Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Florian Gärtner, PhD
Florian Gaertner is Professor of Cell Migration in Cardiovascular Diseases at LMU Munich and group leader at the Department of Medicine I, LMU University Hospital. He is based at the Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease at LMU Munich.
His research explores the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate cell migration in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. A particular focus of his work is on how platelets, immune cells and megakaryocytes contribute to thrombosis, vascular inflammation, host defence and tissue homeostasis. Through this research, he aims to deepen the understanding of disease mechanisms and identify new therapeutic approaches.
Florian Gaertner studied medicine at the Technical University of Munich. He completed a PhD in Medical Life Science and Technology in the laboratory of Prof. Steffen Massberg, where he investigated platelet biology, thrombosis and autonomous platelet migration. He subsequently spent several years as a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria in the laboratory of Prof. Michael Sixt, further developing his work on cell migration in complex tissue environments. In 2023, he was appointed to his professorship at LMU Munich. In recognition of his scientific achievements, Florian Gaertner has received several major honours, including an ERC Starting Grant and admission to the DFG Heisenberg Programme.
PD Dr. rer. medic Romy Kronstein-Wiedemann
Romy Kronstein-Wiedemann is a private lecturer in Experimental Hematology and Head of the Department of Experimental Transfusion Medicine. She is based by the DRK Blood Donation Service North-East (DRK-Blutspendedienst Nord-Ost gGmbH).
Her research is focused on the study of hematopoietic stem cells, the process of blood farming, and the regulatory mechanisms of ABO blood groups in the context of erythropoiesis. Since the onset of the pandemic, she has also been investigating the pathomechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 and its long-term effects. A particular focus of her work is the in vitro generation of erythrocytes from immortalized precursor cells. Through this research, she aims is to make a substantial contribution to the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
Romy Kronstein-Wiedemann studied biology at Leipzig University. She completed a PhD in Physiology in the laboratory of Prof. Hans-Joachim Schnittler at the Faculty of Medicine at TU Dresden, where she investigated the endothelial barrier function and cell–cell contacts. She subsequently spent three years as a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine of TU Dresden in Prof. Schnittler’s laboratory. In 2011, she moved to the DRK Blood Donation Service North-East in Dresden under the leadership of Prof. Torsten Tonn. Since 2024, she has occupied the position of Head of the Department of Experimental Transfusion Medicine in Dresden. In 2025, she successfully completed her habilitation in the field of Experimental Hematology.
Prof. Dr. med. Claudia Lengerke
Claudia Lengerke is a professor and Medical Director of the Department of Internal Medicine II (Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology) as well as Chair of the Centre for Cell Therapy at Tübingen University Hospital.
Her research focuses in particular on investigating tumour heterogeneity in order to better understand the mechanisms of treatment resistance and relapse and to develop new treatment approaches. Another focus is the development and clinical implementation of innovative cell and gene therapies, including academically produced CAR-T cells, also for autoimmune diseases.
Claudia Lengerke studied medicine in Tübingen and Timișoara and completed her specialist training in internal medicine, haematology and medical oncology, as well as her doctoral thesis and postdoctoral qualification in Tübingen. A defining moment in her scientific career was a research stay of several years on the topic of stem cell biology at Harvard Medical School (2004–2007, Boston, USA). A defining phase of her career was a three-year research fellowship at Harvard Medical School (Boston, USA) in the field of stem cell biology. Before returning to Tübingen, she spent seven years as a professor and senior consultant at the University Hospital of Basel (Switzerland).
In addition to her clinical and research work, she is committed to teaching and supporting the next generation of researchers. She has served as Vice-Dean of the Medical Faculties of Tübingen and Basel, has headed the Talent Academy at the Medical Faculty of Tübingen since 2023, and is the spokesperson for several clinician-scientist programmes.
Professor Johannes Oldenburg, MD, PhD
Johannes Oldenburg is University Professor and Director of the Institute of Experimental Haematology and Transfusion Medicine and the Haemophilia Centre at the University Clinic in Bonn, Germany. His research includes the molecular genetics of blood coagulation factors, specifically haemophilia and vitamin K pathway with more than 700 peer reviewed publications in these fields. He is the recipient of the GTH Alexander Schmidt Award (2002), the Paul-Martini-Award in 2005, the ISTH Biennial Investigator Recognition Award (2007) and the DGTI Emil-von-Behring-Lecture 2025. He served as President of the 26th ISTH Congress in 2017, and has been the President of the GTH from 2019-2023.
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. David Stegner
Short Profile
David Stegner is Professor of Vascular Imaging at the University of Würzburg. His research focuses on the role of platelets in thrombo-inflammation and vascular disease, with a particular emphasis on how platelet–immune cell interactions drive tissue damage in conditions such as ischemic stroke. Using advanced fluorescence imaging approaches, including intravital multiphoton microscopy and light-sheet microscopy, combined with transgenic mouse models, his work aims to visualize and mechanistically dissect platelet function in vivo.
Over the past years, his research has evolved from classical platelet biology and thrombosis to a broader understanding of platelets as central regulators of immune responses and vascular integrity. His group has contributed to uncovering how platelet activation pathways, secretion mechanisms, and adhesion receptors shape thrombo-inflammatory processes across different organ systems. More recently, his work has identified novel platelet-derived structures that exacerbate inflammation, highlighting new mechanisms by which platelets modulate disease progression.
Career and Training
since 2021 Professor (W2) of Vascular Imaging, University of Würzburg
2016 - 2021 Junior group leader, University Hospital Würzburg
2014 - 2016 Postdoctoral Fellow, Rudolf Virchow Center, Würzburg
2012 - 2013 Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg
2011 PhD in Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg
2006 Diploma in Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth
Dr. Moritz Stolla
Dr Stolla’s scientific background encompasses platelet biology, transfusion medicine and thrombosis/haemostasis. After studying medicine at the University of Munich and completing his M.D. thesis at the Technical University of Munich, he undertook his specialist training as a clinical pathologist, including further training in transfusion medicine at Harvard University in Boston. During his research training, he focused on the signalling protein CalDAG-GEFI in blood platelets. With his research group in Seattle at the University of Washington and Bloodworks Northwest, he investigates the biology of platelet storage, including its effects on thrombosis and haemostasis in mouse models and in humans. One of his research interests is understanding the biology of platelets exposed to cold temperatures. His long-term goal is to improve platelet storage. He has received awards from the AABB Foundation, the American Society of Hematology and the American Heart Association. His research is supported by the US Armed Forces and the National Institutes of Health. He is among the leading researchers in basic, translational and clinical transfusion medicine relating to platelets.