Katja is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science, and the Teaching and Learning lead at the Biology department. Katja leads the BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science programme and line manager for the GTAs at the Biology department.

Katja is the deputy chair of the Health-related Research Ethics Committee (HREC). Katja is a member of VASP. Katja is a University Learning Teaching Fellow (FAS). 

Katja is a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and a Senior Fellow of AdvanceHE (SFHEA).

Katja has previously worked at the Medical School Innsbruck (Austria) and the University of Cologne (Germany) and has been guest scientist at the University of Vienna, University of Tel Aviv and at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry while expanding her expertise into rare genetic skin diseases and prospective causative treatment options.

Katja’s research group studies rare skin conditions, namely autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) with a focus on developing causative treatment strategies. One focus on research is the development of protein replacement therapy for Tgase1-deficient ARCI patients by means of molecular farming.  A second line of research interest is the gene NIPAL4, encoding NIPA4.  

Katja has previously developed 3D skin models for health and ARCI skin which have been patented in in 2009 and are widely used by the dermatological and pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. 3D skin models support the global aim reducing animals in drug development. With an ever-increasing demand to provide vegan skin care products, this research team is now advancing existing 3D skin models and generate animal-components-free modelling systems.

Teaching-led research is informed by student and societal demands: Post-pandemic learning experiences for undergraduate students and career development needs for GTAs.

Katja is the Training School Coordinator for the COST Action CA21108 (Netskinmodels, 20222-2026). This pan-European research and training network, funded by the EU, aims to improve skin modelling applications for research and industry. Skin can be modelled and mimicked throuhg computer tool (in-silico), with bioprinting and organ-on-chip applications and through in-vitro skin modelling technology. Skin models can aid the understanding of diseases, advance drug development and signficant reduce the use of animals in medical and biomedical research. 

Training School invite early career scientstist to in-person and remote training events (all attendance fully paid by COST), covering on-demand topics in skin biology, cell culture and 3D modelling. The Training School Coordinator orchestrates all training events across all 42 COST Action nations.