Michaela Prothiwa

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor (TTZAPBOF) in Chemical Biology
Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry (UAMC), University of Antwerp

As a assistant professor in Chemical Biology, I lead research that bridges chemistry and biology to address fundamental questions in biomedical science. My group focuses on developing innovative chemical tools to study host-pathogen interactions, aiming to advance both diagnostics and therapeutics.

About Me

I am a passionate scientist with a strong background in chemical biology and a commitment to advancing both research and education. My academic journey spans some of the world’s leading institutions, where I have worked at the cutting edge of chemical tool development and biological research.

Academic Background

  • Master’s Degree:
    I earned my Master’s degree from LMU Munich, where I developed a strong foundation in chemical biology. My master’s thesis was conducted under the guidance of Prof. Alan Saghatelian at Harvard University.

  • PhD Studies:
    I pursued my PhD in the laboratory of Prof. Thomas Böttcher at the University of Konstanz (Germany). My graduate research centered on developing chemical tools to investigate virulence-related enzymes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia species, advancing our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis.

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship:
    As a DFG Postdoctoral Fellow, I joined the lab of Prof. Steven Verhelst at KU Leuven (Belgium). My research focused on designing chemical probes for imaging the paracaspase MALT1 in human immune cells.

 

Passion for Science Communication and Mentorship

Beyond the lab, I am deeply dedicated to science communication, mentorship, and education. I believe in making science accessible and inspiring the next generation of researchers. Through outreach, collaboration, and teaching, I aim to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the scientific process.