling of spinal disorders. Key studies address cervical spine degeneration, Modic changes, and fracture healing prediction. Awards : ISSLS Prize in Bioengineering Science (2021) Lab/Teams : Core member of the Ulm Center for Scientific Computing, collaborating on projects like 'InstantSpine' and 'METAmorph' simulation frameworks.
University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfGermany
PD Dr. Jakob Matschke is a researcher at the Institute of Neuropathology of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). With over 187 publications, his work spans critical areas in neuropathology , neuroimmunology , and neurodegenerative diseases . Current Affiliation: Institute of Neuropathology, UKE Research Themes: Brain tumor biology, post-COVID-19 neurological effects, prion diseases, immune-tumor interactions, and neurodegenerative tauopathies His research on malignant gliomas explores somatic mutations in HLA class genes and antigen presentation mechanisms, while recent studies on SARS-CoV-2 examine neuroinflammatory scars and blood-brain barrier dysregulation. Collaborations include teams in clinical immunology (C3i) and the Neuro-Immune Network Hamburg . Key trends in his 15 most recent articles (2022-2025) include: Neuro-oncology: Tumor growth kinetics, glioblastoma survival disparities, spinal cord tumors Neuro-immunology: CD4 T cell responses, MPXV immune evasion, post-COVID-19 microglial activation Neurodegeneration: Prion protein shedding, TDP-43 cross-seeding, anti-IgLON5 disease pathology Prominent methodologies involve epigenomics , spatial immune mapping , and RT-QuIC assays for prion detection. His work often intersects clinical case studies with translational research, particularly in postmortem analyses of infectious and degenerative neurological conditions.
Prof. Bernhard Meyer is a Professor of Neurosurgery at the Technische Universität München (TUM), leading the Chair of Neurosurgery since 2006. His research focuses on vascular, oncological, and spinal neurosurgery, with notable contributions to stereotactic radiotherapy for brain metastases and spinal tumor management. Meyer studied medicine at the Universities of Padua and Erlangen-Nürnberg, with international training at institutions like the Northwestern University in Chicago and completed his habilitation in neurosurgery at the University of Bonn. Professional roles include former President of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wirbelsäulenchirurgie (2019) and leadership in EuroSpine and the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies. His work emphasizes translational research, surgical innovation, and clinical outcomes in neuro-oncology and spinal disorders. Key publications address tumor control strategies, surgical techniques for spinal pathologies, and the impact of biotic factors on neurological conditions. Education: MD: Universities of Padua (Italy) and Erlangen-Nürnberg (Germany) PhD: Institute of Human Genetics, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (1989) Neurosurgical Training: Tübingen, Duisburg, Bonn, with international stints in Zurich and Phoenix, AZ Meyer’s research integrates clinical practice with cutting-edge technologies, such as radiomics and robotic-assisted surgery. His studies on postoperative outcomes, such as in cerebellar infarction and spinal infections, highlight his commitment to improving patient care through evidence-based practices.
