Natalie Varahram

EDUCATION

College / University

Maastricht University

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science

Major Subjects

Molecular and Cell Biology

Country

Germany

Lab Experience

(RT-)qPCR, Western blot, EMSA, IP, ICC/IHC staining, Agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA/RNA isolation and quantification, SDS Page, Primer design, Cell viability assays, Molecular cloning, Spin coating, UCSF Chimera, Bacterial immobilization (surface-imprinted polymers and encapsulation)

Projects / Research

2023: “Challenging Male Sex Bias in Early Clinical Trials: Liver Organoids Exposed to Sex Hormones” (Bachelor Thesis, Dr Rhiannon Grant, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht, Netherlands)
2022: ”Aestuarium – Tackling water scarcity by utilizing genetically modified cyanobacteria for biodesalination” (International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition)

Scholarships / Awards

2023 – 2024:

Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

Throughout my studies, I realized that my main fascination lies in cell signalling and its effects on cellular development. I am not only interested in intercellular communication but also intrigued by other environmental cues that can elicit alterations in the cell’s composition. Generally, I want to pursue fundamental research to understand the patterns and mechanisms that govern life at the cellular level. In my future work, I aim to get a better understanding of the variations between human male and female cells resulting from the distinct environments they are exposed to. I believe that this work is really important due to the existing male bias in biomedical research.