Group Leader
Phuong-Hien Nguyen, PhD
hien.nguyen@uni-koeln.de
Hien is a cancer cell biologist with training from Heidelberg University, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and the University of Cologne. Her research focuses on uncovering mechanistic signal transduction pathways involved in the crosstalk between tumor cells and the surrounding microenvironment, aiming to translate these fundamental insights into potential new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
Assistants
Rebekka Zölzer, BTA
rebekka.zoelzer@uk-koeln.de
Rebekka brings deep expertise in in vivo experimentation and contributes to a wide range of scientific projects in the lab. She supports and maintains laboratory operations to ensure an efficient research environment.
Doctoral Students
Mila Lobastova, MSc.
liudmila.lobastova1@uk-koeln.de
Mila studied Biology in Bonn and Cologne, where she developed a strong interest in cancer immunology. She is currently exploring the mechanistic role of immune checkpoints in leukemogenesis, with the goal of improving the efficacy of immunotherapy for B cell lymphoma.
Luca Schreurs, MSc.
luca.schreurs1@uk-koeln.de
Luca graduated from Düsseldorf and University College London, with a focus on Neurosciences. His current research investigates the intricate immune landscape of brain tumors and metastases, aiming to uncover insights that could inform future therapeutic strategies.
Thanh Tung Truong, MD, MSc.
thanh.truong@uk-koeln.de
Tung is a physician-scientist and pulmonologist with clinical and research training from Vietnam, South Korea, and Australia. His PhD project focuses on the role of macrophage-associated protein tyrosine kinases in promoting lung tumor progression.
Master & Bachelor Students
Anh Duc Pham, BSc.
anh.pham@uk-koeln.de
Duc earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Ohio and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Biochemistry at the University of Cologne. He is interested in uncovering the role of protein tyrosine kinases in tumor-associated macrophages.
Viktoriia Nikolaeva, BSc.
viktoriia.nikolaeva@uk-koeln.de
Viktoriia is an enthusiastic Master’s student in Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the University of Cologne. Her thesis project focuses on T cell–mediated immunity against B cell lymphoma, aiming to advance immune-based lymphoma therapies.
Mervi Kraus, Intern
Mervi is a Bachelor’s student at the University of Freiburg with a keen interest in how the stromal microenvironment shapes cancer immunity.
Associated Scientists
Trong-Hieu Nguyen, PhD
trong-hieu.nguyen@uk-koeln.de
Hieu studied Mathematics and Computer Sciences in Vietnam and France, and earned his PhD in Mathematics from RWTH Aachen University. His work focuses on the computational analysis of complex omics data, with a particular interest in integrative single-cell analytics.
Viktoria Kohlhas, PhD
viktoria.kohlhas@uk-koeln.de
Viktoria studied Biology and earned her PhD in Genetics from the University of Cologne. Her research focuses on kinase activity within the tumor microenvironment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, aiming to uncover molecular mechanisms that drive disease progression.
Alexander F. vom Stein, MD
alexander.vom-stein@uk-koeln.de
Alexander is a physician-scientist at Clinic I for Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne. His research focuses on understanding the role of the tumor microenvironment in lymphoma, with the goal of translating these insights into novel clinical trial concepts and more effective therapies.
