Previous training and experience
I obtained my Master’s degree in molecular microbiology from the University of Graz (Austria). For my Master thesis I worked at the Medical University of Graz in a research group focusing on the host-pathogen interaction of Burkholderia pseudomallei. There I learned to work under BSL-3 conditions and had the chance to further improve my bioinformatics skills that I had acquired during a previous project at the Technical University of Graz. In both projects I
developed analysis pipelines for next-generation sequencing data (RNA-Seq). Alongside my studies at University I did multiple internships in immunology and microbiology research laboratories and in a startup company that works on drug and enzyme discovery (structural biology).
Why I wanted to join the project
The project offers me the opportunity to work in a Europe wide network together with other infectious disease enthusiasts and receive further training in bioinformatics.
About my research project
In my research project I am trying to find Salmonella Typhimurium competitor strains that are able to re-establish colonization resistance after a high-fat/low-fiber diet intervention. By doing so, I will try to improve our knowledge about the ecological niches of Salmonella Typhimurium in the gut.
Other interests
In my leisure time I train partner acrobatics and perform shows at local events in Europe (mainly in Austria).
Contact details: mathiasklausmaria.herzog@biol.ethz.ch
Fame Lab:
Fame Lab is a science communication competition where participants have just three minutes to present a scientific concept in an engaging and accessible way, without the use of slides. To win the competition, participants need to effectively convey their chosen topic with clarity, creativity, and charisma. ESR 4 got involved with this EPE activity and was very successful, winning second prize, which qualified him for the Swiss finals held in Zurich 2023. The audience size was approximately 50 people on site with many more tuned in online.
At the FameLab event semi-finals, ESR 4 explained the concept of colonization resistance to the audience in his talk called “The blindfolded zoo director.
At Famelab finals, ESR4 explained how better understanding the gut microbiome could help us fight the antibiotic resistance crisis in his talk “Table Tennis Tactics: Winning the Gut Microbiome Game.
