Meet the team
Simon Sieber - Scientist
After my undergraduate studies in biological and organic chemistry at EPFL, I started working in the field of natural products isolation in the laboratory of Prof. Deniz Tasdemir at the School of Pharmacy (University College London). I obtained my PhD with Prof. Karl Gademann at the University of Basel and my research focused on the isolation and synthesis of novel compounds produced by bacteria in symbiotic systems. Then, I move to ETHZ for a postdoc with Prof. Shana Sturla investigating the role of microbiota in the formation of carcinogenic compounds. Currently I am a scientific researcher in the laboratory of Prof. Karl Gademann at University of Zürich leading projects on the development of genomic approaches towards the isolation and target identification of secondary metabolites produced by cyanobacteria.
During my free time I enjoy running, cycling, hiking in the Swiss mountain and cooking.
email: simon.sieber@uzh.ch
Ektoras “Hector” Yiannakas - Post Doc
I obtained my MChem (Hons) degree in Medicinal and Biological Chemistry at University of Edinburgh (UoE), UK. During my undergraduate studies, I undertook an industrial placement with GSK (Stevenage), working on novel cross-coupling methodologies and on the multi-step synthesis of kinase inhibitors. My master’s thesis ("Sequential and Tandem Arylation Protocols for the Synthesis of Triaryls") was carried out under the supervision of Prof. Guy Lloyd-Jones FRS. I completed my doctoral studies under the supervision of Prof. Alison N. Hulme (UoE) and Prof. Alois Fürstner (Max-Planck Institute für Kohlenforschung). My PhD thesis focused on the development of a novel family of alkyne metathesis catalysts and the total synthesis of antimalarial macrodiolide samroiyotmycin A via a one-pot alkyne cross-metathesis ring-closing metathesis approach. Outside the lab, I enjoy traveling and cooking.
Kleinberg Fernandez - Post Doc
I obtained my Bachelor's and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Alberta. Under the supervision of Prof. John Vederas, I studied the therapeutic potential of apelin peptides as drug targets for cardiovascular disease treatment. In addition, I performed comprehensive analyses of antifungal lipopeptides produced by Bacillus during daqu fermentation. Lastly, I performed biological studies to determine the biocontrol potential of Beauveria bassiana against the mountain pine beetle epidemic in Canada. After my Ph.D. studies, I joined the Gademann lab in December 2023 as a post-doc. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, volleyball, hiking, karate, and music.
email: kleinberg.fernandez@uzh.ch
Gleb Chesnokov - PhD Student
I studied Chemistry at Lomonosov Moscow State University, and did my Master thesis in the group of Prof. Mikhail Nechaev on the synthesis of indoles. During my undergraduate studies I did two internships in transition metal catalysis: at Kyoto University (Japan) and the University of Goettingen (Germany). In September 2019 I joined the Gademann group as a PhD student to work on the total synthesis of natural products.
email: gleb.chesnokov@chem.uzh.ch
Ke Chen - PhD Student
I obtained my bachelor degree of Pharmaceutical science from the Aix-Marseille University. I then studied chemistry at the University of Lille and the Sorbonne University. During my master, I did two internships at KU Leuven, Belgium and University of Rome: La Sapienza in medicinal chemistry. My master thesis was in the field of Ir-catalyzed enantioselective C-H amidation with Prof. Nicolai Cramer at EPFL. I moved to the Gademann group in November 2019 for a PhD. Outside the lab I enjoy traveling.
email: ke.chen@uzh.ch
Till Steiner - PhD Student
I joined the Gademann group in 2018 to do my Bachelor’s in the field of CO2 capture, followed by a Master’s thesis on the synthesis of natural product derivatives. In 2020 I returned to the Gademann group as a PhD student to work on the total synthesis of natural products. Outside the lab I enjoy skiing, visiting rock concerts and discovering the alps on my motorcycle.
email: till.steiner@uzh.ch
Jiajun (JJ) Ren 任家俊 - PhD Student
I was trained as a synthetic and medicinal chemist at Imperial College London, during which I did a one-year industrial placement at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Stevenage working on lead optimisation and chemical biology projects. I then returned back to Imperial and finished my Master thesis with Prof. Ed Tate, working on PROTACs for human N-myristoyltransferases. After obtaining a first-class MSci degree, I worked with Prof. Ramon Vilar and Dr. Marco Di Antonio at Imperial to investigate the proteins interacting with G-quadruplex DNA via metal complexes and chemical biology approaches, which led to a Master degree in chemical biology. In November 2020, I joined in the Gademann group as a PhD student to study NONOate in bacterial signalling pathway. Outside research, I enjoy playing basketball, badminton and Esports.
email: jiajun.ren@chem.uzh.ch
Daria Morina - PhD Student
After having obtained my Bachelors degree at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University in Ukraine, I moved to Zurich to get my master’s degree at ETH. I wrote my master’s thesis in Prof. Morandi’s research group on the synthesis of molecular cages and macro cycles via C - S bond metathesis. In February 2021 I joined the group of Prof. Gademann as a PhD student. Outside the lab I enjoy cooking, dancing, traveling and playing badminton.
email: daria.morina@chem.uzh.ch
Isabella Ferrara - PhD Student
I received my Master's degree in biochemistry from the University of Heidelberg. During my previous research internships at the Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center, the EMBL Heidelberg, the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, the University of Notre Dame (IN, USA) and Merck Healthcare KGaA (Darmstadt), I became passionate about Early Drug Development and especially the Medicinal Chemistry part of it. I joined the Gademann Group in March 2021 and am excited to work on semisynthetic derivatives in order to develop next-generation antibiotics during my PhD. Outside the lab I like to travel, to bake and photography.
email: isabella.ferrara@chem.uzh.ch
Erik Jung - PhD Student
I studied chemistry at the University of Freiburg and completed my bachelor thesis in the Streuff lab. Then I moved to Basel, where I did a 12-month internship in the Medicinal Chemistry department of Hoffmann - La Roche. This work motivated me to join the Master in Chemical and Molecular Sciences and to carry out my master thesis in this lab working on semisynthetic antibiotics. Now, I am continuing this work as a PhD student. Outside of the lab I enjoy cooking, and mixing cocktails.
email: erik.jung@uzh.ch
Micha Hofer - PhD Student
After having obtained my Bachelor's degree at the University of Zürich, I joined Dottikon Exclusive Synthesis for a brief internship. Then, I returned to the University of Zürich for my Master's studies, conducting my Master's Thesis in the group of Dr. Ilija Coric in the field of non-directed C-H activation. I joined the Gademann Group in May of 2021 to pursue a PhD in the Total Synthesis of Natural Products. Outside the lab, I enjoy traveling and hockey.
email: micha.hofer@uzh.ch
Sven Jänner - PhD Student
I received my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Heidelberg with a thesis focused on RNA imaging in the Jäschke group. Before starting my Master’s degree, I worked in technical development at Jungbunzlauer GmbH and continued doing so as a working student during my studies. I pursued my Master’s thesis in the Miller group at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), where I completed the first total synthesis of emeriones A-C, before moving to Basel for the Roche Internship in Medicinal Chemistry (RiCH). Inspired by these experiences, I joined the Gademann group in August 2022 to work on the total synthesis of natural products. Outside the lab I enjoy playing football, fitness and traveling.
email: sven.jaenner@chem.uzh.ch
Nicola Jelmini - PhD Student
Under the guidance of Prof. Gademann I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in chemistry in summer of 2020. Thereafter I moved to ETHZ for my Master’s where I did two research internships in the group of Prof. Morandi and in the R&D department at Linnea SA in Riazzino (Ticino). I joined the Carreira Group for my Master’s thesis where I worked on the stereoselective preparation of Mutanobactin D derivatives. In November 2022 I returned to the Gademann group as a PhD student to pursue my passion for the total synthesis of natural products. Outside the lab I enjoy hiking and icehockey.
email: nicola.jelmini@uzh.ch
Marco Schellenberg - PhD Student
I received my undergraduate education at the University of Zurich, where I studied Chemistry and Environmental Studies. During my Bachelor’s thesis — working on the total synthesis of a diterpenoid glucoside in the Gademann group — I discovered my passion for synthetic organic chemistry. I happily stayed for my Master’s thesis and conducted studies on the synthesis of a RiPP antibiotic. Now, I pursue the total synthesis of a polyketide natural product as a part of my PhD studies. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, snowboarding and practising Krav Maga.
email: marco.schellenberg@uzh.ch
Anastassia Kraimps - PhD Student
After completing two years of preparatory classes in France, I joined the engineering school ESPCI-Paris, from which I obtained my “Diplôme d’Ingénieur” in 2021. I then moved to Zürich to pursue a Master’s degree in chemistry at ETH. Eager to develop my skills in organic synthesis, I joined the Gademann group in October 2022 to complete my Master’s thesis. I worked on semisynthetic derivatives of an antibiotic and I am now continuing this project as a PhD student. In my free time, I enjoy running, figure-skating, baking and gardening.
Florian Zielke - PhD Student
During my undergraduate studies at Radboud University, the Netherlands, I found my passion for organic and medicinal chemistry. During my research internships at Radboud, I worked on small molecule drug discovery projects under the guidance of Prof. Floris Rutjes. I finished my Master’s degree with a stay in the Shenvi-Lab at Scripps Research synthesizing natural product analogs. Inspired by this, I joined the Gademann Group in September 2023. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and boardgames.
email: florian.zielke@chem.uzh.ch
Patrik Pedrotti - PhD Student
With a phytochemical study of "Achillea Erba-Rotta Moscata", an alpine herb, I received my Bachelor's degree in Chemistry at the University of Pavia (Italy). Then, I continued my studies there where I joined the Sarlah/B2 Lab for my Master's thesis. I spent eight months in the group working on the synthesis of novel piperidine and piperazine bioisosteres through the dearomatization of pyridines. After receiving my Master's diploma in July 2023, I joined the Gademann Group as a Marie Curie PhD Candidate in September. Here I am part of the HOTBIO Project and I'm working on the total synthesis of marine alkaloids. I like football, meditation, ethnic food, and cooking with my pasta maker.
email: patrik.pedrotti@chem.uzh.ch
Ivan Kolodieiev - Master Student
I obtained my Bachelors degree from the Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv in 2022. Then I moved to Zurich to join the Master Program in Chemical and Molecular Sciences in the group of Prof. Gademann. During my undergraduate studies I worked at Enamine Ltd as a synthetic chemist, engaging predominantly on the synthesis of saturated heterobicyclic compounds as perspective building blocks for medicinal chemistry. In my free I enjoy cycling, hiking, and playing computer games.
email: ivan.kolodieiev@uzh.ch
Jari Alge - Master Student
I received my bachelor’s degree in 2022 from the University of Zurich, where I did my Bachelor thesis in the Juríček Group, in which I worked in the field of polyaromatic systems. After working in the Automotive sector at DuPont, I joined the Gademann Group for my Master’s thesis. Currently I am performing studies on an antibiotic. Outside the lab I enjoy snowboarding, surfing and tennis.
email: jari.alge@uzh.ch
Francis Carta - Master Student
I obtained my bachelor’s degree of chemistry at the University of Zurich. I did my bachelor’s thesis in the Juríček Lab where I worked on polyaromatic hydrocarbons. In March 2023 I joined the Gademann group to work on the total synthesis of natural products. Outside of the lab I enjoy running, reading and playing computer games.
email: francisjosto.carta@uzh.ch
Veronika Avramenko - Visting Student
I am in the process of completing my Bachelors studies at the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (KPI) in Chemical Technology and Engineering. During my studies, I joined the Institute of Organic Chemistry of the NAS of Ukraine for a short internship. After that, I had another six month of internship at Enamine Ltd. In May 2022, I joined the group of Prof. Gademann for an internship, working on biologically relevant organic compounds. Apart from working at the lab I enjoy yachting, painting, and cooking.
email: veronika.avramenko@uzh.ch
Megan Wiedenkeller - Master Student
I obtained my Bachelor's degree at the University of Zurich in 2023, where I joined the Gademann group in 2022 for my Bachelor's thesis working on semisynthethic antibiotics. For my Master's thesis I returned to the group of Prof. Gademann to work on the total synthesis of natural products. In my free time, I enjoy climbing, hiking and organizing summer camps.
email: megan.wiedenkeller@uzh.ch
Sophie Lutz - Master Student
I received my Bachelor degree in the winter of 2023 from the University of Zurich, after I finished my bachelor‘s thesis with Prof. Dr. Nina Hartrampfs group. There, I studied cell-penetration of lasso peptide conjugates using light-cleavable CPPs. In September 2023 I joined the Gademann group to work on the total synthesis of natural products. Outside of the lab I enjoy dancing, surfing, skiing and reading.
email: sophie.lutz@uzh.ch
Anja Eugster - Master Student
In 2022, I received my Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Business Studies from the University of Zurich. During my Bachelor’s thesis, I worked in the group of Prof. Nina Hartrampf, focusing on the synthesis of a peptide with anticipated antibiotic activity. To further pursue my interest in antibiotics, I joined the Gademann group in summer 2023 for my Master's thesis, where I am now working on the total synthesis of an antibiotic. Outside the lab, I enjoy skiing, hiking and gardening.
email: anja.eugster2@uzh.ch
Juliette Corboz - Master Student
I received my bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Zurich in 2023. I completed my bachelor thesis in 2022 in the Holland group where I synthesised a copper-zirconium catenane. To pursue my interests in organic chemistry and work on my synthetic skills I joined the Gademann group for my master thesis in September 2023. In my free time, I like to be outside and do different kinds of sports like running, volleyball, tennis, and skiing.
email: juliette.corboz@uzh.ch
Cedrik Heinzmann - Apprentice
I started my apprenticeship in the Summer of 2021 as a lab technician in the teaching lab at the University of Zürich. After I completed my first course, I joined the Gademann Group at the beginning of 2022. For the rest of my apprenticeship, I work for Micha. In my free time, I play Ice-Hockey, like swimming, and go hiking a lot. I also enjoy playing games like Poker or Chess.
email: cedrik.heinzmann@chem.uzh.ch
Annika Altorfer - Apprentice
I started my apprenticeship as a lab technician at the University of Zurich in the summer of 2022. After the first course in the teaching lab, I joined the group in January 2023, where I work for Isabella. I am in the lab only three days a week, because I have to go to school. In my free time I do gymnastics and like it to bake.
email: annika.altorfer@chem.uzh.ch