Briefly, tell us about your background and career up to this point?
I studied molecular biology and genetics at the University of Vienna (Austria), and then moved to London to do my PhD at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR). After several years staying at home with my children, I retrained as a computer scientist and took on a doctoral bioinformatics job back at the LICR. This led to a visiting position at the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Centre at the ICR. I joined Andrew Tutt when he opened the Breast Cancer Now Unit (formerly Breakthrough Breast Cancer). In 2013 I started my Cancer Bioinformatics team at King’s, that nowadays is composed of bioinformaticians, computer scientists, wet lab scientists, and pathologists. All of us are working on different aspects of deciphering normal, pre-cancerous and cancerous states at the primary tumour and in lymph nodes of breast cancer patients.
What is a typical day like for you?
I like early mornings and a strong coffee! My train takes me to Blackfriars, and I walk to the Cancer Centre along the South Bank. A good friend sometimes joins me on this walk which I truly enjoy. At work, I often start my day by discussing biobank activities with my office neighbour Cheryl Gillett. Nowadays, as the Head of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre & Joint Head of the School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences (interim), I have many meetings with colleagues from King’s, the hospital trusts and participate in diverse committees. Discussing science with my team is always the highlight of my day.
What do you think people in the School would find most surprising about you?
As an Austrian, I started skiing when I was very young. We still try to go as often as possible in Europe and overseas. I enjoy a challenge and had the chance to ski down double diamonds.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Hiking the Annapurna trail
What do you do with your time outside academia/work?
I enjoy being in nature, outside sports & gardening, going to concerts –jazz, classical music, especially choral music
What are you most looking forward to this year?
Like every year, being with family & friends
Who inspires you most and why?
People who go out of their way to help others.
QUICK-FIRE:
Favourite season: Spring
Favourite London restaurant: Hoppers King’s Cross
Favourite book: Biography of Simone de Beauvoir
Favourite scientist: Robert Weinberg
Favourite cuisine: Greek
Describe yourself in three words: ...Austrian-Greek-London