Within the new LOEWE focus "Center for Multiscale Modeling in Life Sciences" (CMMS), the FIAS was able to recruit three new group leaders as Fellows.

Dr. Maria Vittoria Barbarossa has heads the independent research group by the Quandt Foundation for Multiscale Modelling in the Life Sciences since May 1, 2020. Barbarossa, who has a PhD in mathematics, is focusing on the development of mathematical models and methods for the understanding of multiscale processes in immunology and the dynamics of infectious diseases. The first contributions on the corona pandemic, which were developed at the FIAS, have attracted international attention. 

Since April 2020, Dr. Roberto Covino has been an independent research group leader by the Quandt Foundation for the Simulation of Biological Systems. The theoretical biophysicist previously worked at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysics in Frankfurt. In the future, he will focus on the development of methods, including artificial intelligence, and their applications for the quantitative modeling of cellular processes on several scales.  

Dr. Thomas Sokolowski could be recruited from IST Austria and also joined us in April to lead the High Performance Computing in the Life Sciences research group. Within the CMMS project, he will work on molecular dynamics. His main focus will be on the development of efficient methods for modeling and simulating cellular structures using high-performance computers. 

CMMS is a LOEWE focus, which is carried out by FIAS together with partners from Goethe University Frankfurt, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research and Max Planck Institute for Biophysics (both Frankfurt). In this function, the FIAS bundles the manifold Frankfurt activities in the field of multiscale modeling and drives them decisively forward. The aim is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of simple molecular biological processes, such as the mode of action of an enzyme, and the complex behaviour of organisms. 

Due to their expertise, the three new fellows will make an excellent contribution to the networking of experimental and theoretical skills in the life sciences and high-performance computing. In the coming weeks, we will present the Fellows and their research in detail here on the website. 

More information about LOEWE's focus on CMMS can be found on our project page.

More information about the LOEWE initiative of the state of Hessen can be found on ProLoewe.de