Tony is a Clinican Scientist and serves as a W3-Professor of Hepatology at Uniklinik RWTH Aachen and as a Senior Consultant Hepatologist at the Medical Department III of the Aachen University Hospital. He holds board certifications in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Infectious Disease, and Transplant Medicine.

His research interests include:

1. Ascites, peritoneal immunity, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
2. Immunological mediation of inflammation and organ failure in chronic liver diseases
3. Macrophage biology, innate-like T-cells, and leukocyte migration
4. Disease progression in liver cirrhosis and primary biliary cholangitis

His clinical focus areas are:

1. Portal hypertension and complications of  cirrhosis
2. Liver transplantation
3. Infectious Disease
4. Autoimmune and cholestatic liver diseases

Tony is a Principal Investigator in the DFG Collaborative Research Center "SFB1382 Gut-Liver Axis" and has lead translational research within the DFG Research Training Group GRK1715 "Molecular Signatures of Adaptive Stress Responses" and the IFB "Center for Sepsis Control and Care." He has contributed to more than 170 scientific publications in the fields of Hepatology, Gastroenterology, Inflammation, and Infectious Disease. He has also served as a speaker for the DGVS Working Group "Complications of Cirrhosis" (2021 to 2023) and the DGVS Working Group "Young Gastroenterology" (2015 to 2017). 

Oluwatomi is a postdoctoral immunobiologist specialized in immune cell subsets in health and disease states. She earned her Ph.D. by investigating unconventional T-cell subsets in patients with decompensated liver disease during bacterial infections. Currently, her research focuses on the roles of resident CD8 and CD4 T cells in liver pathologies. She aims to decode the intricate interactions among immune system cells, understand their modulation by diseases, and explore their potential for therapeutic applications.

Johanna is a graduate biologist specializing in T-helper cells and macrophage biology in patients with cirrhosis. She recently pivoted her research focus to explore the immunomodulatory effects of bile acids in the peritoneal cavity. This transition exemplifies her adaptability and dedication to broadening her scientific acumen.

After earning his Master's in Molecular Life Science from Maastricht University, Mick is soon to complete his PhD investigating the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in cholestatic liver injury. He has since joined the team, focusing on the impact of miRNAs and neutrophil biology in chronic liver disease. Mick has a keen interest in bioinformatics analysis, particularly on large data sets.

Karsten is a physician-in-training specializing in bacterial infections, liver health, and transplant medicine. He has published research on the prognostic implications of Enterococci in liver abscesses. Currently, he is advancing his MD thesis, which centers on identifying genetic risk factors contributing to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Majda earned her master's degree in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Cagliari in Italy, where she investigated the role of the neuropeptide VGF in the mesencephalon. In 2023, Majda joined our lab to pursue her PhD, focusing on studying the differences between sterile injury-driven and bacterial infection-driven phase transition in alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Frederic is a physician-in-training at Aachen University Hospital. He earned his medical degree with a thesis on the effects of gasotransmitters in kidney disease. Currently, Frederic is engaged in translational research projects, specifically focusing on intestinal barrier function in cirrhosis.

Mohamad is a physician-in-training in internal medicine and gastroenterology, particularly interested in Infectious Disease. He is currently working on his MD thesis, focusing on the prognostic significance of HDL-related biomarkers in ascitic fluid in patients with cirrhosis.