I grew up in Berlin, Germany and completed a PhD in Neuroscience in Munich before I permanently relocated to the US. My research team studies the cellular and molecular mechanisms that cause the slowly progressing but often permanent changes to brain function after mild Traumatic Brain Injury/ Concussion. Our focus is on glial cells, specifically astrocytes, which play crucial roles in maintaining neuronal health, brain homeostasis and the special characteristics of brain blood vessels.I became a personal development and leadership nerd during my postdoctoral training, initially to increase my competitiveness for faculty appointments. Later I realized that I could use these strategies and tools to create a happier, balanced life AND increase levels of success not only for myself but also for my team and colleagues. I trained as a life coach (2014, 2018, 2022 because there’s always more to learn) to help other academics to achieve similar results and have been coaching my research team and other academics since 2016. My big mission is to change the academic culture from negativity, chronic stress and overwhelm to one where people express their unique brilliance AND live a fun, joyful, happy life by bringing leadership training along with optimism to my research community.