I was born in Izmir (Turkey) and got my university degree from Middle East Technical University. I also finished my Master`s in Science degree in the same University Biotechnology Department, which was about molecular characterization of Blumeria graminis f. sp. Hordei using AFLP markers. I worked in a private company, which is specialized in rare molecular genetic diseases and cancer as a molecular biologist and bio-analyst, but sequencing and analyzing the mutations was not enough for me and I could not stop thinking about the reasons behind those mutations. So here I am! I am so happy to be a part of Arkan group. I am studying microbiome and glycans as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, and Microbiome profile changes in patients with GI cancers. In my spare times I go on experimenting in my kitchen or have long walks.

After earning a bachelor's degree in Biotechnologies from the University of Versailles in 2007, Alan began working at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Orléans. There, in the laboratory of Professor Claudine Kieda, Alan contributed to developing a cell-mediated gene therapy targeting tumor angiogenesis. In 2013, Alan joined the laboratory of Dr. Philippe Chavrier at Institut Curie in Paris, where he focused on studying the transition of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive breast carcinoma. In 2017, Alan relocated to Lausanne, Switzerland, to become the lab manager in Professor Michele De Palma's laboratory. He played a key role in researching the tumor microenvironment in lung cancer and in developing a new dendritic cell vaccine approach (EVIR). By 2024, Alan joined Professor Arkan's lab as a research technician.

I am Zeynep from Istanbul, Turkey. I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Genetics and Bioengineering from Yeditepe University in 2019. I then pursued a Master's degree at Boğaziçi University, where I worked under the guidance of Dr. Tolga Sütlü. My Master's thesis focused on the co-receptor-mediated regulation of T-cell receptor signalling in natural killer cells. In June 2023, I joined AG Arkan as a Ph.D. student. My current research is focused on unravelling the connection between dietary patterns and the structure and function of the microbiota during cancer and its treatment, with a special interest in understanding the intricate mechanisms of immune responses. I enjoy travelling, film festivals and art galleries in my spare time.

Hola, this is Angeles from Gran Canaria, Spain but living abroad for so many years already. I started my adventure at Coventry University where I got my BSc in Biology, after that I moved to Germany and - coincidence of life - GSH was the first place where I started to work in the lab of Dr. Manuel Grez´ group. My deep knowledge working as a Lab Research Assistant was acquired at Max Planck Institute for Brain Research at Dr. Gilles Laurent´s group where molecular biology and cell culture techniques together with working with turtles and lizards was my focus. Now I am here again being part of GSH and having the opportunity to get further in my career and working with in vitro tool systems to model host-microbiome interaction. As I am coming from an Island, I love to spend my time outside with friends and meeting people from different countries.